easyMultiple Choice
FC0-U71 Practice Question: Set up a small office network with 15 computers
A technician needs to set up a small office network with 15 computers. The computers should be able to communicate with each other and share a single internet connection. Which device is required to enable internet sharing?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse a switch with a router, thinking that a switch can provide internet access because it connects devices, but they overlook that internet sharing requires Layer 3 routing and NAT, which only a router can perform.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Router
A router is required to enable internet sharing because it performs Network Address Translation (NAT), which allows multiple devices on a local network to share a single public IP address provided by the ISP. The router also routes traffic between the local subnet and the internet, making it the essential device for both inter-device communication and internet access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Modem
Why it's wrong here
A modem terminates the ISP link and converts the signal, but it forwards traffic for only one device and performs no NAT or DHCP, so 15 computers cannot share the connection through it. It is tempting because the modem is the physical internet entry point, and it would be correct if only a single host needed connectivity.
- ✗
Hub
Why it's wrong here
A hub repeats every frame out of all ports in one collision domain, so 15 computers share bandwidth and suffer collisions; it also provides no NAT, DHCP or routing for a single internet connection. It is tempting as a cheap way to link machines, and would suit a tiny legacy segment where only basic connectivity is needed.
- ✓
Router
Why this is correct
A router forwards packets between the local subnet and the ISP, performing NAT so all 15 computers share one public IP address. A switch alone only connects devices within the LAN and cannot provide internet sharing, so the router satisfies the single-connection constraint.
- ✗
Switch
Why it's wrong here
A switch forwards frames by MAC address within the LAN but performs no NAT, DHCP or routing, so it cannot share one internet connection among 15 computers. It is tempting because switches are the standard device for connecting office computers, and it would be correct for expanding an existing network that already has a router.
Visual reference
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
One of 988 original FC0-U71 practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This FC0-U71 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the FC0-U71 exam.