This FC0-U61 practice question tests your understanding of infrastructure. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
Hardware Inventory:
- Desktop computer: Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD
- Laptop: Intel Core i3, 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD
- Network printer: HP LaserJet Pro
- Router: Linksys AC1200
- Switch: Netgear 8-port gigabit
Refer to the exhibit. Which of the following components would be used to physically connect the desktop computer to the network?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Switch
A switch is the correct component because it operates at Layer 2 of the OSI model, using MAC addresses to forward frames between devices on the same local area network (LAN). The desktop computer's Ethernet NIC connects via a twisted-pair cable to a switch port, which provides the physical and data-link layer connectivity required for network communication.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Laptop
Why it's wrong here
Laptop is another device.
✗
Network printer
Why it's wrong here
Printer is a device to connect, not a connection device.
✓
Switch
Why this is correct
Switch connects wired devices in a LAN.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Router
Why it's wrong here
Router connects networks, not usually direct to desktop.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the router as the primary connection point for all devices, but the router's LAN interface connects to a switch (or switch module) which actually provides the physical ports for end-user devices like desktop computers.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Switches maintain a MAC address table (CAM table) learned from incoming frames to make forwarding decisions, allowing full-duplex communication and dedicated bandwidth per port. In a typical SOHO network, an unmanaged switch provides plug-and-play connectivity, while managed switches support VLANs, STP, and port security. The desktop's Ethernet cable connects to the switch's RJ-45 port, which auto-negotiates speed (e.g., 1000BASE-T) and duplex settings via the IEEE 802.3ab standard.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the FC0-U61 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Infrastructure — This question tests Infrastructure — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Switch — A switch is the correct component because it operates at Layer 2 of the OSI model, using MAC addresses to forward frames between devices on the same local area network (LAN). The desktop computer's Ethernet NIC connects via a twisted-pair cable to a switch port, which provides the physical and data-link layer connectivity required for network communication.
What should I do if I get this FC0-U61 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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