easyMultiple Choice
FC0-U71 Practice Question: Devices is used to connect multiple computers in…
Which of the following devices is used to connect multiple computers in a local area network and forwards data based on MAC addresses?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse a switch with a hub, assuming both simply connect devices, but the key distinction is that a switch uses MAC addresses to intelligently forward traffic while a hub blindly repeats signals to all ports.
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
✓
Switch
A switch operates at Layer 2 (Data Link Layer) of the OSI model and uses MAC addresses to make forwarding decisions. It maintains a MAC address table (CAM table) to learn which port each device is connected to, allowing it to forward frames only to the specific destination port, reducing collisions and improving network efficiency.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Router
Why it's wrong here
A router forwards between IP subnets using layer-3 addresses, not MAC addresses, so it cannot satisfy the stated requirement within one LAN. It is tempting because routers do connect networks and maintain forwarding tables, and would be correct for interconnecting separate subnets or providing default-gateway routing.
- ✓
Switch
Why this is correct
A switch forwards frames using MAC addresses in its forwarding table, so it satisfies the requirement of connecting multiple computers within one LAN segment. Hubs instead flood every port, and routers forward on IP addresses, so neither matches the MAC-based forwarding constraint stated in the stem.
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Hub
Why it's wrong here
A hub repeats incoming frames out of every other port without reading MAC addresses, so it cannot forward selectively; collisions occur across one shared domain. It is tempting because hubs do physically connect multiple LAN computers, and would suffice only for a tiny, low-traffic segment where broadcast-style repeating is acceptable.
- ✗
Modem
Why it's wrong here
A modem converts between analogue signals on a WAN link and digital data, performing no MAC-address forwarding between LAN hosts. It is tempting because modems do connect a local network to an external provider, and would be the right choice when terminating a broadband or dial-up connection at the network edge.
Quick reference
Access Control Model Comparison
| Model | Acronym | Who Controls Access? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discretionary Access Control | DAC | Resource owner | Small teams, file shares |
| Mandatory Access Control | MAC | System / security labels | Classified govt / military |
| Role-Based Access Control | RBAC | Administrator (via roles) | Enterprise environments |
| Attribute-Based Access Control | ABAC | Policy engine (user + resource attributes) | Fine-grained, dynamic policies |
| Rule-Based Access Control | RuBAC | System rules / ACLs | Firewall rules, network ACLs |
Go deeper
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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.