- A
A: Only one device can transmit at a time to avoid data collisions
This is the definition of a collision domain; collisions occur if two devices transmit simultaneously.
- B
B: All devices share the same IP subnet
Why wrong: Sharing the same subnet defines a broadcast domain, not a collision domain.
- C
C: Broadcast traffic is confined to that segment
Why wrong: This describes a broadcast domain, which is bounded by routers.
- D
D: MAC addresses are resolved to IP addresses
Why wrong: MAC-to-IP resolution is performed by ARP, not related to collision domains.
Question 167 of 520
N10-009 Networking Concepts Practice Question
This N10-009 practice question tests your understanding of networking concepts. 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.
In a network, a collision domain is a network segment where which of the following is true?
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
✓
A: Only one device can transmit at a time to avoid data collisions
In a collision domain, only one device can transmit at a time because if two or more devices transmit simultaneously, their signals collide, corrupting the data. This is a fundamental characteristic of half-duplex Ethernet segments, such as those using hubs or legacy bus topologies, where the medium is shared and CSMA/CD (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection) is used to manage access.
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.
- ✓
A: Only one device can transmit at a time to avoid data collisions
Why this is correct
This is the definition of a collision domain; collisions occur if two devices transmit simultaneously.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
B: All devices share the same IP subnet
Why it's wrong here
Sharing the same subnet defines a broadcast domain, not a collision domain.
When this WOULD be correct
This option would be correct for a question asking: 'What is a characteristic of devices in the same broadcast domain?' or 'In a VLAN, which of the following is true?' where all devices share the same IP subnet.
- ✗
C: Broadcast traffic is confined to that segment
Why it's wrong here
This describes a broadcast domain, which is bounded by routers.
When this WOULD be correct
This option would be correct for a question asking: 'In a network, a broadcast domain is a network segment where which of the following is true?'
- ✗
D: MAC addresses are resolved to IP addresses
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The N10-009 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓A: Only one device can transmit at a time to avoid data collisionsCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
This is the definition of a collision domain; collisions occur if two devices transmit simultaneously.
✗B: All devices share the same IP subnetWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A collision domain is defined by the possibility of frame collisions when multiple devices transmit simultaneously, not by IP subnet membership. Devices on different IP subnets can still be in the same collision domain if connected via a hub or repeater.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
This option would be correct for a question asking: 'What is a characteristic of devices in the same broadcast domain?' or 'In a VLAN, which of the following is true?' where all devices share the same IP subnet.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates often confuse collision domains with broadcast domains or VLANs, mistakenly thinking that sharing an IP subnet implies sharing a collision domain, when in fact collision domains are layer 1 constructs.
✗C: Broadcast traffic is confined to that segmentWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A collision domain is defined by the possibility of data collisions when multiple devices transmit simultaneously; broadcast confinement describes a broadcast domain, not a collision domain.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
This option would be correct for a question asking: 'In a network, a broadcast domain is a network segment where which of the following is true?'
Why candidates choose this
Candidates often confuse collision domains with broadcast domains because both involve segmentation, and the term 'confined' seems similar to limiting collisions.
✗D: MAC addresses are resolved to IP addressesWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
In a collision domain, the key issue is data collisions from simultaneous transmissions, not MAC-to-IP resolution. MAC-to-IP resolution is performed by ARP, which is unrelated to collision domains.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
This option would be correct for a question like: 'Which protocol resolves MAC addresses to IP addresses?' or 'What is the function of ARP in a network?'
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse collision domains with address resolution concepts, thinking that resolving addresses is necessary to avoid collisions, or they may misremember the definition of a collision domain.
Analysis generated from the official N10-009blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse collision domains with broadcast domains, mistakenly thinking that confining broadcast traffic or sharing an IP subnet defines a collision domain, when in fact collision domains are strictly about physical-layer contention for the medium.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, a collision domain is any network segment where two or more stations share the same physical medium and can interfere with each other's transmissions. In modern switched networks, each switch port creates its own separate collision domain, eliminating collisions entirely when operating in full-duplex mode. A real-world scenario where this matters is in legacy Ethernet with hubs: if you connect 10 devices to a hub, all 10 are in one collision domain, severely limiting throughput due to frequent collisions.
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 network engineer segments a warehouse floor into three subnets: 20 scanners, 5 printers, and 2 management hosts. Picking the wrong mask wastes addresses or leaves too few usable hosts. Exam questions test whether you can apply CIDR notation, calculate block size, and identify the correct usable-host range for a given prefix.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this N10-009 question test?
Networking Concepts — This question tests Networking Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: A: Only one device can transmit at a time to avoid data collisions — In a collision domain, only one device can transmit at a time because if two or more devices transmit simultaneously, their signals collide, corrupting the data. This is a fundamental characteristic of half-duplex Ethernet segments, such as those using hubs or legacy bus topologies, where the medium is shared and CSMA/CD (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection) is used to manage access.
What should I do if I get this N10-009 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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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