N10-009 Networking Concepts Practice Question
A network administrator needs to connect 10 workstations in a way that each workstation's traffic does not collide with others. Which device should be used to connect these workstations?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse a hub with a switch, thinking both simply 'connect' devices, but the key differentiator is that a hub creates a single collision domain while a switch creates separate collision domains per port.
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 is the correct device because it operates at Layer 2 of the OSI model, using MAC addresses to forward frames only to the specific destination port. This creates separate collision domains for each connected workstation, ensuring that traffic from one workstation does not collide with traffic from another.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Hub
Why it's wrong here
A hub is a Layer 1 (Physical Layer) device that simply repeats incoming electrical signals out to all other connected ports. This behavior means all connected workstations share a single collision domain, where only one device can transmit at a time without causing a collision. Consequently, as more devices are added, network performance significantly degrades due to increased collisions and retransmissions.
When this WOULD be correct
When the question asks for a device to simply extend a network segment without regard for collisions, such as 'Which device is used to connect multiple devices in a single collision domain?'
- ✓
Switch
Why this is correct
A switch operates at Layer 2 (Data Link Layer) of the OSI model, learning MAC addresses and forwarding frames only to the intended destination port. This intelligent forwarding creates a dedicated collision domain for each connected device, effectively eliminating collisions within the switch and maximizing bandwidth utilization for each workstation. This is crucial for connecting multiple workstations efficiently without performance degradation.
- ✗
Router
Why it's wrong here
A router operates at Layer 3 (Network Layer) and is designed to connect different IP networks and forward packets based on IP addresses. While a router does separate broadcast domains, its primary function is not to provide individual collision domains for local workstation connectivity within a single LAN segment. Connecting 10 workstations directly to a router's LAN ports would typically place them within the same broadcast domain, and the router itself doesn't inherently create per-port collision domains in the same manner as a switch for local LAN traffic.
When this WOULD be correct
A router would be correct if the question asked: 'Which device is used to connect two different networks and allow workstations on each network to communicate?' or 'Which device forwards packets based on IP addresses and operates at Layer 3?'
- ✗
Modem
Why it's wrong here
A modem (modulator-demodulator) is a device that converts digital data from a computer into an analog signal suitable for transmission over various media, such as telephone lines or coaxial cable, and vice-versa. Its sole purpose is to facilitate communication over a Wide Area Network (WAN) by interfacing with an Internet Service Provider (ISP), not to directly connect multiple local workstations within a Local Area Network (LAN).
When this WOULD be correct
A modem would be correct when the question asks for a device to connect a home or small office to an ISP over a telephone or cable line, such as 'Which device converts digital data to analog for transmission over a phone line?'
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.
✓SwitchCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
A switch operates at Layer 2 (Data Link Layer) of the OSI model, learning MAC addresses and forwarding frames only to the intended destination port. This intelligent forwarding creates a dedicated collision domain for each connected device, effectively eliminating collisions within the switch and maximizing bandwidth utilization for each workstation. This is crucial for connecting multiple workstations efficiently without performance degradation.
✗HubWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A hub operates at Layer 1 and forwards all traffic to all ports, causing collisions; it does not isolate traffic per workstation.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
When the question asks for a device to simply extend a network segment without regard for collisions, such as 'Which device is used to connect multiple devices in a single collision domain?'
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse hubs with switches, thinking both connect multiple devices, and overlook the collision domain requirement.
✗RouterWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A router is designed to connect different networks and route traffic between them, not to provide collision-free communication within a single local network. For 10 workstations on the same LAN, a switch is the correct device to eliminate collisions.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A router would be correct if the question asked: 'Which device is used to connect two different networks and allow workstations on each network to communicate?' or 'Which device forwards packets based on IP addresses and operates at Layer 3?'
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse the function of a router with that of a switch, thinking that any device that connects multiple computers must be a router, or they may overestimate the role of routers in small networks.
✗ModemWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A modem modulates/demodulates signals for WAN connections (e.g., DSL, cable) and does not provide collision-free local network switching; it cannot separate traffic between workstations on a LAN.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A modem would be correct when the question asks for a device to connect a home or small office to an ISP over a telephone or cable line, such as 'Which device converts digital data to analog for transmission over a phone line?'
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse 'modem' with 'switch' because both are common networking devices, or they think a modem can handle multiple connections like a switch does.
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?”
Quick reference
OSI Model Reference
| Layer | Name | PDU | Key Protocols / Devices |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Application | Data | HTTP, HTTPS, DNS, SMTP, FTP, SSH |
| 6 | Presentation | Data | TLS / SSL, JPEG, ASCII encoding |
| 5 | Session | Data | NetBIOS, RPC, SIP |
| 4 | Transport | Segment / Datagram | TCP, UDP |
| 3 | Network | Packet | IP, ICMP, OSPF — Routers |
| 2 | Data Link | Frame | Ethernet, Wi-Fi, PPP — Switches, Bridges |
| 1 | Physical | Bits | Cables, NICs, Hubs, Repeaters |
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Network Virtualization and VXLAN
Key term
Open Systems Interconnection
The Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model is a conceptual framework used to understand how data travels from one computer to another across a network.
Key term
OSI model
The OSI model is a conceptual framework that standardizes the functions of a telecommunication or computing system into seven distinct layers, from physical hardware to application software.
About these practice questions
One of 464 original N10-009 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 N10-009 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 N10-009 exam.