The answer is a switch, because it is the device that prevents network collisions between workstations by creating individual collision domains for each connected device. A switch operates at Layer 2 of the OSI model, using MAC addresses to forward frames only to the specific destination port, which isolates traffic and eliminates the possibility of collisions that occur on shared media like hubs. On the CompTIA Network+ N10-009 exam, this concept tests your understanding of collision domains versus broadcast domains, and a common trap is confusing a hub—which operates at Layer 1 and forces all devices into a single collision domain—with a switch. Remember that switches segment collision domains, while routers segment broadcast domains. A simple memory tip: “Switch splits, hub huddles”—switches separate traffic to avoid collisions, while hubs lump everything together.
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.
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?
Why wrong: Incorrect. A hub forwards all traffic to all ports, creating a single collision domain.
B
Switch
Correct. Each port on a switch is a separate collision domain, preventing collisions between different workstations.
C
Router
Why wrong: Incorrect. A router primarily separates broadcast domains and routes between networks, but does not provide per-port collision domains.
D
Modem
Why wrong: Incorrect. A modem is used for converting digital signals to analog for transmission over telephone or cable lines, not for connecting local workstations.
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.
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.
✗
Hub
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. A hub forwards all traffic to all ports, creating a single collision domain.
✓
Switch
Why this is correct
Correct. Each port on a switch is a separate collision domain, preventing collisions between different workstations.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Router
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. A router primarily separates broadcast domains and routes between networks, but does not provide per-port collision domains.
✗
Modem
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. A modem is used for converting digital signals to analog for transmission over telephone or cable lines, not for connecting local workstations.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often 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.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, a switch uses a MAC address table (CAM table) built by learning source MAC addresses from incoming frames; it then performs a lookup to forward frames out the correct port. In full-duplex mode, each switch port is a separate collision domain, and with modern switches, collisions are eliminated entirely because the transmit and receive pairs are isolated. A real-world scenario where this matters is in a high-traffic office environment: using a hub would cause excessive collisions and retransmissions, degrading throughput, while a switch allows each workstation to communicate simultaneously without interference.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this N10-009 question in full detail.
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: 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.
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.
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Question Discussion
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