This N10-009 practice question tests your understanding of networking concepts. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 engineer is designing a network and needs to ensure that broadcast traffic is contained within a single broadcast domain. Which of the following devices should be used to create these separate broadcast domains?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Router
A router operates at Layer 3 of the OSI model and does not forward broadcast frames by default, making it the correct device to segment a network into separate broadcast domains. Each interface on a router creates a distinct broadcast domain, ensuring that broadcast traffic is contained within that interface's subnet.
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
A hub is a Layer 1 device that repeats all traffic, including broadcasts, to all ports, creating a single broadcast domain.
✗
Bridge
Why it's wrong here
A bridge is a Layer 2 device that forwards broadcasts to all ports, so it does not separate broadcast domains.
✗
Switch
Why it's wrong here
A standard switch without VLANs forwards broadcasts to all ports, keeping a single broadcast domain.
✓
Router
Why this is correct
A router operates at Layer 3 and does not forward Layer 2 broadcasts, thus separating broadcast domains per interface.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that a switch creates separate broadcast domains, but a switch only separates collision domains; without VLANs, all ports on a switch belong to the same broadcast domain.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Broadcast domains are bounded by Layer 3 devices because routers decrement the TTL field and do not forward packets with a destination broadcast address (e.g., 255.255.255.255 or subnet-directed broadcasts) across interfaces. In contrast, switches and bridges use the broadcast MAC address (FF:FF:FF:FF:FF:FF) to flood frames, which is why VLANs are required on switches to create separate Layer 2 broadcast domains without a router. In real-world designs, a router-on-a-stick or Layer 3 switch with SVIs is used to route between VLANs, but the router interface itself is the boundary for broadcast containment.
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.
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: Router — A router operates at Layer 3 of the OSI model and does not forward broadcast frames by default, making it the correct device to segment a network into separate broadcast domains. Each interface on a router creates a distinct broadcast domain, ensuring that broadcast traffic is contained within that interface's subnet.
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 →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.