- A
Configure all switch ports as trunk ports and use VLAN 1 for all departments.
Why wrong: Trunk ports carry multiple VLANs, but if all ports are trunks and all are in VLAN 1, there is no isolation; broadcast traffic will flood to all ports.
- B
Assign each department's workstations to a unique VLAN and configure their switch ports as access ports in that VLAN.
Access ports belong to a single VLAN, creating separate broadcast domains. This is the correct method to isolate traffic between departments.
- C
Place all workstations in the same VLAN and use a firewall to filter broadcast traffic between departments.
Why wrong: Broadcast traffic stays within the VLAN; a firewall cannot filter broadcasts within the same VLAN. Placing all in one VLAN defeats isolation.
- D
Configure each switch port as a trunk and use a different native VLAN for each department.
Why wrong: Trunk ports are used to carry multiple VLANs between switches, not for end devices. Native VLAN is for untagged traffic; this does not isolate workstations on the same switch.
N10-009 Network Implementation Practice Question
This N10-009 practice question tests your understanding of network implementation. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 new switched network and needs to ensure that broadcast traffic from one department does not reach another department's workstations. The engineer plans to use VLANs. Which of the following must be configured on the switches to isolate broadcast domains as intended?
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
Assign each department's workstations to a unique VLAN and configure their switch ports as access ports in that VLAN.
VLANs segment a switched network into separate broadcast domains at Layer 2. By assigning each department's workstations to a unique VLAN and configuring their switch ports as access ports in that VLAN, broadcast traffic from one VLAN is confined to that VLAN and cannot reach workstations in another VLAN. This achieves the isolation required without additional filtering devices.
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.
- ✗
Configure all switch ports as trunk ports and use VLAN 1 for all departments.
- ✓
Assign each department's workstations to a unique VLAN and configure their switch ports as access ports in that VLAN.
Why this is correct
Access ports belong to a single VLAN, creating separate broadcast domains. This is the correct method to isolate traffic between departments.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Place all workstations in the same VLAN and use a firewall to filter broadcast traffic between departments.
- ✗
Configure each switch port as a trunk and use a different native VLAN for each department.
Why it's wrong here
Trunk ports are used to carry multiple VLANs between switches, not for end devices. Native VLAN is for untagged traffic; this does not isolate workstations on the same switch.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may think a firewall can filter Layer 2 broadcast traffic within the same VLAN, but firewalls operate at Layer 3 and above, so they cannot prevent broadcasts from flooding all ports in a single VLAN.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
VLANs are defined by IEEE 802.1Q, which inserts a 4-byte tag into Ethernet frames to identify VLAN membership. Access ports carry untagged traffic for a single VLAN, while trunk ports carry tagged traffic for multiple VLANs. In a real-world scenario, using separate VLANs per department also simplifies applying ACLs or inter-VLAN routing policies at the Layer 3 gateway, providing both security and traffic control.
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 help-desk technician troubleshoots why a newly connected PC cannot reach shared printers on the same floor. The cable is good, the switch port is active, but the PC is in VLAN 20 and the printers are in VLAN 10. The uplink trunk only allows VLAN 10. A trunk being up does not mean every VLAN crosses it.
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this N10-009 question test?
Network Implementation — This question tests Network Implementation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Assign each department's workstations to a unique VLAN and configure their switch ports as access ports in that VLAN. — VLANs segment a switched network into separate broadcast domains at Layer 2. By assigning each department's workstations to a unique VLAN and configuring their switch ports as access ports in that VLAN, broadcast traffic from one VLAN is confined to that VLAN and cannot reach workstations in another VLAN. This achieves the isolation required without additional filtering devices.
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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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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.
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