- A
A switch is faster than a hub because it operates at Layer 3
Why wrong: Switches operate at Layer 2 (Data Link layer), not Layer 3. While switches are faster due to dedicated forwarding, the reason is not Layer 3 operation.
- B
A hub broadcasts all frames to all ports; a switch forwards frames only to the destination port
This is the core difference. Hubs repeat signals out all ports; switches use MAC address tables to deliver frames selectively.
- C
A hub can segment collision domains; a switch cannot
Why wrong: In fact, the opposite is true. Hubs do not segment collision domains; they extend them. Switches create separate collision domains per port.
- D
Both hubs and switches operate at the same OSI layer but use different frame types
Why wrong: Hubs operate at Layer 1 (Physical), while switches operate at Layer 2 (Data Link). They use the same Ethernet frame types.
N10-009 Networking Concepts Practice Question
This N10-009 practice question tests your understanding of networking concepts. Compare every option against the stated constraints before choosing — the best answer satisfies all requirements, not just the most obvious one. 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.
Which of the following best describes the primary difference between a hub and a switch?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Clue:
"primary"Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
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 hub broadcasts all frames to all ports; a switch forwards frames only to the destination port
A hub operates at Layer 1 (physical layer) and simply repeats electrical signals out all ports, causing all connected devices to receive every frame. A switch operates at Layer 2 (data link layer) and uses the MAC address table to forward frames only to the specific port where the destination device resides, reducing unnecessary traffic and improving network efficiency.
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 switch is faster than a hub because it operates at Layer 3
Why it's wrong here
Switches operate at Layer 2 (Data Link layer), not Layer 3. While switches are faster due to dedicated forwarding, the reason is not Layer 3 operation.
When this WOULD be correct
This option would be correct if the question asked: 'Which of the following best describes the primary difference between a Layer 3 switch and a router?' In that context, a Layer 3 switch can be faster than a router because it uses hardware-based switching at Layer 3.
- ✓
A hub broadcasts all frames to all ports; a switch forwards frames only to the destination port
Why this is correct
This is the core difference. Hubs repeat signals out all ports; switches use MAC address tables to deliver frames selectively.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "best", "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
A hub can segment collision domains; a switch cannot
Why it's wrong here
In fact, the opposite is true. Hubs do not segment collision domains; they extend them. Switches create separate collision domains per port.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question were 'Which of the following best describes the primary difference between a hub and a switch regarding collision domains?', then the correct answer would be that a switch segments collision domains while a hub does not.
- ✗
Both hubs and switches operate at the same OSI layer but use different frame types
Why it's wrong here
Hubs operate at Layer 1 (Physical), while switches operate at Layer 2 (Data Link). They use the same Ethernet frame types.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question asked about the difference between a router and a switch, then 'operate at the same OSI layer but use different frame types' could be correct if comparing a Layer 3 router (using IP packets) with a Layer 2 switch (using Ethernet frames).
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 hub broadcasts all frames to all ports; a switch forwards frames only to the destination portCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
This is the core difference. Hubs repeat signals out all ports; switches use MAC address tables to deliver frames selectively.
✗A switch is faster than a hub because it operates at Layer 3Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Switches operate at Layer 2 (data link layer), not Layer 3. While some switches can perform Layer 3 routing, the primary difference between a hub and a switch is not speed based on OSI layer; hubs operate at Layer 1 and switches at Layer 2.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
This option would be correct if the question asked: 'Which of the following best describes the primary difference between a Layer 3 switch and a router?' In that context, a Layer 3 switch can be faster than a router because it uses hardware-based switching at Layer 3.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse switches with routers or assume that 'switch' always implies Layer 3 capabilities, and they may think that operating at a higher layer inherently makes a device faster.
✗A hub can segment collision domains; a switch cannotWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A hub does not segment collision domains; it actually extends them. A switch segments collision domains by creating a separate collision domain per port.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question were 'Which of the following best describes the primary difference between a hub and a switch regarding collision domains?', then the correct answer would be that a switch segments collision domains while a hub does not.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse the concept of collision domains with broadcast domains, or mistakenly think that hubs provide segmentation because they are older devices that physically separate ports.
✗Both hubs and switches operate at the same OSI layer but use different frame typesWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Both hubs and switches operate at Layer 2 (Data Link layer) and use the same Ethernet frame types; the statement is factually incorrect.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question asked about the difference between a router and a switch, then 'operate at the same OSI layer but use different frame types' could be correct if comparing a Layer 3 router (using IP packets) with a Layer 2 switch (using Ethernet frames).
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse the OSI layers of hubs and switches, or think that switches use different frame types due to VLAN tagging, but standard Ethernet frames are identical for both devices.
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 the OSI layer of a switch (Layer 2) with a router (Layer 3) and incorrectly assume switches are faster because they operate at a higher layer, or they mistakenly think hubs can segment collision domains when in fact they expand them.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Switches learn MAC addresses by examining the source MAC of incoming frames and building a MAC address table (CAM table). When a frame arrives with an unknown destination MAC, the switch floods the frame out all ports except the ingress port—a behavior similar to a hub but only for unknown unicasts. In a real-world scenario, a hub would cause excessive collisions and retransmissions in a busy network, whereas a switch isolates traffic and allows full-duplex communication, effectively doubling throughput per link.
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.
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 |
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 hub broadcasts all frames to all ports; a switch forwards frames only to the destination port — A hub operates at Layer 1 (physical layer) and simply repeats electrical signals out all ports, causing all connected devices to receive every frame. A switch operates at Layer 2 (data link layer) and uses the MAC address table to forward frames only to the specific port where the destination device resides, reducing unnecessary traffic and improving network efficiency.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best", "primary". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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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