- A
Layer 2 switch
Why wrong: A Layer 2 switch forwards frames based on MAC addresses and does not perform routing; it cannot route between VLANs without a router.
- B
Router or Layer 3 switch
Both routers and Layer 3 switches can route traffic between VLANs by processing IP packets.
- C
Bridge
Why wrong: A bridge is a Layer 2 device that connects two network segments; it does not route between VLANs.
- D
Hub
Why wrong: A hub is a Layer 1 device that simply repeats signals; it cannot route or distinguish VLANs.
Question 355 of 520
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 wants to segment the network into multiple virtual LANs to reduce broadcast traffic. Which device is required to route traffic between these VLANs?
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
✓
Router or Layer 3 switch
VLANs operate at Layer 2, isolating broadcast domains. To route traffic between different VLANs, a device that can forward packets based on Layer 3 IP addresses is required. A router or a Layer 3 switch (which performs hardware-based routing using ASICs) provides the necessary inter-VLAN routing functionality.
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.
- ✗
Layer 2 switch
Why it's wrong here
A Layer 2 switch forwards frames based on MAC addresses and does not perform routing; it cannot route between VLANs without a router.
When this WOULD be correct
When the question asks for a device to connect multiple devices within the same VLAN or to segment a network into VLANs without requiring inter-VLAN routing, a Layer 2 switch is the correct answer.
- ✓
Router or Layer 3 switch
Why this is correct
Both routers and Layer 3 switches can route traffic between VLANs by processing IP packets.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Bridge
Why it's wrong here
A bridge is a Layer 2 device that connects two network segments; it does not route between VLANs.
When this WOULD be correct
A bridge would be correct in a question about connecting two separate network segments to reduce collision domains while keeping them in the same broadcast domain, such as 'Which device connects two Ethernet segments and forwards frames based on MAC addresses?'
- ✗
Hub
Why it's wrong here
A hub is a Layer 1 device that simply repeats signals; it cannot route or distinguish VLANs.
When this WOULD be correct
In a question asking which device is used to connect multiple devices in a single collision domain or to extend a network segment without any filtering, a hub would be correct. For example: 'Which device operates at Layer 1 and repeats all incoming signals to all ports?'
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.
✓Router or Layer 3 switchCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
Both routers and Layer 3 switches can route traffic between VLANs by processing IP packets.
✗Layer 2 switchWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A Layer 2 switch forwards frames based on MAC addresses and cannot perform routing between VLANs because it lacks Layer 3 IP routing capabilities.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
When the question asks for a device to connect multiple devices within the same VLAN or to segment a network into VLANs without requiring inter-VLAN routing, a Layer 2 switch is the correct answer.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse VLAN segmentation with inter-VLAN routing, assuming that a switch that supports VLANs can also route between them.
✗BridgeWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A bridge operates at Layer 2 and cannot perform routing between VLANs; it only forwards frames based on MAC addresses within the same broadcast domain.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A bridge would be correct in a question about connecting two separate network segments to reduce collision domains while keeping them in the same broadcast domain, such as 'Which device connects two Ethernet segments and forwards frames based on MAC addresses?'
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse a bridge with a router or Layer 3 switch, thinking it can handle VLAN routing, or they may recall that bridges can segment networks but forget they lack Layer 3 capabilities.
✗HubWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A hub operates at Layer 1 and cannot perform VLAN segmentation or routing; it simply repeats electrical signals to all ports, so it cannot route traffic between VLANs.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a question asking which device is used to connect multiple devices in a single collision domain or to extend a network segment without any filtering, a hub would be correct. For example: 'Which device operates at Layer 1 and repeats all incoming signals to all ports?'
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse hubs with switches or routers, thinking any networking device can handle VLANs, or they may not understand that hubs lack the intelligence to process VLAN tags or make forwarding decisions.
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
CompTIA often tests the misconception that a Layer 2 switch alone can route between VLANs if it supports VLAN tagging (802.1Q), but the switch must have Layer 3 routing capabilities (either as a Layer 3 switch or with an external router) to actually forward traffic between VLANs.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Inter-VLAN routing can be implemented using a router-on-a-stick configuration, where a single router interface is configured with subinterfaces (e.g., GigabitEthernet0/0.10, encapsulation dot1Q 10) to handle multiple VLANs. A Layer 3 switch performs this routing in hardware using CEF (Cisco Express Forwarding) and switch virtual interfaces (SVIs), providing much higher throughput than a traditional router. In real-world networks, Layer 3 switches are preferred for high-speed inter-VLAN routing within a campus LAN.
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.
Visual reference
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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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: Router or Layer 3 switch — VLANs operate at Layer 2, isolating broadcast domains. To route traffic between different VLANs, a device that can forward packets based on Layer 3 IP addresses is required. A router or a Layer 3 switch (which performs hardware-based routing using ASICs) provides the necessary inter-VLAN routing functionality.
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 30, 2026
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