- A
Hub
Why wrong: A hub operates as a single collision domain and a single broadcast domain.
- B
Switch
A switch creates a separate collision domain for each port but forwards all broadcast frames, so it does not increase broadcast domains.
- C
Router
Why wrong: A router separates broadcast domains and also separates collision domains.
- D
Repeater
Why wrong: A repeater extends cable length but does not segment collision domains; it is one collision domain.
Question 232 of 520
N10-009 Networking Concepts Practice Question
This N10-009 practice question tests your understanding of networking concepts. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 technician is explaining network segmentation to a junior technician. Which of the following devices increases the number of collision domains but does not increase the number of broadcast domains?
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
✓
Switch
A switch creates a separate collision domain for each port, so multiple devices can transmit simultaneously without collisions, but it does not segment broadcast domains; all ports remain in the same broadcast domain unless VLANs are configured. This directly matches the question's requirement: increasing collision domains without increasing broadcast domains.
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 operates as a single collision domain and a single broadcast domain.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question asked which device increases the number of collision domains (without the broadcast domain constraint), a hub would still be incorrect. However, if the question asked which device creates a single collision domain for all connected devices, a hub would be correct.
- ✓
Switch
Why this is correct
A switch creates a separate collision domain for each port but forwards all broadcast frames, so it does not increase broadcast domains.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Router
Why it's wrong here
A router separates broadcast domains and also separates collision domains.
When this WOULD be correct
In a question asking 'Which device increases the number of broadcast domains?', a router would be correct as it segments broadcast domains at Layer 3.
- ✗
Repeater
Why it's wrong here
A repeater extends cable length but does not segment collision domains; it is one collision domain.
When this WOULD be correct
A repeater would be the correct answer in a question asking: 'Which device extends the maximum cable length of a network segment without segmenting collision or broadcast domains?' or 'Which device regenerates a signal to overcome attenuation?'
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.
✓SwitchCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
A switch creates a separate collision domain for each port but forwards all broadcast frames, so it does not increase broadcast domains.
✗HubWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A hub operates at Layer 1 and does not segment collision domains; all ports share a single collision domain, so it does not increase the number of collision domains.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question asked which device increases the number of collision domains (without the broadcast domain constraint), a hub would still be incorrect. However, if the question asked which device creates a single collision domain for all connected devices, a hub would be correct.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may mistakenly think that hubs, like switches, create separate collision domains per port, confusing the behavior of hubs with that of switches.
✗RouterWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A router increases both collision domains and broadcast domains because it separates broadcast domains by default, which is not what the question asks.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a question asking 'Which device increases the number of broadcast domains?', a router would be correct as it segments broadcast domains at Layer 3.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse the roles of routers and switches, thinking routers only affect collision domains, or they may misremember that routers increase collision domains without considering broadcast domains.
✗RepeaterWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A repeater operates at Layer 1 and simply regenerates signals, extending the physical reach of a network. It does not segment collision domains; all devices connected via repeaters share the same collision domain, and it does not affect broadcast domains.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A repeater would be the correct answer in a question asking: 'Which device extends the maximum cable length of a network segment without segmenting collision or broadcast domains?' or 'Which device regenerates a signal to overcome attenuation?'
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse repeaters with switches, thinking that signal regeneration implies segmentation, or they may not fully understand that repeaters operate at Layer 1 and do not create separate collision domains.
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 collision domains with broadcast domains, thinking that a switch reduces both, when in fact it only reduces collision domains while leaving broadcast domains unchanged (unless VLANs are used).
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, a switch uses store-and-forward or cut-through switching to isolate collisions per port via full-duplex operation, effectively eliminating collisions on each link. In contrast, broadcast traffic (e.g., ARP requests) is still flooded out all ports in the same VLAN, meaning the broadcast domain remains intact. A real-world scenario is a flat network where a switch is used to connect multiple workstations; each workstation gets its own collision domain, but a single broadcast storm can still affect all devices.
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.
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: Switch — A switch creates a separate collision domain for each port, so multiple devices can transmit simultaneously without collisions, but it does not segment broadcast domains; all ports remain in the same broadcast domain unless VLANs are configured. This directly matches the question's requirement: increasing collision domains without increasing broadcast domains.
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
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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