- A
Hub
Why wrong: Incorrect. A hub forwards all traffic to all ports, creating a single collision domain.
- B
Switch
Correct. Each port on a switch is a separate collision domain, preventing collisions between different workstations.
- C
Router
Why wrong: Incorrect. A router primarily separates broadcast domains and routes between networks, but does not provide per-port collision domains.
- D
Modem
Why wrong: Incorrect. A modem is used for converting digital signals to analog for transmission over telephone or cable lines, not for connecting local workstations.
Question 493 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 needs to connect 10 workstations in a way that each workstation's traffic does not collide with others. Which device should be used to connect these workstations?
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 is the correct device because it operates at Layer 2 of the OSI model, using MAC addresses to forward frames only to the specific destination port. This creates separate collision domains for each connected workstation, ensuring that traffic from one workstation does not collide with traffic from another.
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
Incorrect. A hub forwards all traffic to all ports, creating a single collision domain.
When this WOULD be correct
When the question asks for a device to simply extend a network segment without regard for collisions, such as 'Which device is used to connect multiple devices in a single collision domain?'
- ✓
Switch
Why this is correct
Correct. Each port on a switch is a separate collision domain, preventing collisions between different workstations.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Router
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. A router primarily separates broadcast domains and routes between networks, but does not provide per-port collision domains.
When this WOULD be correct
A router would be correct if the question asked: 'Which device is used to connect two different networks and allow workstations on each network to communicate?' or 'Which device forwards packets based on IP addresses and operates at Layer 3?'
- ✗
Modem
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. A modem is used for converting digital signals to analog for transmission over telephone or cable lines, not for connecting local workstations.
When this WOULD be correct
A modem would be correct when the question asks for a device to connect a home or small office to an ISP over a telephone or cable line, such as 'Which device converts digital data to analog for transmission over a phone line?'
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
Correct. Each port on a switch is a separate collision domain, preventing collisions between different workstations.
✗HubWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A hub operates at Layer 1 and forwards all traffic to all ports, causing collisions; it does not isolate traffic per workstation.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
When the question asks for a device to simply extend a network segment without regard for collisions, such as 'Which device is used to connect multiple devices in a single collision domain?'
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse hubs with switches, thinking both connect multiple devices, and overlook the collision domain requirement.
✗RouterWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A router is designed to connect different networks and route traffic between them, not to provide collision-free communication within a single local network. For 10 workstations on the same LAN, a switch is the correct device to eliminate collisions.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A router would be correct if the question asked: 'Which device is used to connect two different networks and allow workstations on each network to communicate?' or 'Which device forwards packets based on IP addresses and operates at Layer 3?'
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse the function of a router with that of a switch, thinking that any device that connects multiple computers must be a router, or they may overestimate the role of routers in small networks.
✗ModemWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A modem modulates/demodulates signals for WAN connections (e.g., DSL, cable) and does not provide collision-free local network switching; it cannot separate traffic between workstations on a LAN.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A modem would be correct when the question asks for a device to connect a home or small office to an ISP over a telephone or cable line, such as 'Which device converts digital data to analog for transmission over a phone line?'
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse 'modem' with 'switch' because both are common networking devices, or they think a modem can handle multiple connections like a switch does.
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 a hub with a switch, thinking both simply 'connect' devices, but the key differentiator is that a hub creates a single collision domain while a switch creates separate collision domains per port.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, a switch uses a MAC address table (CAM table) built by learning source MAC addresses from incoming frames; it then performs a lookup to forward frames out the correct port. In full-duplex mode, each switch port is a separate collision domain, and with modern switches, collisions are eliminated entirely because the transmit and receive pairs are isolated. A real-world scenario where this matters is in a high-traffic office environment: using a hub would cause excessive collisions and retransmissions, degrading throughput, while a switch allows each workstation to communicate simultaneously without interference.
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 practitioner preparing for the N10-009 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
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: Switch — A switch is the correct device because it operates at Layer 2 of the OSI model, using MAC addresses to forward frames only to the specific destination port. This creates separate collision domains for each connected workstation, ensuring that traffic from one workstation does not collide with traffic from another.
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 →
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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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