Question 1easymultiple choice
Full question →easymultiple choiceObjective-mapped
Which of the following best describes the primary difference between a hub and a switch?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Distractor review
A switch is faster than a hub because it operates at Layer 3
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
Best answer
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
Distractor review
A hub can segment collision domains; a switch cannot
In fact, the opposite is true. Hubs do not segment collision domains; they extend them. Switches create separate collision domains per port.
D
Distractor review
Both hubs and switches operate at the same OSI layer but use different frame types
Hubs operate at Layer 1 (Physical), while switches operate at Layer 2 (Data Link). They use the same Ethernet frame types.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
- Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
- The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
- Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
- Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
- Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Related practice questions
Related N10-009 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Network+ network fundamentals practice questions
Practise N10-009 questions linked to Network+ network fundamentals.
Network+ implementation practice questions
Practise N10-009 questions linked to Network+ implementation.
Network+ operations practice questions
Practise N10-009 questions linked to Network+ operations.
Network+ security practice questions
Practise N10-009 questions linked to Network+ security.
Network+ troubleshooting practice questions
Practise N10-009 questions linked to Network+ troubleshooting.
More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A network engineer needs to connect two switches located 400 meters apart. The cable run includes high electromagnetic interference from nearby machinery. The engineer decides to use fiber optic cabling. Which transceiver type and fiber combination should be used to ensure the link reaches 400 meters while remaining cost-effective?
Question 2
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?
Question 3
A security engineer is configuring a site-to-site VPN between two branch offices. The requirement is to encrypt all traffic between the two networks using IPsec. Which IPsec mode should be used to encrypt the entire IP packet including the original header?
Question 4
A network administrator is connecting two switches to increase bandwidth and provide redundancy. Which technology should be used to combine multiple physical links into a single logical link?
Question 5
A network administrator is experiencing issues where unauthorized devices are offering IP addresses to clients, causing connectivity problems. Which security feature should be enabled on switches to prevent this?
Question 6
A network administrator is troubleshooting a connectivity issue and suspects the problem is related to the physical cabling. At which layer of the OSI model should the administrator begin their investigation?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this N10-009 question test?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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 and simply broadcasts all incoming frames to all ports, causing collisions and inefficiency. A switch operates at Layer 2, learns MAC addresses, and forwards frames only to the specific destination port, reducing collisions and improving performance.
What should I do if I get this N10-009 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
Discussion
Loading comments…
Sign in to join the discussion.