- A
Connect all 12 devices directly to the router's four ports using splitters.
Why wrong: Splitters on switch ports are not standard and would cause collisions or not work at all. The router only has four ports.
- B
Connect the switch to one of the router's LAN ports, then connect all 12 devices to the switch.
Correct. This creates a star topology where the switch handles local traffic, and the router manages internet access. It provides full bandwidth to each device.
- C
Connect half the devices to the router and half to the switch, then connect the switch to the router.
Why wrong: While this works, it's not optimal. Using the router's switch ports for devices reduces the uplink bandwidth available for the switch.
- D
Use the router as a switch by disabling its routing functions.
Why wrong: Most small business routers cannot be configured as pure switches. Even if possible, it would waste the router's capabilities.
Connecting Multiple Devices to Router with Switch
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of common networking hardware. 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 small business has a single router with four built-in switch ports. They need to connect 12 wired devices. They have a 24-port unmanaged switch. Which configuration will provide the best network performance and connectivity?
Quick Answer
The answer is to connect the switch to one of the router’s LAN ports, then connect all 12 devices to the switch. This configuration is correct because a switch creates a single local network segment, allowing devices to communicate directly with each other at wire speed without burdening the router. The router’s job is then limited to routing traffic to and from the internet, which prevents unnecessary congestion on its four built-in ports. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this question tests your understanding of network topology and the role of a switch in expanding a LAN. A common trap is thinking you must use all four router ports first, but that would create multiple collision domains and waste the switch’s efficiency. Remember the memory tip: “Switch for local talk, router for the walk”—keep local traffic on the switch and let the router handle only the internet gateway.
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
Connect the switch to one of the router's LAN ports, then connect all 12 devices to the switch.
Option B is correct because connecting the 24-port unmanaged switch to one of the router's LAN ports extends the network, allowing all 12 devices to connect via the switch. The router handles routing and DHCP, while the switch provides ample ports and wire-speed forwarding at Layer 2, ensuring optimal performance without collisions or bandwidth contention.
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.
- ✗
Connect all 12 devices directly to the router's four ports using splitters.
Why it's wrong here
Splitters on switch ports are not standard and would cause collisions or not work at all. The router only has four ports.
- ✓
Connect the switch to one of the router's LAN ports, then connect all 12 devices to the switch.
Why this is correct
Correct. This creates a star topology where the switch handles local traffic, and the router manages internet access. It provides full bandwidth to each device.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Connect half the devices to the router and half to the switch, then connect the switch to the router.
Why it's wrong here
While this works, it's not optimal. Using the router's switch ports for devices reduces the uplink bandwidth available for the switch.
- ✗
Use the router as a switch by disabling its routing functions.
Why it's wrong here
Most small business routers cannot be configured as pure switches. Even if possible, it would waste the router's capabilities.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may think splitters or daisy-chaining can substitute for a switch, but Ethernet requires a switch or hub to properly regenerate signals and manage multiple connections, and splitters only work for two devices on a single cable run, not for 12 devices.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, an unmanaged switch operates at Layer 2, using MAC address tables to forward frames only to the appropriate port, which reduces collisions and improves throughput compared to hubs or splitters. In a real-world scenario, connecting the switch to the router's LAN port creates a single broadcast domain, but the switch's backplane bandwidth (often several Gbps) ensures all 12 devices can communicate simultaneously without congestion, as long as the uplink to the router is not oversubscribed.
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 220-1201 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.
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 220-1201 question test?
Common Networking Hardware — This question tests Common Networking Hardware — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Connect the switch to one of the router's LAN ports, then connect all 12 devices to the switch. — Option B is correct because connecting the 24-port unmanaged switch to one of the router's LAN ports extends the network, allowing all 12 devices to connect via the switch. The router handles routing and DHCP, while the switch provides ample ports and wire-speed forwarding at Layer 2, ensuring optimal performance without collisions or bandwidth contention.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 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: Jul 4, 2026
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