- A
Hub
Why wrong: A hub repeats signals to all ports but does not efficiently manage traffic and can cause collisions, making it a poor choice for 12 devices.
- B
Router
Why wrong: Adding another router would create a separate subnet, requiring additional configuration for inter-device communication and is unnecessary for expanding ports.
- C
Switch
A switch provides additional Ethernet ports and intelligently forwards frames only to the intended device, making it ideal for expanding a LAN.
- D
Repeater
Why wrong: A repeater only amplifies signals to extend range, not increase the number of connectable devices.
Question 65 of 1,020
Which Network Device Expands LAN Ports?
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of network configuration 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 small office uses a single router with four LAN ports. The manager wants to connect 12 wired devices and ensure they can all communicate with each other without purchasing a new router. Which network device should be added to the existing setup?
Quick Answer
The answer is a switch. A switch expands LAN ports by creating a network segment where all connected devices can communicate directly with one another at full bandwidth, making it the ideal device for adding more wired endpoints to an existing router without replacing it. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this question tests your understanding of basic network hardware roles—specifically that a switch operates at Layer 2 to forward frames within a local network, while a router connects separate networks and a hub merely repeats signals inefficiently. A common trap is confusing a hub with a switch; remember that a hub shares bandwidth across all ports, causing collisions, whereas a switch gives each device its own dedicated path. For a quick memory tip: think "Switch for more ports, Router for more networks."
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 (Data Link layer) of the OSI model, using MAC addresses to forward frames only to the specific port where the destination device is connected. This allows the existing router to remain the gateway for internet access while the switch expands the number of available Ethernet ports, enabling all 12 wired devices to communicate within the same local network without purchasing a new router.
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 repeats signals to all ports but does not efficiently manage traffic and can cause collisions, making it a poor choice for 12 devices.
- ✗
Router
Why it's wrong here
Adding another router would create a separate subnet, requiring additional configuration for inter-device communication and is unnecessary for expanding ports.
- ✓
Switch
Why this is correct
A switch provides additional Ethernet ports and intelligently forwards frames only to the intended device, making it ideal for expanding a LAN.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Repeater
Why it's wrong here
A repeater only amplifies signals to extend range, not increase the number of connectable devices.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The A+ exam often tests the distinction between hubs and switches by presenting a scenario where a device is needed to increase the number of ports, and candidates mistakenly choose a hub because they think it is cheaper or simpler, ignoring the collision and performance issues that make a switch the only viable solution for more than a few devices.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
A switch builds a MAC address table by learning the source MAC addresses of frames received on each port, then uses that table to make forwarding decisions. In a real-world scenario, if the office had a mix of 10/100/1000 Mbps devices, an unmanaged switch would auto-negotiate the speed and duplex settings per port, ensuring optimal performance without manual configuration. The switch also segments collision domains, so each port is its own collision domain, unlike a hub where all ports share a single collision domain.
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.
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
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Network Configuration Concepts — This question tests Network Configuration 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 (Data Link layer) of the OSI model, using MAC addresses to forward frames only to the specific port where the destination device is connected. This allows the existing router to remain the gateway for internet access while the switch expands the number of available Ethernet ports, enabling all 12 wired devices to communicate within the same local network without purchasing a new router.
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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