Network Infrastructure Devices

Question 1

Hub

Answer 1

• Layer 1 device used to connect multiple network devices/workstations
• Known as Multiport Repeaters
• Three basic types of ethernet hubs
  ● Passive Hub
  ○ Repeats signal with no amplification
  ● Active Hub
  ○ Repeats signal with amplification
  ● Smart Hub
  ○ Active hub with enhanced features like SNMP

Question 2

Bridge

Answer 2

• Bridges analyze source MAC addresses in frames entering the bridge and populate an internal MAC address table
• Makes intelligent forwarding decisions based on destination MAC address in the frames

Question 3

Switch

Answer 3

Layer 2 device used to connect multiple network segments together
- Essentially a multiport bridge
- Switches learn MAC addresses and make forwarding decisions based on them
- Switches analyze source MAC addresses in frames entering the switch and populate an internal MAC address table based on them
- Each port on a switch represents an individual collision domain
- All ports belong to the same broadcast domain

Question 4

Router

Answer 4

Layer 3 device used to connect multiple networks together
- Make forwarding decisions based on logical network address information:
● Such as using IP addresses (IPv4 or IPv6)
- Routers are typically more feature rich and support a broader range of interface types than multilayer switches
- Each port is a separate collision domain
- Each port is a separate broadcast domain

Question 5

Layer 3 Switch

Answer 5

• Layer 3 device used to connect multiple network segments together
• Can make Layer 3 routing decisions and interconnect entire networks (like a router), not just network segments (like a switch)