Exam N10-008 topic 1 question 245 discussion

B. Layer 3 switch A Layer 3 switch, also known as a multilayer switch, is a network device capable of performing routing between VLANs. It combines the functionality of a traditional Layer 2 switch and a router, allowing it to operate at both Layer 2 (data link) and Layer 3 (network) of the OSI model. This means it can route traffic between different VLANs, making it an essential component in a network where VLAN segmentation and inter-VLAN routing are required. In contrast, a Layer 2 switch (option A) is designed for switching and does not have routing capabilities. Load balancers (option C) are used for distributing network traffic across multiple servers, and bridges (option D) operate at Layer 2 and connect network segments or extend networks but do not perform routing between VLANs.

A Layer 3 switch is a network device that can perform routing between VLANs. Layer 3 switches, also known as multilayer switches, are network switches that have the capability to operate at both Layer 2 (data link layer) and Layer 3 (network layer) of the OSI model. They can perform advanced functions such as packet filtering, VLAN routing, and IP address routing, which make them ideal for enterprise networks that require fast and efficient routing between VLANs.

The correct answer is B. Layer 3 switch. A layer 3 switch is a specialized type of network device that is capable of performing routing between VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks). VLANs are used to segment a network into logical sub-networks, and a layer 3 switch can route traffic between these different VLANs to allow communication between devices that belong to different VLANs.