200-301 Question 146
Single answerA network administrator notices that a switch is experiencing high latency when forwarding traffic. Upon investigation, it is discovered that all devices in the network are receiving broadcast traffic from multiple VLANs. Which switching concept is the most likely cause of this issue?
- A
Broadcast storm
- B
Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) misconfiguration
- C
Switch port security violation
- D
MAC address table exhaustion
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The primary issue here is the excessive broadcast traffic affecting all devices, which is a hallmark of a broadcast storm. This typically occurs due to a Layer 2 loop in the network, often caused by a misconfigured or missing Spanning Tree Protocol (STP). By identifying and addressing the broadcast storm, the administrator can resolve the network latency and congestion.
- A. Correct.
A broadcast storm occurs when there is an excessive amount of broadcast traffic on a network, typically caused by a Layer 2 loop. This can lead to high latency and congestion, as seen in this scenario.
- B. Incorrect.
While an STP misconfiguration can cause loops and potentially lead to broadcast storms, the issue described directly points to the effects of a broadcast storm, not the underlying misconfiguration.
- C. Incorrect.
Switch port security violations are related to unauthorized devices connecting to a switch port and do not directly cause widespread broadcast traffic across VLANs.
- D. Incorrect.
MAC address table exhaustion occurs when a switch's MAC address table is filled, causing it to flood traffic to all ports. However, this issue does not directly result in excessive broadcast traffic as described in the scenario.