220-1101 Question 128
Single answerUnmanagedA small office is expanding and needs to connect six desktop PCs, a network printer, and a router so all devices can access the local network and the internet. The office manager wants the lowest-cost option and does not need features such as VLANs, remote management, or traffic monitoring. Which device should the technician recommend?
- A
An unmanaged switch with enough Ethernet ports for the office devices
- B
A managed switch so port security and VLANs can be configured later
- C
A wireless access point to replace the need for wired network connections
- D
A hardware firewall to provide additional Ethernet ports for client devices
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
This scenario tests practical knowledge of when to use an unmanaged switch in a small office. In A+ Core 1, technicians are expected to understand the role of common networking devices and select the one that best fits business requirements. An unmanaged switch is appropriate when users need basic plug-and-play Ethernet connectivity with minimal cost and no need for configuration. Managed switches are used when organizations require features such as VLAN support, SNMP monitoring, link aggregation, or port mirroring, but those features are unnecessary here. Wireless access points serve a different purpose by extending wireless access, and firewalls focus on traffic filtering and security. This aligns with standard networking best practices: choose the simplest device that meets the technical and business requirements.
- A. Correct.
Correct. An unmanaged switch is the best fit when the goal is simple, low-cost wired network connectivity without administrative features. It allows multiple Ethernet devices to communicate on the LAN and reach the router, and it is appropriate for small environments that do not require configuration, monitoring, VLANs, or advanced security settings.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. A managed switch can also connect the devices, but it is not the best recommendation for this scenario because the office specifically wants the lowest-cost option and does not need management features. Choosing a managed switch here adds unnecessary cost and complexity for capabilities that will not be used.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. A wireless access point provides Wi-Fi connectivity to wireless clients, but it does not replace the need for multiple wired Ethernet switch ports for desktop PCs and a wired printer. While some access points may include a limited Ethernet uplink or pass-through port, they are not the proper device for expanding wired port availability.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. A hardware firewall is primarily used to filter and protect network traffic between networks. Although some firewall appliances include switch ports, its primary role is security, not economical LAN port expansion. For simply connecting more wired devices on the same local network, a switch is the proper solution.