N10-009 Question 122
Single answer1.8 Summarize evolving use cases for modern network environments.A retail company is redesigning its network for a new group of small pop-up stores. Each site has only a broadband internet connection, no dedicated IT staff, and a few cloud-managed devices such as wireless access points, IP cameras, and point-of-sale terminals. The company wants to minimize the need for on-site configuration, allow centralized policy enforcement, and securely connect each store to applications hosted in the cloud and at headquarters. Which solution BEST fits this requirement?
- A
Deploy a software-defined WAN (SD-WAN) solution to centrally manage site connectivity and policies over the existing internet links
- B
Install a legacy WAN using leased lines at every pop-up store to provide fixed private connectivity to headquarters
- C
Use a screened subnet at each store as the primary method for centralized management of branch connectivity
- D
Implement port mirroring on the store switches so headquarters can remotely control traffic paths and enforce application policies
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The best answer is SD-WAN because it reflects an evolving modern network environment use case: centrally managed branch connectivity over standard internet links. Network+ objectives commonly emphasize technologies such as SDN and SD-WAN as modern alternatives to traditional WAN designs, especially for cloud-connected and distributed organizations. In real deployments, SD-WAN improves agility, reduces dependence on MPLS or leased lines for every site, and supports centralized configuration templates and policy management. This is especially valuable in retail, healthcare, and franchise environments where many small sites must be brought online quickly. Best-practice guidance from major networking vendors and industry documentation consistently describes SD-WAN as a branch networking solution that uses centralized orchestration, secure overlays, and application-aware traffic handling across geographically dispersed sites.
- A. Correct.
Correct. SD-WAN is a modern network use case specifically designed for distributed sites that rely on commodity internet access while still needing centralized orchestration, application-aware routing, and consistent security policies. In this scenario, SD-WAN reduces the need for local IT intervention and is well suited for temporary or small branch locations such as pop-up stores.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Leased lines can provide private WAN connectivity, but they are typically expensive, slower to deploy, and less flexible for temporary or small branch environments. This does not align well with pop-up stores that need rapid deployment and minimal on-site setup. Choosing this option reflects the misconception that traditional private WAN circuits are always the best choice for branch connectivity.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. A screened subnet, also called a DMZ, is used to isolate public-facing services from an internal network. It is not a WAN architecture for centralized branch management or cloud connectivity. Someone might choose this because it sounds security-related, but it does not address centralized policy orchestration across multiple sites.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Port mirroring copies traffic to a monitoring interface for analysis, such as with an IDS or packet capture tool. It does not provide centralized path control, branch orchestration, or application-aware WAN policy enforcement. This distractor targets the misconception that visibility and management are the same thing.