TestOut LabSim A+ Certification Practice Exam

Which hardware device regenerates a signal out all connected ports without examining the frame or packet contents?

1. Router

2. Bridge

3. Hub

4. Switch

The correct answer is: Hub

The correct answer is that a hub regenerates a signal out of all connected ports without examining the frame or packet contents. Hubs operate at the physical layer of the OSI model, which means they do not inspect or process the data being transmitted. When a hub receives a data signal from one of its ports, it simply amplifies the signal and broadcasts it to all other ports. This characteristic makes hubs simple and basic networking devices, responsible for ensuring that all connected devices receive the data packets, regardless of their intended destination. In contrast, routers, bridges, and switches perform processing that involves examining the data packets or frames. Routers operate at the network layer, directing data between networks based on IP addresses. Bridges work at the data link layer, connecting different segments of a network and filtering traffic based on MAC addresses to reduce unnecessary data transmission. Switches, also functioning at the data link layer, analyze incoming frames and intelligently forward them only to the specific port where the destination device is connected, rather than broadcasting the frame to all ports. This difference in functionality highlights why a hub is unique in its operation compared to these other devices.