Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Practice Exam

How do VLANs impact broadcast traffic in a network?

1. They increase overall broadcast traffic

2. They decrease the number of broadcast domains

3. They separate broadcast traffic by creating smaller broadcast domains

4. They make broadcast traffic irrelevant

The correct answer is: They separate broadcast traffic by creating smaller broadcast domains

VLANs, or Virtual Local Area Networks, are designed to create distinct broadcast domains within a physical network. By segmenting a network into different VLANs, broadcast traffic is confined to the specific VLAN to which devices belong. This means that a broadcast sent by one device will only be received by devices within the same VLAN, rather than being broadcasted throughout the entire network. As a result, the use of VLANs significantly reduces the overall broadcast traffic in the network, improving performance and reducing congestion. This separation of broadcast traffic is beneficial for managing network resources and enhancing security, as it allows for better control over data flow and reduces the chance of broadcast storms, which can degrade network performance. By partitioning the network in this way, VLANs help maintain an efficient and organized network architecture.