Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Practice Exam

What classification does an ISP assign to the Frame Relay switch?

1. Data Terminal Equipment (DTE)

2. Data Circuit-Terminating Equipment (DCE)

3. Local Area Network (LAN)

4. Network Termination Equipment (NTE)

The correct answer is: Data Circuit-Terminating Equipment (DCE)

The classification that an ISP assigns to the Frame Relay switch is Data Circuit-Terminating Equipment (DCE). In a Frame Relay network, the DCE is responsible for providing the clocking and managing the data transmission over the network. It connects to the Data Terminal Equipment (DTE), which is typically the endpoint devices, such as routers or computers, that initiate and control communication. In this context, DCE devices provide the necessary infrastructure to facilitate the transmission of data across the network. They often include functionalities such as signal generation and synchronization within the Frame Relay network, which are essential for maintaining efficient and effective communication between connected DTE devices. The other classifications mentioned do not accurately describe the role of a Frame Relay switch. Data Terminal Equipment refers to end-user devices that communicate through the DCE rather than the network equipment itself. Local Area Network is a broader term that refers to interconnections of devices in a limited geographic area, not specific to Frame Relay. Network Termination Equipment generally refers to devices that provide termination points for various types of digital communication lines, which further distinguishes it from the functionality and role of a Frame Relay switch in a wide area network scenario.