Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Practice Exam

What is the primary function of the management VLAN for a switch?

1. To manage network traffic

2. To provide a dedicated management interface

3. To isolate broadcast traffic

4. To secure access to the switch

The correct answer is: To provide a dedicated management interface

The primary function of the management VLAN for a switch is to provide a dedicated management interface. In networking, the management VLAN is specifically configured to handle the management and monitoring of the switch without interference from normal user traffic. This separation ensures that administrators can access and configure the switch reliably while minimizing the risks associated with network congestion or potential disruptions from user-generated traffic. Using a management VLAN promotes security as well by restricting access to the switch's configuration interfaces to specific devices that are part of the management VLAN. Consequently, all management traffic, such as SNMP, SSH, or web interfaces for configuration, occurs on this VLAN, enhancing the efficiency and clarity of network management tasks. While other functions mentioned, such as managing network traffic or isolating broadcast traffic, have their roles in networking, they do not encapsulate the specific purpose of the management VLAN, which is fundamentally about providing a dedicated means for device management.