Improving performance and shrinking broadcast domains You need to both increase bandwidth available to hosts and reduce the size of Layer 2 broadcast domains across the network. Which option best accomplishes both objectives simultaneously?

Introduction / Context:
As networks grow, two common goals are to increase per-user bandwidth and to reduce the impact of broadcast traffic. Layer 2 switches already help by creating separate collision domains per port, but broadcast frames still flood within the same VLAN. To shrink broadcast domains without adding routers at every segment, VLANs are used on switches to logically partition the network.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Requirement 1: Increase available bandwidth to endpoints.
• Requirement 2: Reduce the size of broadcast domains.
• Environment: Layer 2/Layer 3 Ethernet-based campus.

Concept / Approach:

Switches provide micro-segmentation, eliminating collisions and increasing effective bandwidth compared to hubs. However, all ports in a single VLAN still share a broadcast domain. Creating multiple VLANs on switches limits broadcast scope to the members of each VLAN. Inter-VLAN communication can be handled via a router or a multilayer switch, maintaining segmentation benefits while enabling controlled connectivity.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Measure broadcast traffic before and after VLAN deployment; observe reduced ARP and broadcast storms per VLAN. Throughput tests should show improved performance due to micro-segmentation and reduced unnecessary traffic.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Managed hubs: Still single collision domain; do not limit broadcast domains.
• Bridges: Reduce collision domains but scale poorly and still share broadcasts at segment level.
• Switches (no VLANs): Improve bandwidth but do not shrink broadcast domains.
• Repeaters: Purely physical-layer; no effect on bandwidth per user or broadcast domains.

Common Pitfalls:

• Assuming switches alone reduce broadcast domains; VLANs are required for that.
• Forgetting inter-VLAN routing to enable necessary cross-VLAN communication.

Final Answer:

Switches configured with VLANs