Certified Imaging Informatics Professional (CIIP) Practice Exam

What is the most complex type of network switch?

1. Hub

2. Switch

3. Network router

4. Bridge

The correct answer is: Network router

The most complex type of network switch is indeed the network router. Routers operate at the network layer of the OSI model and are responsible for directing data packets between different networks. Unlike hubs, switches, or bridges, which primarily manage data at the data link layer, routers have the ability to select the best paths for data transmission based on IP addressing. This complexity arises from various functions that a router performs, including routing protocols that help determine the most efficient routes for data, capabilities to connect dissimilar networks, and the ability to integrate security features such as firewall capabilities and VPN support. In contrast, hubs transmit data to all devices within a network without any filtering or switching logic, switches connect devices within the same network efficiently but primarily on the data link level, and bridges also function at the data link layer, connecting similar networks while managing traffic. Therefore, routers provide a higher level of functionality and complexity within a network infrastructure, making them the most sophisticated type of network switch.