A technician is connecting multiple switches to create a large network for a new office. The switches are unmanaged Layer 2 switches with multiple connections between each pair. The network is experiencing an extreme amount of latency. Which of the following is MOST likely occurring?
When using unmanaged Layer 2 switches with multiple connections between each pair of switches, the network can experience what is known as a broadcast storm. This phenomenon happens because unmanaged switches lack the capability to control or limit broadcast traffic. In a broadcast storm, broadcast packets are continuously sent and amplified through the network, leading all devices to process numerous, redundant broadcast frames, which in turn causes significant network latency and performance degradation.
broadcast storm Traffic that is recirculated and amplified by loops in a switching topology, causing network slowdowns and crashing switches.
Broadcast storm as the switches are unmanaged.
oops the trick was in the wording that I missed. It said routing loops and it tricked me because I saw the switching loop, which causes broadcast loops. The answer did not say "switching loop" but "routing loops". These are trick questions to test your eye sight
I thought the answer was [D] Routing Loops; until I did a bit more research. My understanding now is that due to it being an unmanaged switch, there would be routing loops, but those routing loops would cause [C] Broadcase Storms, and the Broadcast Storms are the reason for the latency. This is sort of an Event One causes Event Two which causes Event Three situation where the question is specifically asking for what caused Event Three.... I now understand that [C] is the correct answer.
the trick is that they are talking about Switches not routers, the test loves to play very simple tricks so you pick the wrong answer
If you have redundant links set up, it is important to utilize STP to prevent loops within the network. If a loop occurs, the performance of the entire network can be degraded due to broadcast storms.
In a network with unmanaged Layer 2 switches and multiple connections between each pair of switches, extreme latency can be attributed to a phenomenon known as broadcast storms or network loops. Broadcast Storms: In an Ethernet network, broadcasts are used for various purposes, including address resolution (ARP) and DHCP requests. When a broadcast frame is sent by one device, it is typically received and processed by all devices within the broadcast domain (a LAN segment). Unmanaged switches do not have the capability to control or limit broadcast traffic. Use Managed Switches: Consider replacing unmanaged switches with managed switches. Managed switches provide greater control and monitoring capabilities, allowing you to proactively address issues like loops and excessive broadcast traffic.
C. A broadcast storm is most likely occurring.
A broadcast storm is an abnormally high number of broadcast packets within a short period of time. They can overwhelm switches and endpoints as they struggle to keep up with processing the flood of packets. When this happens, network performance degrades.
what is the solution to broadcast storms?
making sure STP is activated in a managed switch