An administrator notices that a switch is forwarding frames out of all ports except the one they arrived on, even though the frames are destined for a specific device. What is the most likely cause of this behavior?
The switch is in standby mode.
The switch's CPU is overloaded, causing it to forward frames incorrectly.
A routing protocol is incorrectly configured on the switch.
The switch's MAC address table does not have an entry for the destination MAC address.
When a switch receives a frame with a destination MAC address that is not in its MAC address table, it floods the frame out of all ports except the one it was received on. This is standard behavior for unknown unicast frames—frames with destinations the switch hasn't learned yet. This allows the frame to reach its intended destination, at which point the switch can learn which port is associated with the MAC address for future frames.
The other options are unlikely causes of this behavior:
If the switch's CPU is overloaded, it may drop frames or operate slowly, but it would not specifically flood unicast frames.
Misconfigured routing protocols typically affect layer 3 routing, not layer 2 frame forwarding.
If the switch is in standby mode, it would not be actively forwarding frames at all.
Ask Bash
Bash is our AI bot, trained to help you pass your exam. AI Generated Content may display inaccurate information, always double-check anything important.
What is a MAC address table?
Open an interactive chat with Bash
What happens during MAC learning?
Open an interactive chat with Bash
What is the significance of flooding in switch operations?
Open an interactive chat with Bash
Cisco CCNA 200-301
Network Fundamentals
Your Score:
Report Issue
Bash, the Crucial Exams Chat Bot
AI Bot
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
IT & Cybersecurity Package Join Premium for Full Access