Layer 2 Switch Characteristic: VLAN Segmentation via Tagging

200-301 By islever Editorial Last updated

Configure and verify VLANs (normal range) spanning multiple switches

Short answer

D A Layer 2 switch supports network segmentation using tagging protocols such as 802.1Q VLAN tags.

Question

What is a characteristic of a Layer 2 switch?
  1. tracks the number of active TCP connections
  2. maintains stateful transaction information
  3. filters based on a transport layer protocol
  4. supports segmentation using tagging protocols Correct Answer

Key Takeaways

The L2 switch's segmentation mechanism is VLAN tagging (802.1Q), not stateful/L3/L4 awareness — those belong to firewalls or L3/L4 devices.

A Layer 2 switch forwards on MAC addresses and segments a broadcast domain using VLANs, carried across trunks by 802.1Q tagging. It is connectionless at L2 and does not track TCP sessions or filter on transport-layer protocols.

Common mistake: Picking A/B/C: tracking TCP connections (A), stateful info (B), and transport-layer filtering (C) are firewall/L3-L4 behaviors, not L2 switch functions.

Expert Analysis

Why the Answer Is Correct

D is correct. A defining Layer 2 switch characteristic is segmenting the network with tagging protocols — 802.1Q VLAN tags — to separate broadcast domains across a trunk.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

A is wrong: tracking TCP connections is stateful firewall/L4 behavior. B is wrong: maintaining stateful transaction information is not an L2 switch role. C is wrong: filtering on a transport-layer protocol is L4, not L2 switching.

Community Comment Notes

The vote is D (100). Commenters translate 'tagging protocols' plainly as VLANs and note Cisco describes L2 switches as supporting segmentation via tagging.

Official Reference

https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/s/ccna-exam-topics

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Community Votes

D
100%

100% of anonymous learners picked answer D. Votes are pick records left by other test-takers — they are not the verified answer.

Discussion 3 contributions

Compiled from public community threads and reader submissions, lightly edited for clarity. Handles and vote tallies are shown as recorded, and comments reflect the views of individual contributors.

From public community threads 3

  1. Joshua25 👍 2
    Answer is D. Cisco: Supports segmentation using tagging protocols. Examinee: Say it in human language! Cisco: VLAN
  2. Joseluis1967 👍 1 Answered D
    Layer 2 switches are capable of supporting network segmentation using tagging protocols, such as VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks) xd
  3. bymrdas 👍 1 Answered D
    Correct

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