Which term is a network device that connects network segments?

• A. Router
• B. Cloud
• C. Ethernet Switch
• D. DNS

Answer: (C)

Connecting network segments within a local area is what an Ethernet switch does. A switch sits between multiple devices and links different physical segments together through its ports, forwarding frames from one segment to the correct destination using MAC addresses. This creates a cohesive network where devices across those segments can communicate as if they were on the same network, while keeping traffic organized per port. A router, by contrast, connects different networks or subnets and routes IP packets between them, which is why it’s not the best fit for simply linking segments of a single LAN. DNS is a name-to-IP resolver, not a device that connects segments, and a cloud refers to hosted services rather than a specific interconnecting device. So the term that best fits a device that connects network segments is the Ethernet switch.