how many broadcast domains are present in a network with three switches and three routers
To determine the number of broadcast domains in a network with three switches and three routers, you need to understand the concept of a broadcast domain and how it relates to switches and routers.
1. Broadcast Domain: A broadcast domain is a logical division of a computer network where all devices can receive broadcast packets sent by one device. A broadcast packet is a message sent to all devices in a network segment, requesting a response or sharing information.
2. Switches: Switches divide network traffic into separate collision domains, which represent the physical segments of a network where collisions can occur. However, all ports on a switch are by default in the same broadcast domain. This means that if a broadcast packet is sent, it will be forwarded to all ports on the switch.
3. Routers: Routers, on the other hand, are boundary devices that separate different networks or network segments. Each interface on a router represents a separate network. As routers are used to connect different networks, they typically define separate broadcast domains. Broadcast packets do not traverse routers.
Now, considering the scenario of a network with three switches and three routers, we can make the following assumptions:
- Each switch creates a separate broadcast domain by default. So, a network with three switches will have three broadcast domains for each switch.
- Each router creates a separate broadcast domain by default as well. So, a network with three routers will have three broadcast domains for each router.
Therefore, the total number of broadcast domains in the given network will be the sum of broadcast domains created by switches and routers: 3 (from switches) + 3 (from routers) = 6 broadcast domains.
Hence, the network with three switches and three routers will have six broadcast domains.