18. Which piece of network equipment extends the cable range and allows connections to be made by increasing the signal strength?
Answer: B
Repeater extends the cable range and increases signal strength.
A repeater is a device specifically designed to extend the range of a network by amplifying the signal, allowing connections to be made over longer distances.
A) Switch
A switch connects multiple devices within a single network and facilitates communication between them. However, it does not amplify or extend the signal over distances; its primary function is data packet switching within a local area network.
B) Repeater
A repeater is the correct choice because it regenerates and amplifies the incoming signal, effectively extending the cable range. This makes it ideal for increasing the distance over which a network can operate without degradation of signal quality.
C) Router
A router directs data packets between different networks and manages traffic. While it can connect devices and route traffic, it does not amplify signals or extend the cable range, which is the key function of a repeater.
D) Firewall
A firewall serves as a security device that controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. It does not perform any function related to extending cable range or increasing signal strength.
Conclusion
The repeater is the only device among the options that fulfills the requirement of extending cable range by increasing signal strength. All other options serve different network functions and do not address the specific need for signal amplification over distance, making the repeater the definitive correct answer.