9. 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 specifically designed to extend the range of a network by amplifying the signal, thereby allowing connections over greater distances.
A) Firewall
A firewall is primarily used for network security by controlling incoming and outgoing traffic based on predetermined security rules. It does not extend cable range or increase signal strength, making it irrelevant to the question.
B) Repeater
A repeater is the correct choice as it is explicitly designed to regenerate and amplify signals in a network, thus extending the distance that the signal can travel. This functionality is essential for maintaining the integrity of data transmission over long distances.
C) Router
A router directs data packets between different networks and manages traffic within a network. While it can help in connecting multiple devices, it does not amplify or extend signal strength in the same way a repeater does.
D) Switch
A switch connects devices within the same network and manages data traffic by forwarding data only to the intended devices. It does not increase signal strength or extend cable range, which are key functions of a repeater.
Conclusion
The repeater is the only option that specifically addresses the need to extend cable range and increase signal strength, making it the definitive correct answer. All other options serve different functions in networking and do not fulfill the requirements of the question.