A small office wants a device that enforces allow and deny rules between the office LAN and the internet. Which device does that?
Select an answer to reveal the explanation.
Short Explanation
You need a device that decides what may pass between the office LAN and the internet. A firewall on that path enforces the rules; an unmanaged switch, patch panel, and access point do not.
Full Explanation
A firewall examines traffic and enforces rules about what is allowed or denied. Placed between the LAN and the internet, it is the device the office needs. An unmanaged switch forwards frames without a rule list, so it does not decide what may go to the internet. A patch panel only terminates cables; it does not filter packets. An access point provides Wi-Fi, but clients that associate to it still need a firewall if the office wants allow and deny rules on the internet path. Exam caveat: a wireless router often includes a firewall, a switch, and an access point in one box. The function this question asks for is the firewall, whichever box provides it. Operational check: put the firewall in the path, block a test port, and confirm an outside attempt to that port fails while an allowed session works. Block a test port and confirm an outside attempt fails. Allow a normal web session and confirm that session still works. Write the blocked test port in the change ticket.