Which network device is used to separate broadcast domains?

The correct answer is a router, which is designed specifically to separate broadcast domains. In networking, a broadcast domain is a logical division where a group of devices can communicate directly via broadcast without needing to go through a router. When a device sends a broadcast message, all other devices within the same broadcast domain will receive it.

Routers operate at Layer 3 (the Network layer) of the OSI model, allowing them to make decisions based on IP addresses. When a router receives a broadcast packet, it does not forward that packet to any other interfaces. This characteristic makes routers ideal for creating separate broadcast domains, effectively isolating traffic and improving network performance by minimizing unnecessary broadcast traffic.

The other devices mentioned serve different purposes. A repeater acts at Layer 1 (the Physical layer) and simply amplifies signals to extend the distance over which data can travel; it does not create separate broadcast domains. A switch operates at Layer 2 (the Data Link layer) and can segregate collision domains but does not separate broadcast domains unless configured with VLANs. A bridge also works at Layer 2 and is used to connect different segments of a LAN to reduce collision domains, but it does not inherently separate broadcast domains.

Thus, only a router can effectively