CCNA: Cisco Certified Network Associate — Question 737

Which key function is provided by the data plane?

Answer options

• A. Originating packets
• B. Exchanging routing table data
• C. Making routing decisions
• D. Forwarding traffic to the next hop

Correct answer: D

Explanation

The data plane is responsible for the actual transmission of data packets, which includes forwarding traffic to the next hop. Options A, B, and C refer to functions associated with other components of networking, such as the control plane, rather than the core task of the data plane.