Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) — Question 365

Recently, an unknown event has disrupted a single Layer-2 network that spans between two geographically diverse data centers. The network engineers have asked for assistance in identifying the root cause of the event. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?

Answer options

• A. Smurf attack
• B. Misconfigured routing protocol
• C. Broadcast domain too large
• D. Address spoofing

Correct answer: C

Explanation

The correct answer, C, 'Broadcast domain too large,' suggests that excessive broadcast traffic can overwhelm devices, causing disruptions in a Layer-2 network. Options A, B, and D are less likely since a Smurf attack typically targets Layer-3, misconfigured routing protocols affect Layer-3 routing, and address spoofing usually pertains to security concerns rather than broadcast domain issues.