What does broadcasting entail in a network context?

• A. Sending data to a specific device
• B. Transmission to all devices on a network
• C. Transmitting data only within a subnetwork
• D. Filtering new devices attempting to connect

Answer: (B)

Broadcasting in a network context refers to the transmission of data to all devices within a particular network segment. This means that when a device sends out a broadcast message, every device connected to that network segment receives it, regardless of whether the individual devices are intended recipients. This is useful for various purposes, such as network discovery and the initial configuration of devices, as it allows for efficient communication across the entire network.

The concept of broadcasting is critical in scenarios like addressing and services such as ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) in IP networks, where a device needs to discover the MAC address associated with a specific IP address. Broadcasting effectively facilitates this communication without requiring prior knowledge of specific device identities.