Virtual LANs

Correct Answer: Create a VLAN for each department and configure access control rules.

The best way to increase a network's security by segmenting it into different VLANs, especially when the network contains separate departments like IT, Marketing, and HR, is to create a VLAN for each department and configure access control rules. This allows each department to have its own virtual network, effectively segmenting the overall network for security purposes. Further, configuring access control rules would restrict and control inter-VLAN communication as per the requirement. On the other hand, disabling VLANs and relying on physical segmentation is not the most effective or efficient solution in this case because it would require substantial physical resources and fail to provide the flexibility offered by VLANs. Similarly, assigning all departments to the same VLAN would not address the need for segmentation at all. Port security is an important aspect of network security but it alone does not provide the kind of segmentation and control over communication that this scenario requires.

Correct Answer: Configure an interface on VLAN 20 and assign it to Dave's computer.

The best way to grant Dave access to the printer located in the Finance department without affecting existing security is to 'Configure an interface on VLAN 20 and assign it to Dave's computer.' This way, Dave's computer will be able to access the printer without affecting the rest of the network. This is also the least disruptive option, as it doesn't require any major modifications to the current VLAN configuration. Other answers are not the best solutions because: - 'Combine VLAN 10 and VLAN 20 into a single VLAN.' - This would reduce the effectiveness of the network segmentation and compromise the security and performance benefits that VLANs provide. This solution would also affect all devices on both VLANs, not just Dave's access to the Finance printer - 'Remove VLAN 20 from the switch configuration.' - This would not only be disruptive to the Finance department, as all their devices would lose network connectivity, but it would also not directly solve the problem. The printer would still need to be added to a VLAN that Dave's computer can access - 'Move the Finance department's printer to VLAN 10.' - Although this would technically allow Dave to access the printer, it would also expose the Finance department's printer to an unnecessary security risk by placing it on the IT department's VLAN.

Correct Answer: Create a trunk link between VLAN 30 and VLAN 40 on the respective switches.

Creating a trunk link between VLAN 30 and VLAN 40 on their respective switches is the best solution to offer the required access. Trunk links facilitate communication between different VLANs, thus enabling devices in VLAN 40 to access resources in VLAN 30 as required, yet keeping the network segments separated for traffic management and security purposes. The other options are not ideal solutions. Merging VLAN 30 and VLAN 40 into one VLAN erases the benefits of segmenting the network into VLANs in the first place, such as reducing congestion and increasing security. Assigning required devices from VLAN 40 to VLAN 30 also misses the point of VLANs, which is to allow devices to be logically grouped regardless of their physical location. And disabling VLAN 40 doesn't make sense as it wouldn't provide the required devices with any network access at all.