In IPv4 addressing, what is the difference between a broadcast domain and a collision domain?

• A. A broadcast domain is where unicast frames are forwarded; a collision domain is where collisions can occur on a shared medium.
• B. A broadcast domain is where messages are broadcast; a collision domain is where collisions can occur on a shared medium.
• C. A broadcast domain and a collision domain are the same concept.
• D. A collision domain is where broadcasts are forwarded.

Answer: (B)

Broadcast domains define how far a broadcast frame goes in a network, while collision domains define where data collisions can occur on a shared medium. In IPv4 networks, a broadcast is intended for all devices on the local network segment, and routers do not forward broadcasts, so the boundary is set by routers or VLAN boundaries. Collision domains are about media access contention; on a hub, everyone shares one collision domain, so simultaneous transmissions can collide, whereas switches break up collision domains so each port is its own one. This distinction makes the statement that a broadcast domain is where messages are broadcast and a collision domain is where collisions can occur on a shared medium the correct description.