When a switch receives a broadcast frame, how does it handle it?

When a switch receives a broadcast frame, it operates under the principle that broadcast frames are intended to reach all devices within the same network segment or VLAN. Therefore, the switch sends the broadcast frame out through all of its active ports, ensuring it reaches every device that is part of the segment, regardless of VLAN boundaries.

This behavior is fundamental to how Ethernet and Layer 2 switching operates. In a typical scenario, a broadcast frame is meant for all devices within a local broadcast domain, which is defined by a VLAN. By forwarding the broadcast out all switch ports, the switch enables devices that need to receive the broadcast message to do so, thereby allowing for processes such as ARP requests and other necessary communication to occur within the local network.

The other choices presented do not align with how broadcast frames are handled by switches. In particular, forwarding only to designated VLAN ports does not accommodate all devices that could be part of the same broadcast domain if multiple VLANs are in use. Moreover, queuing the frame is not a standard action for broadcasts; they are typically transmitted immediately. Lastly, dropping the frame if no MAC address is known contradicts the basic principle of broadcasting, which is aimed at reaching all devices, regardless of prior knowledge about them.

Thus,