Question

An analog device which regenerates the weakened signal appearing on the cable and puts them back is known as

• A. Switch
• B. Modem
• C. Bridge
• D. Repeater

Hint:

Repeater = Overcomes attenuation by regenerating weak signals at Layer 1.
Remember: Repeaters do not read packet addresses or inspect data; they purely restore signal waveforms.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Concept:
As electrical or electromagnetic signals travel along network transmission cables, they encounter resistance, leading to loss of energy and signal degradation, a phenomenon called attenuation.

Step 1: Role and Mechanism of a Repeater:
A Repeater is a hardware device operating at the Physical Layer (Layer 1) of the OSI model.
Its primary function is to intercept weak, distorted incoming signals, amplify or reconstruct them to their original strength and shape, and retransmit them down subsequent cable segments.
This extends the maximum physical distance over which a local network can reliably operate without data corruption.

Step 2: Comparison with Other Options:
A Switch forwards frames using MAC addresses at Layer 2.
A Modem performs digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital signal conversion.
A Bridge connects and filters traffic between two separate LAN segments based on MAC addresses.
Final Answer:
The device that regenerates weakened signals along network cables is a Repeater.