How can a broadcast storm be prevented?

Implementing network segmentation and proper VLAN configurations effectively prevents broadcast storms by controlling the scope of broadcast traffic. In a network, a broadcast occurs when a packet is sent to all devices within a broadcast domain. If there are no restrictions on the broadcast traffic, it can overwhelm the network, leading to a broadcast storm, which degrades performance and can cause network outages.

By segmenting the network into smaller VLANs, broadcast traffic is contained within each VLAN, preventing it from flooding the entire network. This segmentation allows for more efficient traffic management and reduces the likelihood of broadcast storms since each VLAN operates independently, limiting the scope of broadcasts to only those devices that need to receive them. Additionally, configuring VLANs properly ensures that broadcasts are managed appropriately, which further mitigates the risk of excessive broadcast traffic.

On the other hand, increasing bandwidth, using a single broadcast domain, or connecting all devices to a single switch do not effectively address the problem of broadcast storms. Increased bandwidth may only delay the impact of a broadcast storm rather than prevent it, while a single broadcast domain or connecting all devices to a single switch can exacerbate the issue by allowing broadcasts to affect more devices.