VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks) are the most efficient way to configure network segments, allowing different departments to be logically segmented for security and management purposes.

HSRP is a Cisco proprietary protocol that provides default gateway redundancy and load balancing, allowing for efficient utilization of multiple gateways without manual intervention.

Link Aggregation allows multiple physical switch ports to be bundled together as a single logical link, providing increased bandwidth and redundancy.

The HSRP (Hot Standby Router Protocol) allows for one virtual router to act as a default gateway, backed up by a second router in case the primary fails.

A large number of OSPF areas can impact network performance by increasing LSA propagation and SPF computation overhead, potentially leading to degradation.

Deep packet inspection (DPI) involves analyzing and filtering the actual content of data packets at the application layer, providing advanced security capabilities.

For high-capacity data transmission within a metropolitan area, Fiber Optics is a preferred choice due to its high bandwidth and low signal loss.

In a star topology, all nodes are connected to a central hub or switch, providing simplicity but creating a single point of failure.

Port Security is typically implemented on Access ports to restrict the number of valid MAC addresses.

A major security challenge in SDN is insecure APIs and communication channels between the controller and network devices, posing vulnerabilities.

OpenFlow, as part of SDN, allows granular control of network traffic by defining how packets are forwarded through network devices, enhancing security measures.

Using default passwords poses a major risk by creating vulnerability to unauthorized access, as attackers often exploit devices with unchanged default credentials.