1.3 LAN Design
1.3.3 What problem are you trying to solve?
The decision to use an internetworking device depends on which problems you are trying to solve for your client. Media contention refers to excessive collisions on Ethernet caused by too many devices, all with a high demand for the network segment.

The number of broadcasts become excessive when there are too many client packets looking for services, too many server packets announcing services, too many routing table updates, and too many other broadcasts dependent on protocols such as ARP.

The need to transport new payloads includes the need to offer voice and video network services. These services may require much more bandwidth than is available on the network or backbone.

Network layer addressing issues include running out of IP addresses, the need for physically separate subnets, and other issues dependent on the protocols.