A technician is searching through a storage locker and finds a cloud-based network controller. What is the purpose of this device?

The purpose of a cloud-based network controller, which the technician found, is to allow a network administrator to manage many remote networking devices from a central location. Cloud-based network controllers are part of a cloud-managed networking architecture. They enable administrators to oversee, configure, and troubleshoot network devices such as routers, switches, and access points through a cloud interface. This approach simplifies network management, especially for distributed networks across multiple locations, by providing centralized control and visibility without the need for physical access to each device.

The other options describe different network components or functions:

• A device placed between two or more networks that protects data and equipment from unauthorized access is typically a firewall. Its primary function is network security, controlling incoming and outgoing network traffic based on security rules.
• A device that connects networks and forwards traffic to remote networks using IP addressing information is a router. Routers direct traffic on the internet or between different networks.
• A device that uses radio waves to provide network access to wireless devices is a wireless access point. It connects wireless devices to a wired network, creating a wireless local area network (WLAN).