What advantage do managed switches offer over unmanaged switches?

Managed switches provide several enhanced functionalities compared to unmanaged switches, making option B the most accurate choice. One of the primary advantages of managed switches is their remote management capabilities. This means that network administrators can configure, monitor, and troubleshoot the switch from a remote location using various management protocols and interfaces such as SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) or a web-based GUI. This remote access facilitates more efficient network management, allowing for real-time adjustments and alerts if issues arise.

In contrast, unmanaged switches are typically plug-and-play devices that do not offer any configuration options. While they are simple and generally less expensive, they lack the flexibility and control that managed switches provide. This makes managed switches more suitable for large and complex network environments where traffic management, segmentation, and security policies need to be finely tuned.

Other options, such as lower cost, increased port density, and quicker setup, do not accurately reflect the primary benefits of managed switches as compared to unmanaged switches. In fact, managed switches tend to be more expensive due to their advanced features, and their setup can be more complex and time-consuming due to the need for configuration.