What is required for a switch to communicate with devices on different networks?

For a switch to communicate with devices on different networks, it is essential to have IP address configuration on interfaces. This is because standard Layer 2 switches operate at the data link layer and do not have the capability to understand or route IP packets between different networks. When a switch is configured with IP addresses on its Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) interfaces, it essentially becomes a Layer 3 switch, enabling it to perform routing functions.

This configuration allows the switch to identify the different subnets and route packets accordingly. Each VLAN interface can be set with an IP address representing that VLAN's subnet, facilitating communication across distinct networks by allowing devices on separate VLANs to interact with each other through Layer 3 routing.

The other options are relevant to network functioning but do not directly facilitate communication between devices on different networks as effectively as IP address configuration. Static routes contribute to routing decisions but require a routing capability that a standard switch may not have without the proper configuration. A direct connection to the internet does not inherently enable inter-network communication among local devices; rather, it allows access to external networks. Lastly, Quality of Service (QoS) configuration pertains to managing traffic and prioritizing data flow, which is important for performance but does not enable communication across different