When monitoring CPU utilization on a switch, what is the recommended criterion?

• A. It should be within the acceptable range.
• B. It should be as high as possible to maximize performance.
• C. It should be ignored during normal operation.
• D. It should always be above 90%.

Answer: (A)

CPU utilization should stay within the switch’s acceptable range to keep forwarding, policy processing, and control-plane tasks running reliably. When the CPU operates within this range, the device has enough headroom to handle normal traffic bursts, management tasks, and any sudden spikes without introducing delays or dropped packets. If the CPU approaches or exceeds the upper limits, performance can degrade, latency can increase, and essential functions may slow down or fail. So the goal is to monitor and keep usage within the safe, expected range, rather than pushing it high or ignoring it.