What potential issue arises if there are excessive broadcast messages in a network?

Excessive broadcast messages in a network can lead to network performance degradation due to the overwhelming amount of traffic that such broadcasts generate. In Ethernet environments, broadcasts are sent to all devices on the local network segment, and as the number of broadcasts increases, more bandwidth is consumed. This can result in increased latency, packet loss, and overall sluggishness of network communications as devices struggle to process the excessive amount of incoming broadcast traffic.

Moreover, when broadcast traffic is high, it can limit the network's scalability and efficiency. Devices may experience delays in receiving important packets, which can affect the performance of applications relying on timely data transmission. Routers and switches may also consume processing power as they handle numerous broadcasts, diverting resources away from other critical functions.

In contrast, increased security risks may arise from different factors such as vulnerabilities and configurations rather than solely from broadcast traffic. Redundant network links are designed to provide fault tolerance and do not inherently degrade performance. Improper IP address assignment pertains to addressing issues that can lead to conflicts or communication failures, which are distinct from the effects of excessive broadcast messages.