What feature should the IT manager ensure the new network devices support to maintain compatibility with older devices?

The requirement for new network devices to support autonegotiation is essential for maintaining compatibility with older devices. Autonegotiation is a protocol that enables devices on a network to automatically exchange information about their capabilities, such as speed and duplex mode. This ensures that both new and older devices can effectively communicate with each other without manual configuration.

When newer network devices have autonegotiation enabled, they can adapt to the settings of legacy devices, facilitating smooth integration into a pre-existing network infrastructure. This adaptability is particularly important when dealing with different generations of technology that may have varying specifications. By supporting autonegotiation, the IT manager can ensure that connections are established with optimal settings that account for both the current devices and any older counterparts still in use.

The other options, while relevant in certain contexts, do not specifically address compatibility concerns with older devices in the same way. For example, full-duplex communication enhances performance but does not inherently resolve compatibility issues. Higher bandwidth may be useful but doesn’t guarantee that older devices can utilize it properly due to potential mismatches in technology. Wireless capabilities could be beneficial, but they might not be applicable if the older devices are wired-only, highlighting why autonegotiation is the most critical feature for this scenario.