Which of the following is NOT a responsibility of network infrastructure hardware?

The correct answer highlights that providing permanent storage is not a responsibility of network infrastructure hardware. Network infrastructure primarily focuses on enabling the connection and communication between devices within a network. This includes components such as routers, switches, and firewalls, which facilitate data transmission and help maintain the overall network layout and design.

While data security is an important consideration for network infrastructure, the hardware itself does not inherently maintain security; rather, it requires additional software solutions and configurations to achieve this. In contrast, permanent storage is more related to data management systems, such as databases or storage devices, rather than the infrastructure that supports network connectivity.

Thus, the focus of network infrastructure hardware is predominantly on connectivity, communication, and layout, making it clear why providing permanent storage falls outside its primary responsibilities.