CCNA Switching and Network Access Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of switching and network access. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. A key principle to apply: a multilayer switch uses SVIs as Layer 3 interfaces to route traffic between VLANs internally without external routers.. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A multilayer switch has SVIs for VLAN 10 and VLAN 20, but hosts in those VLANs still cannot reach each other. The SVIs are up/up. Which additional condition is most likely required?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
IP routing must be enabled on the multilayer switch
If the SVIs are up but inter-VLAN traffic still fails, the most likely missing condition is that IP routing is not enabled on the multilayer switch. In plain language, the switch has the VLAN gateway interfaces present, but it has not been told to behave as a Layer 3 router between them. Without IP routing enabled, the SVIs can exist and still not actually route traffic between VLANs.
This is a classic multilayer-switch design issue because many learners assume the presence of SVIs alone automatically creates routing. In reality, routed forwarding between VLANs still requires the switch to operate as a Layer 3 device. That is why enabling routing is the best answer.
Key principle: A multilayer switch uses SVIs as Layer 3 interfaces to route traffic between VLANs internally without external routers.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
IP routing must be enabled on the multilayer switch
Why this is correct
This is correct because the switch needs Layer 3 routing enabled to route between active SVIs.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
A multilayer switch uses SVIs as Layer 3 interfaces to route traffic between VLANs internally without external routers.
✗
Every access port must be converted to a trunk
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because host-facing access ports do not all need to become trunks for inter-VLAN routing.
When this WOULD be correct
In a scenario where the question specifies that all devices in VLAN 10 and VLAN 20 are connected to access ports and the switch is configured to only allow trunking for inter-VLAN traffic, converting access ports to trunk ports would be necessary for communication between the VLANs.
✗
DHCP snooping must be disabled globally
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because DHCP snooping does not generally determine whether SVIs can route between VLANs.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different exam scenario, if the question stated that hosts in VLAN 10 and VLAN 20 were unable to obtain IP addresses due to rogue DHCP servers, then disabling DHCP snooping globally could allow the hosts to receive valid IP addresses and communicate with each other.
✗
The switch must remove all VLAN assignments
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because VLAN assignments are central to the design, not something to remove.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario where a question asks about a switch that has misconfigured VLANs and the requirement is to reset the switch to a default state to troubleshoot connectivity issues, removing all VLAN assignments would be the correct step to start fresh.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The 200-301 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓IP routing must be enabled on the multilayer switchCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
This is correct because the switch needs Layer 3 routing enabled to route between active SVIs.
✗Every access port must be converted to a trunkWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Converting all access ports to trunk ports is unnecessary and incorrect for inter-VLAN routing. Access ports belong to a single VLAN, and hosts connect via access ports. Trunk ports are used to carry multiple VLANs between switches, not to connect end hosts. Changing all ports to trunks would break connectivity for hosts.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a scenario where the question specifies that all devices in VLAN 10 and VLAN 20 are connected to access ports and the switch is configured to only allow trunking for inter-VLAN traffic, converting access ports to trunk ports would be necessary for communication between the VLANs.
Why candidates choose this
Students may confuse trunking with the need to carry multiple VLANs across links. They might think that to route between VLANs, all ports must be trunks, but in reality, routing happens at Layer 3 on the SVI, not at the access port level.
✗DHCP snooping must be disabled globallyWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
DHCP snooping is a security feature that filters DHCP messages and does not affect Layer 3 routing between VLANs. Disabling it would not enable inter-VLAN communication. The issue is routing, not DHCP.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different exam scenario, if the question stated that hosts in VLAN 10 and VLAN 20 were unable to obtain IP addresses due to rogue DHCP servers, then disabling DHCP snooping globally could allow the hosts to receive valid IP addresses and communicate with each other.
Why candidates choose this
DHCP snooping can interfere with IP address assignment, and students might assume that without proper DHCP, hosts cannot communicate. However, the question states hosts cannot reach each other, implying a routing problem, not a DHCP issue.
✗The switch must remove all VLAN assignmentsWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Removing all VLAN assignments would break the network entirely, as hosts would lose their VLAN membership and connectivity. VLANs are essential for segmenting the network; removing them would not solve the routing issue.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario where a question asks about a switch that has misconfigured VLANs and the requirement is to reset the switch to a default state to troubleshoot connectivity issues, removing all VLAN assignments would be the correct step to start fresh.
Why candidates choose this
A student might think that VLANs are causing the isolation and that removing them would allow all hosts to be in the same broadcast domain. However, this would defeat the purpose of VLANs and is not a valid solution for inter-VLAN routing.
Analysis generated from the official 200-301blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Don't assume SVIs automatically enable routing; IP routing must be explicitly configured.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
A multilayer switch (MLS) combines Layer 2 switching and Layer 3 routing capabilities in a single device. It uses Switched Virtual Interfaces (SVIs) as logical Layer 3 interfaces for VLANs, allowing the switch to route traffic between VLANs internally without needing an external router. Each SVI represents the default gateway for hosts in its VLAN, enabling inter-VLAN communication when routing is active.
However, having SVIs up/up only means the VLAN interfaces are operational at Layer 3. For inter-VLAN routing to function, the multilayer switch must have IP routing explicitly enabled. Without enabling IP routing, the device treats SVIs as separate interfaces but does not forward packets between them. This setting activates the routing engine, allowing the switch to perform Layer 3 forwarding between VLANs.
A common exam trap is assuming that SVIs alone automatically enable routing. Many candidates overlook the need to enable the global "ip routing" command on Cisco multilayer switches. Practically, this means that even if SVIs show as up/up, hosts in different VLANs cannot communicate until IP routing is enabled, which activates the routing process and allows inter-VLAN traffic to flow.
KKey Concepts to Remember
A multilayer switch uses SVIs as Layer 3 interfaces to route traffic between VLANs internally without external routers.
SVIs being up/up indicates the VLAN interfaces are operational but does not guarantee inter-VLAN routing is active.
IP routing must be enabled globally on a multilayer switch to activate Layer 3 forwarding between SVIs.
Without enabling IP routing, the multilayer switch will not route packets between VLANs despite SVIs being up.
Access ports connected to hosts remain in access mode and do not need to be converted to trunks for inter-VLAN routing.
DHCP snooping does not affect the ability of SVIs to route traffic between VLANs and is unrelated to inter-VLAN routing.
Removing VLAN assignments would disrupt network segmentation and prevent VLAN-based communication, so it is not a solution.
Enabling IP routing on a multilayer switch is a fundamental step to allow inter-VLAN communication through SVIs.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
A multilayer switch uses SVIs as Layer 3 interfaces to route traffic between VLANs internally without external routers.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A help-desk technician troubleshoots why a newly connected PC cannot reach shared printers on the same floor. The cable is good, the switch port is active, but the PC is in VLAN 20 and the printers are in VLAN 10. The uplink trunk only allows VLAN 10. A trunk being up does not mean every VLAN crosses it.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 200-301 question in full detail.
Review a multilayer switch uses SVIs as Layer 3 interfaces to route traffic between VLANs internally without external routers., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Switching and Network Access — This question tests Switching and Network Access — A multilayer switch uses SVIs as Layer 3 interfaces to route traffic between VLANs internally without external routers..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: IP routing must be enabled on the multilayer switch — If the SVIs are up but inter-VLAN traffic still fails, the most likely missing condition is that IP routing is not enabled on the multilayer switch. In plain language, the switch has the VLAN gateway interfaces present, but it has not been told to behave as a Layer 3 router between them. Without IP routing enabled, the SVIs can exist and still not actually route traffic between VLANs.
This is a classic multilayer-switch design issue because many learners assume the presence of SVIs alone automatically creates routing. In reality, routed forwarding between VLANs still requires the switch to operate as a Layer 3 device. That is why enabling routing is the best answer.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review a multilayer switch uses SVIs as Layer 3 interfaces to route traffic between VLANs internally without external routers., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
A multilayer switch uses SVIs as Layer 3 interfaces to route traffic between VLANs internally without external routers.
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