Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →A REST API query returns this JSON snippet:
{
"interface": {
"name": "GigabitEthernet1",
"admin-status": "up",
"oper-status": "down"
}
}What does this indicate?
mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A REST API query returns this JSON snippet:
{
"interface": {
"name": "GigabitEthernet1",
"admin-status": "up",
"oper-status": "down"
}
}What does this indicate?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Distractor review
The interface is shut down by configuration.
Admin status is up, so it is not administratively shut.
B
Best answer
The interface is enabled but the link is not operational.
Correct. Admin up / oper down indicates no working link or similar fault.
C
Distractor review
The interface is operating normally.
Operational status down means it is not functioning normally.
D
Distractor review
The interface is a loopback.
The output does not indicate a loopback interface.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common exam trap is to assume that an interface with administrative status up is fully operational and passing traffic. Many candidates overlook the operational status and mistakenly believe the interface is functioning normally. This leads to incorrect answers like 'The interface is operating normally' or 'The interface is shut down by configuration.' The exam tests your ability to distinguish between configuration state (admin status) and actual link state (oper status), so ignoring operational status can cause you to fail this question.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
In Cisco networking, an interface has two key status indicators: administrative status and operational status. The administrative status reflects the configuration state set by the network administrator, indicating whether the interface is enabled (up) or disabled (down). The operational status shows the real-time state of the interface, indicating whether it is physically and logically able to pass traffic. An interface with an administrative status of up but an operational status of down means the interface is enabled but not currently functioning at the data link or physical layer. The rule for interpreting interface status is that the administrative status must be up for the interface to be active, but the operational status determines if the interface is actually passing traffic. Common causes for an operational down state despite administrative up include no physical link (e.g., unplugged cable), mismatched duplex or speed settings, or hardware faults. Cisco devices use this distinction to help troubleshoot connectivity issues by separating configuration from physical or link-layer problems. A common exam trap is to confuse administrative status with operational status, assuming that an interface with admin up is fully functional. However, operational down means the interface is not passing traffic, which can be due to physical layer issues or protocol mismatches. Practically, this means a network engineer must verify both statuses and investigate physical connectivity or configuration mismatches when operational status is down despite admin up.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- An interface's administrative status indicates whether it is enabled or disabled by configuration on Cisco devices.
- The operational status of an interface reflects its real-time ability to pass traffic and indicates physical or link-layer connectivity.
- An interface with administrative status up but operational status down is enabled but not currently operational due to physical or link issues.
- Cisco IOS distinguishes administrative and operational statuses to help isolate configuration problems from physical connectivity faults.
- Operational down status can result from unplugged cables, hardware faults, or mismatched interface settings despite administrative up.
- Network troubleshooting requires checking both administrative and operational statuses to accurately diagnose interface issues.
- The REST API output showing admin up and oper down indicates the interface is not shut down but has no active link.
- Understanding interface status helps prevent misinterpretation of interface health and avoids incorrect assumptions about connectivity.
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.
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More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A router learns the same prefix from both OSPF and EIGRP. Which route is installed by default?
Question 2
A router shows this output: R1#show ip ospf neighbor Neighbor ID Pri State Dead Time Address Interface 10.1.1.2 1 FULL/DR 00:00:34 192.168.12.2 GigabitEthernet0/0 10.1.1.3 1 2WAY/DROTHER 00:00:39 192.168.12.3 GigabitEthernet0/0 Which statement is correct?
Question 3
What is the OSPF metric called?
Question 4
A non-root switch has two uplinks toward the root bridge. One path has a lower total STP cost than the other. What role will the lower-cost uplink have?
Question 5
A router interface applies this ACL inbound: 10 deny tcp any any eq 80 20 permit ip any any A user reports that web browsing to a server by IP address fails, but ping works. Which statement best explains the behavior?
Question 6
A router learns route 198.51.100.0/24 from OSPF with AD 110 and also has a static route to the same prefix configured with AD 150. Which route is installed?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
An interface's administrative status indicates whether it is enabled or disabled by configuration on Cisco devices.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The interface is enabled but the link is not operational. — The interface is administratively enabled, but it is not operationally passing traffic or achieving link.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
Discussion
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