CCNA Network Infrastructure and Connectivity Practice Question
A switch displays the following output:
Interface Status VLAN
Gi1/0/5 connected 20 Gi1/0/6 notconnect 1 Gi1/0/24 trunk trunk
Which interface is operating as an access port in VLAN 20?
⚠ Common exam trap
Be careful not to confuse trunk ports with access ports or assume interfaces not shown in the output are relevant.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Gi1/0/5
The output explicitly shows Gi1/0/5 in VLAN 20 and not operating as a trunk.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Gi1/0/5
Why this is correct
The output for Gi1/0/5 shows an interface that is up/connected and explicitly assigned to VLAN 20 as an access port, which exactly matches the requirement stated in the question. The status column indicates the link is active, and the VLAN column confirms membership in VLAN 20, leaving no doubt that this is the correct interface.
- ✗
Gi1/0/6
Why it's wrong here
While Gi1/0/6 is an access port, its VLAN assignment is VLAN 1, the default VLAN, rather than VLAN 20. The interface may be connected, but the output clearly places it in VLAN 1, so it fails the requirement of being in VLAN 20 and therefore cannot be the interface described in the question.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question asked for an interface that is not currently operational but was previously configured as an access port in VLAN 20, Gi1/0/6 could be the correct answer. This could occur in a scenario where the interface has been administratively shut down but retains its VLAN assignment.
- ✗
Gi1/0/24
Why it's wrong here
Gi1/0/24 is configured as a trunk port, not an access port, so it does not have a single access VLAN assignment like the required interface. A trunk port carries multiple VLANs using 802.1Q tagging, and its native VLAN only applies to untagged traffic, making it impossible to match the specific access-VLAN criterion of VLAN 20.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question asked which interface is configured to allow traffic for multiple VLANs, or if it specified that Gi1/0/24 was set to access mode for VLAN 20, then this option would be correct.
- ✗
None of the interfaces
Why it's wrong here
Because the switch output definitively identifies Gi1/0/5 as an up/connected access port with VLAN 20 membership, the claim that no interfaces match is false. The presence of at least one matching interface disproves the 'None of the interfaces' option, which would only be valid if every interface lacked the combination of connected status and VLAN 20 assignment.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario where the question states that all interfaces are configured as trunk ports or are not assigned to any VLAN, then 'None of the interfaces' would be correct if no access port exists for VLAN 20.
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.
✓Gi1/0/5Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
The output for Gi1/0/5 shows an interface that is up/connected and explicitly assigned to VLAN 20 as an access port, which exactly matches the requirement stated in the question. The status column indicates the link is active, and the VLAN column confirms membership in VLAN 20, leaving no doubt that this is the correct interface.
✗Gi1/0/6Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Gi1/0/6 is an access port in VLAN 1 (the default VLAN), not VLAN 20. The question specifically asks for an interface operating as an access port in VLAN 20, so this option is incorrect.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question asked for an interface that is not currently operational but was previously configured as an access port in VLAN 20, Gi1/0/6 could be the correct answer. This could occur in a scenario where the interface has been administratively shut down but retains its VLAN assignment.
Why candidates choose this
A student might see that Gi1/0/6 is an access port (since it shows a VLAN number and not 'trunk') and assume it could be in VLAN 20, but the output clearly shows it is in VLAN 1.
✗Gi1/0/24Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Gi1/0/24 is configured as a trunk port, which carries traffic for multiple VLANs and is not an access port. Access ports belong to a single VLAN, so this option is incorrect.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question asked which interface is configured to allow traffic for multiple VLANs, or if it specified that Gi1/0/24 was set to access mode for VLAN 20, then this option would be correct.
Why candidates choose this
A student might confuse the word 'trunk' in the VLAN column with being a trunk port, but the question asks for an access port, and trunk ports are not access ports.
✗None of the interfacesWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Gi1/0/5 is clearly an access port in VLAN 20, so there is an interface that matches the description. Therefore, 'None of the interfaces' is incorrect.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario where the question states that all interfaces are configured as trunk ports or are not assigned to any VLAN, then 'None of the interfaces' would be correct if no access port exists for VLAN 20.
Why candidates choose this
A student might overlook Gi1/0/5 if they misinterpret the output or think that 'connected' status does not imply access port, but the VLAN assignment confirms it.
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?”
Visual reference
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Related to this question
Learn chapter
Native VLAN Security
Key term
Interface
An interface is a point of connection or interaction between two systems, devices, or software components that allows them to exchange information or signals.
Key term
Switch
A switch is a networking device that connects devices on a local area network and uses MAC addresses to forward data only to the intended recipient.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 200-301 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-301 exam.