Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A switch interface connects to a user PC and should belong only to VLAN 30. Which command assigns that VLAN after the interface is in access mode?
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
Best answer
switchport access vlan 30
This is correct because it assigns VLAN 30 to the access port.
B
Distractor review
switchport trunk allowed vlan 30
This is wrong because it is a trunk-related command, not the normal access-port VLAN assignment.
C
Distractor review
encapsulation dot1Q 30
This is wrong because 802.1Q encapsulation is not configured this way on a standard access switchport.
D
Distractor review
ip helper-address 30
This is wrong because DHCP relay is unrelated to assigning an access VLAN.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A frequent exam trap is selecting a trunk-related command such as `switchport trunk allowed vlan 30` when the question specifies an access port. This mistake occurs because candidates confuse trunk port configurations, which carry multiple VLANs, with access ports that carry only one VLAN. Another common error is choosing `encapsulation dot1Q 30`, which is used on router subinterfaces or trunk ports for VLAN tagging, not on switch access ports. These traps lead to incorrect VLAN assignments and connectivity failures, so it is crucial to recognize that access ports require the `switchport access vlan` command to assign VLAN membership.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks) segment a physical switch into multiple logical networks, isolating traffic for security and performance. An access port on a switch connects end devices like PCs and assigns them to a single VLAN, ensuring their traffic is tagged internally with that VLAN ID. The command `switchport mode access` configures the interface as an access port, which means it carries traffic for only one VLAN without tagging frames externally. To assign a specific VLAN to an access port, the command `switchport access vlan <vlan-id>` is used. This command explicitly sets the VLAN membership for the port after it is in access mode. For example, `switchport access vlan 30` binds the port to VLAN 30, so all traffic from the connected device is associated with VLAN 30. This is essential for proper VLAN segmentation and traffic forwarding within the switch. A common exam trap is confusing access port VLAN assignment with trunk port commands or unrelated features. Commands like `switchport trunk allowed vlan` apply only to trunk ports that carry multiple VLANs, not access ports. Similarly, `encapsulation dot1Q` is used on router subinterfaces or trunk ports, not on access ports. Understanding the difference between access and trunk modes and their respective commands is critical to avoid mistakes and correctly configure VLAN membership on Cisco switches.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- An access port on a Cisco switch carries traffic for only one VLAN and does not tag frames externally.
- The command `switchport mode access` configures an interface to operate as an access port.
- The command `switchport access vlan <vlan-id>` assigns a specific VLAN to an access port after it is in access mode.
- Trunk ports carry multiple VLANs and use commands like `switchport trunk allowed vlan` to control VLAN membership.
- The `encapsulation dot1Q` command configures 802.1Q tagging on router subinterfaces or trunk ports, not on access ports.
- Assigning the correct VLAN to an access port ensures proper traffic segmentation and forwarding within the switch.
- Misapplying trunk or encapsulation commands on access ports leads to configuration errors and connectivity issues.
- Understanding the difference between access and trunk port configurations is essential for VLAN management in Cisco networks.
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 access port on a Cisco switch carries traffic for only one VLAN and does not tag frames externally.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: switchport access vlan 30 — After an interface is placed into access mode, the command used to assign its VLAN is `switchport access vlan 30`. In plain language, this tells the switch which VLAN the endpoint traffic on that access port belongs to. Access mode defines the role of the interface, and the access VLAN command defines the specific VLAN membership for that role. This distinction matters because some commands change the port’s behavior while others set the VLAN it uses. The correct answer is the one that directly assigns VLAN 30 to the access port rather than modifying a trunk or a native VLAN setting.
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.
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