The answer is that the link will likely become a trunk. This result occurs because the Dynamic Desirable mode actively sends DTP frames to initiate trunk negotiation, while Dynamic Auto passively waits to receive them. Since one side is actively proposing a trunk and the other is willing to accept, the negotiation succeeds, forming a trunk link. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this pairing tests your understanding of active versus passive DTP behavior, with the classic trap being the Dynamic Auto/Auto combination, which fails to form a trunk because neither side initiates. A reliable memory tip is to think of Desirable as the “driver” that pushes for trunking, while Auto is the “passenger” that only responds when spoken to.
CCNA Switching and Network Access Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of switching and network access. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. A key principle to apply: dynamic Trunking Protocol (DTP) automates trunk negotiation between Cisco switch ports to simplify VLAN traffic management.. 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 switch interface is configured as `dynamic desirable`, and the peer interface is configured as `dynamic auto`. What is the most likely result?
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
✓
The link is likely to become a trunk.
The most likely result is that the link becomes a trunk. In simple terms, `dynamic desirable` actively tries to negotiate a trunk, while `dynamic auto` listens and responds. Because one side is willing to initiate the process, trunking can be established if the rest of the configuration is compatible.
This question tests whether you know the difference between passive and active DTP behavior. The classic failure pairing is auto/auto. Desirable/auto, by contrast, is a normal path to trunk formation.
Key principle: Dynamic Trunking Protocol (DTP) automates trunk negotiation between Cisco switch ports to simplify VLAN traffic management.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
The link is likely to become a trunk.
Why this is correct
This is correct because dynamic desirable can initiate trunk negotiation with a dynamic auto peer.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Dynamic Trunking Protocol (DTP) automates trunk negotiation between Cisco switch ports to simplify VLAN traffic management.
✗
The link becomes a routed port.
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because DTP negotiation does not convert a port into a Layer 3 routed interface.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario where a switch interface is configured as a routed port and the peer interface is also set to routed, the link would indeed become a routed port. The question would need to specify that both interfaces are configured for routing rather than dynamic negotiation.
In a different scenario, if the question specified that both switches were configured to use `vlan access` mode and that a VLAN pruning command was executed, it could lead to the deletion of VLANs from the trunk, making this option correct.
✗
The port is immediately error-disabled.
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because this DTP pairing does not normally cause err-disable behavior.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario, if the question specified that both interfaces were configured for Layer 3 routing and that the switch was set to operate in a routed mode, then the link could be described as a routed port. This would involve a configuration where Layer 2 switching is not intended.
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.
✓The link is likely to become a trunk.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
This is correct because dynamic desirable can initiate trunk negotiation with a dynamic auto peer.
✗The link becomes a routed port.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This option is wrong because a switch interface configured as `dynamic desirable` and its peer as `dynamic auto` will negotiate a trunk link, not a routed port. Routed ports are typically configured explicitly and not through dynamic negotiation.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario where a switch interface is configured as a routed port and the peer interface is also set to routed, the link would indeed become a routed port. The question would need to specify that both interfaces are configured for routing rather than dynamic negotiation.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may choose this option due to a misunderstanding of how dynamic negotiation works, conflating it with routed port configurations, which can lead to confusion about the roles of switch interfaces.
✗All VLANs are deleted from both switches.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This option is wrong because configuring a switch interface as `dynamic desirable` and `dynamic auto` does not lead to the deletion of VLANs; it instead allows for trunk negotiation between the switches.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario, if the question specified that both switches were configured to use `vlan access` mode and that a VLAN pruning command was executed, it could lead to the deletion of VLANs from the trunk, making this option correct.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might choose this option due to a misunderstanding of VLAN management and trunking, confusing the negotiation process with VLAN deletion when misconfigurations occur.
✗The port is immediately error-disabled.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This option is wrong because a switch interface configured as `dynamic desirable` and its peer as `dynamic auto` will negotiate a trunk link, not a routed port. Routed ports are typically configured explicitly and do not involve dynamic negotiation.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario, if the question specified that both interfaces were configured for Layer 3 routing and that the switch was set to operate in a routed mode, then the link could be described as a routed port. This would involve a configuration where Layer 2 switching is not intended.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may choose this option due to a misunderstanding of port roles and the assumption that dynamic configurations could lead to a routed state, especially if they confuse Layer 2 and Layer 3 concepts.
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
Be careful not to confuse DTP modes with Spanning Tree Protocol states or assume passive modes prevent trunking.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Dynamic Trunking Protocol (DTP) is a Cisco proprietary protocol used to automate the negotiation of trunk links between switches. It simplifies VLAN traffic management by dynamically establishing trunk links without manual configuration. DTP operates with different modes: dynamic desirable actively attempts to convert the link into a trunk, dynamic auto passively waits for the other side to initiate trunking, trunk mode forces trunking, and access mode disables trunking. Understanding these modes is crucial for configuring VLAN trunks correctly in Cisco networks.
When one switch port is set to dynamic desirable and the other to dynamic auto, the dynamic desirable port initiates the trunk negotiation, and the dynamic auto port responds, resulting in a successful trunk link. This behavior contrasts with the auto/auto combination, where neither side initiates trunking, causing the link to remain an access port. The dynamic desirable mode actively sends DTP frames to negotiate trunking, while dynamic auto listens and replies, enabling trunk formation when paired correctly.
A common exam trap is confusing the dynamic auto mode as actively negotiating trunking, leading to the mistaken belief that auto/auto will form a trunk. In reality, both sides must not be passive for trunking to form automatically. Practically, this means network engineers must configure at least one side as dynamic desirable or trunk to ensure trunk establishment. This knowledge helps avoid misconfigurations that can cause VLAN traffic segmentation issues and connectivity problems in Cisco switched networks.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Dynamic Trunking Protocol (DTP) automates trunk negotiation between Cisco switch ports to simplify VLAN traffic management.
A switch port configured as dynamic desirable actively initiates trunk negotiation by sending DTP frames to the peer.
A switch port configured as dynamic auto passively waits and responds to DTP negotiation requests but does not initiate them.
When one port is dynamic desirable and the other is dynamic auto, the link successfully negotiates and becomes a trunk.
If both ports are set to dynamic auto, neither initiates trunk negotiation, so the link remains an access port.
DTP negotiation does not convert a switch port into a Layer 3 routed port; it only manages Layer 2 trunking.
Incorrect DTP mode pairings can cause VLAN traffic segmentation and connectivity issues in switched networks.
Understanding DTP modes prevents misconfiguration and ensures proper VLAN trunk formation in Cisco environments.
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
Dynamic Trunking Protocol (DTP) automates trunk negotiation between Cisco switch ports to simplify VLAN traffic management.
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 dynamic Trunking Protocol (DTP) automates trunk negotiation between Cisco switch ports to simplify VLAN traffic management., 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 — Dynamic Trunking Protocol (DTP) automates trunk negotiation between Cisco switch ports to simplify VLAN traffic management..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The link is likely to become a trunk. — The most likely result is that the link becomes a trunk. In simple terms, `dynamic desirable` actively tries to negotiate a trunk, while `dynamic auto` listens and responds. Because one side is willing to initiate the process, trunking can be established if the rest of the configuration is compatible.
This question tests whether you know the difference between passive and active DTP behavior. The classic failure pairing is auto/auto. Desirable/auto, by contrast, is a normal path to trunk formation.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review dynamic Trunking Protocol (DTP) automates trunk negotiation between Cisco switch ports to simplify VLAN traffic management., 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?
Dynamic Trunking Protocol (DTP) automates trunk negotiation between Cisco switch ports to simplify VLAN traffic management.
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