Question 1hardmultiple choice
Full question →hardmultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A switchport is configured with sticky MAC learning and a maximum secure MAC value of 2. What is the main benefit of sticky learning in this situation?
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
It allows secure MAC addresses to be learned dynamically and used by port security.
This is correct because sticky learning records observed MACs as secure addresses.
B
Distractor review
It removes the maximum secure MAC limit automatically.
This is wrong because sticky learning does not eliminate the configured maximum.
C
Distractor review
It converts the port into a trunk after two MAC addresses are learned.
This is wrong because sticky learning does not change the port into a trunk.
D
Distractor review
It disables port security after the first reboot.
This is wrong because sticky entries can persist if the configuration is saved.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A frequent exam trap is to assume that sticky MAC learning disables the maximum secure MAC address limit or automatically converts the port into a trunk. Some candidates mistakenly believe sticky learning removes the configured maximum or disables port security after reboot. However, sticky learning only dynamically learns and locks MAC addresses up to the configured maximum and requires saving the configuration to persist. Misunderstanding this can lead to selecting incorrect answers that imply sticky learning changes port behavior beyond dynamic secure MAC address learning.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
Sticky MAC learning is a feature of Cisco port security that allows a switchport to dynamically learn MAC addresses and then convert those learned addresses into secure MAC addresses automatically. This means the switch records the MAC addresses it sees on the port and treats them as if they were manually configured secure addresses. This approach combines the flexibility of dynamic learning with the security benefits of port security by limiting which devices can send traffic through the port. When sticky learning is enabled with a maximum secure MAC address limit, such as 2 in this case, the switchport will learn up to that number of MAC addresses dynamically and then enforce port security by only allowing those learned addresses. If additional MAC addresses appear beyond the limit, the port can take security actions like shutting down or restricting traffic. The administrator can save the running configuration to make these sticky addresses persistent across reboots. A common exam trap is to confuse sticky learning with disabling port security limits or changing port modes. Sticky learning does not remove the maximum secure MAC address limit nor convert the port into a trunk. Instead, it simply automates the process of learning and locking down MAC addresses, providing a balance between security and administrative ease. Understanding this distinction is crucial for correctly answering CCNA questions on port security.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Sticky MAC learning allows a switchport to dynamically learn MAC addresses and convert them into secure addresses for port security enforcement.
- The maximum secure MAC address value limits how many MAC addresses can be learned and secured on a port, even when sticky learning is enabled.
- Port security with sticky learning requires saving the configuration to make dynamically learned secure MAC addresses persistent across device reloads.
- Sticky learning does not disable port security limits or convert the port into a trunk; it only automates secure MAC address learning.
- If the number of learned MAC addresses exceeds the maximum secure MAC limit, port security actions such as shutdown or restrict are triggered.
- Sticky MAC addresses behave like manually configured secure addresses once learned, providing both security and administrative convenience.
- Port security with sticky learning helps prevent unauthorized devices from accessing the network by limiting allowed MAC addresses dynamically.
- Understanding sticky learning’s role in port security helps avoid common exam traps related to port mode changes or limit removal.
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?
Sticky MAC learning allows a switchport to dynamically learn MAC addresses and convert them into secure addresses for port security enforcement.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: It allows secure MAC addresses to be learned dynamically and used by port security. — Sticky MAC learning allows the switch to learn secure MAC addresses dynamically and treat them as port-security entries without the administrator typing them manually. In plain language, it combines some of the convenience of automatic learning with the control of port security. If the configuration is later saved, those learned entries can become persistent. This is a common CCNA port-security concept because it shows how sticky learning works with, not instead of, port security. The correct answer is the one focused on dynamic secure learning and convenience, not on disabling the maximum limit or turning the port into a trunk.
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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