CCNA Network Infrastructure and Connectivity Practice Question
A technician is connecting a new Cisco switch to an existing switch using a copper cable. The link between the two switches must carry traffic for multiple VLANs. Which command must be configured on the interface connecting to the other switch to allow multiple VLANs to traverse the link?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse commands that modify trunk behavior, such as nonegotiate or allowed vlan, with the command that actually enables trunking, which is switchport mode trunk.
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
✓
switchport mode trunk
To carry traffic for multiple VLANs over a single inter-switch link, the interface must be configured as a trunk. The command switchport mode trunk sets the interface to permanent trunking mode, allowing 802.1Q-tagged frames for multiple VLANs to traverse the link. Other commands like nonegotiate or allowed vlan list are supplementary and only apply after trunk mode is enabled.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
switchport mode access
Why it's wrong here
Access mode assigns the interface to a single VLAN and is used for end-device ports, not inter-switch links. Configuring access mode would restrict the link to one VLAN, preventing multiple VLANs from traversing it. This command is appropriate for connecting a PC or printer, but it fails to meet the requirement of carrying traffic for multiple VLANs between switches.
- ✓
switchport mode trunk
Why this is correct
Trunk mode allows an interface to carry traffic for multiple VLANs by tagging frames with 802.1Q. This is the standard configuration for inter-switch links that must transport multiple VLANs. The command switchport mode trunk places the interface in permanent trunking mode, enabling the link to carry VLAN 10, VLAN 20, and others as required by the design.
- ✗
switchport nonegotiate
Why it's wrong here
The switchport nonegotiate command disables Dynamic Trunking Protocol (DTP) negotiation on an interface, but it does not itself make the port a trunk. It is typically used in conjunction with trunk mode to prevent DTP frames. Without first setting the port to trunk mode, this command alone will not allow multiple VLANs to traverse the link, so it does not satisfy the requirement.
- ✗
switchport trunk allowed vlan all
Why it's wrong here
This command specifies which VLANs are allowed on a trunk, but it is only valid when the interface is already in trunk mode. It does not change the operational mode from access to trunk. If the port remains in access mode, allowing all VLANs has no effect because access ports carry only one VLAN. Thus, this command alone does not enable multiple VLANs on the link.
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Cisco IOS Licensing Overview
Key term
Switchport
A switchport is a physical or virtual interface on a network switch that connects devices like computers, printers, or other switches to a local area network.
Key term
VLAN
A VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) is a logical grouping of network devices that behave as if they are on the same physical network segment, regardless of their actual physical location.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
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.