- A
The interface does not have an IP address assigned.
Why wrong: A missing IP address does not affect the administrative state; the interface would typically show 'up/up' or 'up/down' depending on Layer 1/2, but never 'administratively down'.
- B
The shutdown command is configured on the interface.
The 'administratively down' status is only displayed when the interface has been explicitly disabled using the shutdown command in configuration mode.
- C
The interface is configured with an incorrect subnet mask.
Why wrong: An incorrect subnet mask might cause IP communication failures but would not prevent the interface from being administratively up; the status would remain 'up/up'.
- D
An access list is blocking traffic on the interface.
Why wrong: Access lists filter packets but do not alter interface administrative or operational state; the interface would still appear 'up/up' in the output.
Quick Answer
The answer is that the shutdown command is configured on the interface. When a router interface shows as administratively down in the output of show ip interface brief, it means the interface has been manually disabled at the software level, typically by an administrator issuing the shutdown command in interface configuration mode. This administrative state overrides any physical or protocol conditions, so even if the cable is connected and the line protocol is functional, the interface will remain down until the no shutdown command is applied. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this concept tests your understanding of Layer 1 and Layer 2 administrative states versus operational issues like a bad cable or mismatched encapsulation. A common trap is confusing administratively down with a physical layer problem, but remember that the keyword “administratively” always points to a manual shutdown. A helpful memory tip is: “If it’s administratively down, someone told it to frown—just say no shutdown to turn it around.”
CCNA Network Infrastructure and Connectivity Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of network infrastructure and connectivity. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. 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 network engineer notices that the router interface GigabitEthernet0/1 is in an 'administratively down' state in the output of the show ip interface brief command, preventing connectivity to the subnet connected to that interface. What is the most likely cause?
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 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
The shutdown command is configured on the interface.
The 'administratively down' state in the output of 'show ip interface brief' indicates that the interface has been manually disabled using the 'shutdown' command. This is a Layer 1/2 administrative state, not a protocol or connectivity issue. To bring the interface up, the 'no shutdown' command must be applied in interface configuration mode.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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 interface does not have an IP address assigned.
Why it's wrong here
A missing IP address does not affect the administrative state; the interface would typically show 'up/up' or 'up/down' depending on Layer 1/2, but never 'administratively down'.
- ✓
The shutdown command is configured on the interface.
Why this is correct
The 'administratively down' status is only displayed when the interface has been explicitly disabled using the shutdown command in configuration mode.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The interface is configured with an incorrect subnet mask.
Why it's wrong here
An incorrect subnet mask might cause IP communication failures but would not prevent the interface from being administratively up; the status would remain 'up/up'.
- ✗
An access list is blocking traffic on the interface.
Why it's wrong here
Access lists filter packets but do not alter interface administrative or operational state; the interface would still appear 'up/up' in the output.
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 shutdown command is configured on the interface.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
The 'administratively down' status is only displayed when the interface has been explicitly disabled using the shutdown command in configuration mode.
✗The interface does not have an IP address assigned.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Candidates often confuse the lack of an IP address with a non-functional interface, believing it will be shown as down.
✗The interface is configured with an incorrect subnet mask.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Students may think any IP misconfiguration could bring the interface down, but only the shutdown command causes 'administratively down'.
✗An access list is blocking traffic on the interface.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Because an ACL can stop traffic, candidates sometimes assume it would be reflected as a down state, but interface status is independent of ACLs.
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
Cisco often tests the distinction between 'administratively down' (caused by the 'shutdown' command) and 'down/down' (caused by a physical layer issue like a disconnected cable), leading candidates to confuse the two states.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
A missing IP address does not affect the administrative state; the interface would typically show 'up/up' or 'up/down' depending on Layer 1/2, but never 'administratively down'.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The 'administratively down' state is a Cisco-specific behavior where the interface is placed in a disabled state at the driver level, preventing any frames from being sent or received. This is often used during maintenance or security lockdowns. The 'shutdown' command sets the interface's administrative status to 'down', and this state persists across router reboots unless explicitly changed with 'no shutdown'.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
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
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A network engineer segments a warehouse floor into three subnets: 20 scanners, 5 printers, and 2 management hosts. Picking the wrong mask wastes addresses or leaves too few usable hosts. Exam questions test whether you can apply CIDR notation, calculate block size, and identify the correct usable-host range for a given prefix.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
Network Infrastructure and Connectivity — This question tests Network Infrastructure and Connectivity — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The shutdown command is configured on the interface. — The 'administratively down' state in the output of 'show ip interface brief' indicates that the interface has been manually disabled using the 'shutdown' command. This is a Layer 1/2 administrative state, not a protocol or connectivity issue. To bring the interface up, the 'no shutdown' command must be applied in interface configuration mode.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
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