Question 854 of 1,819

Switching and Network Access →mediumDrag & DropObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The correct order begins with entering interface configuration mode, because every port-specific command must be applied at the interface level. This sequence is essential because a voice VLAN can only be assigned on an access port, so you must first set the port as an access port with switchport mode access, then assign the data VLAN with switchport access vlan to handle Layer 2 forwarding for data traffic, followed by switchport voice vlan to tag the IP phone’s voice frames with the correct VLAN, and finally enable spanning-tree portfast to immediately transition the port to forwarding and prevent DHCP timeouts for both the phone and the host. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this drag-and-drop task tests your understanding of the strict dependency that voice VLAN configuration requires an access port, and a common trap is placing PortFast before VLAN assignments or forgetting that switchport mode access must precede the voice VLAN command. A reliable memory tip is “Mode, Data, Voice, Fast”—remember that you set the mode first, then data, then voice, and finally fast convergence.

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. 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.

Drag and drop the following steps into the correct order to configure a switch port for data and voice traffic.

Question 1mediumdrag order

Full question →

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

✓

Enter interface configuration mode for the desired switch port.

The correct order is: 1) Enter interface configuration mode, because all port-specific commands must be applied under the interface. 2) Set the port as an access port with 'switchport mode access'—a voice VLAN can only be assigned on an access port. 3) Assign the data VLAN with 'switchport access vlan' to ensure proper Layer 2 forwarding for data traffic. 4) Assign the voice VLAN with 'switchport voice vlan' so the IP phone's voice frames are tagged with the voice VLAN. 5) Enable PortFast with 'spanning-tree portfast' to immediately transition the port to forwarding, preventing DHCP timeouts for the phone and host.

Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization

Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.

KKey Concepts to Remember

Authentication checks who the user is.
Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.

TExam Day Tips

Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.

Key takeaway

Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.

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.

What to study next

Got this wrong? Here's your next step.

Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related 200-301 questions on access control and AAA configuration.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this 200-301 question test?

Switching and Network Access — This question tests Switching and Network Access — Authentication checks who the user is..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: Enter interface configuration mode for the desired switch port. — The correct order is: 1) Enter interface configuration mode, because all port-specific commands must be applied under the interface. 2) Set the port as an access port with 'switchport mode access'—a voice VLAN can only be assigned on an access port. 3) Assign the data VLAN with 'switchport access vlan' to ensure proper Layer 2 forwarding for data traffic. 4) Assign the voice VLAN with 'switchport voice vlan' so the IP phone's voice frames are tagged with the voice VLAN. 5) Enable PortFast with 'spanning-tree portfast' to immediately transition the port to forwarding, preventing DHCP timeouts for the phone and host.

What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?

What is the key concept behind this question?

Authentication checks who the user is.

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Same concept, more angles

1 more ways this is tested on 200-301

These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.

Variation 1. Drag and drop the following steps into the correct order to configure a Cisco switch access port with a data VLAN and a voice VLAN.

medium

✓ A.Enter global configuration mode (configure terminal)
✓ B.Enter interface configuration mode for GigabitEthernet0/1 (interface GigabitEthernet0/1)
✓ C.Configure the port for access mode (switchport mode access)
✓ D.Assign VLAN 10 for data traffic (switchport access vlan 10)
✓ E.Assign VLAN 20 for voice traffic (switchport voice vlan 20)

Why A: First, enter global configuration mode with 'configure terminal'. Next, select the interface using 'interface GigabitEthernet0/1'. Then, set the port to access mode with 'switchport mode access' to prevent trunk negotiation. After that, assign the data VLAN with 'switchport access vlan 10'. Finally, assign the voice VLAN with 'switchport voice vlan 20'. This order ensures the interface is properly configured before VLAN assignment and prevents DTP from creating a trunk.

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