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 switch port configuration commands on the left to the correct descriptions on the right.
Drag a concept onto its matching description — or click a concept then click the description.
Concepts
Matches
Statically configures the port as an access port
Sets the data VLAN for an access port
Assigns the VLAN for IP phone voice traffic
Permanently sets the interface as a trunk port
Restricts which VLANs traverse the trunk
Correct answer & explanation
The command 'switchport mode access' statically sets the port as an access port. 'switchport access vlan 10' assigns VLAN 10 as the data VLAN for connected devices. 'switchport voice vlan 20' defines the VLAN used by a Cisco IP phone for voice traffic. 'switchport mode trunk' forces the port into permanent trunking mode. 'switchport trunk allowed vlan 100,200' restricts the trunk to carry only VLANs 100 and 200.
Key principle: A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: an active trunk can still block the VLAN you need
A trunk being up does not prove every VLAN is crossing it. Check allowed VLAN lists, native VLAN mismatch, VLAN existence and access-port assignment.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
VLAN questions usually combine access-port and trunking clues. The key is to identify whether the issue is local to one switchport, caused by the trunk, or caused by the VLAN not existing where it needs to exist.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
Trunk ports carry multiple VLANs between switches.
Allowed VLAN lists decide which VLANs can cross a trunk.
Native VLAN mismatch can create confusing symptoms.
TExam Day Tips
→Use show vlan brief to verify access VLANs.
→Use show interfaces trunk to verify trunk state and allowed VLANs.
→Do not treat every same-VLAN issue as a routing problem.
Key takeaway
A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.
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 VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related 200-301 questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
Switching and Network Access — This question tests Switching and Network Access — Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN..
What exam trap should I watch out for?
Common exam trap: an active trunk can still block the VLAN you need: A trunk being up does not prove every VLAN is crossing it. Check allowed VLAN lists, native VLAN mismatch, VLAN existence and access-port assignment.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related 200-301 questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
About these practice questions
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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 VLAN and trunking commands/concepts on the left to their correct descriptions on the right.
medium
✓ A.VLAN: A logical segmentation of a network into separate broadcast domains at Layer 2.
✓ B.Trunk: A link that carries traffic for multiple VLANs, typically using 802.1Q tagging.
✓ C.Access port: A switch port assigned to a single VLAN, carrying untagged traffic.
✓ D.802.1Q: The IEEE standard for VLAN tagging on Ethernet frames.
Why A: These are fundamental VLAN/trunking concepts: VLAN segments, trunk carries multiple VLANs, access port is single VLAN, 802.1Q is tagging standard, VLAN ID is the identifier.
Variation 2. Drag and drop the port configuration commands/technologies on the left to their corresponding descriptions on the right.
medium
✓ A.switchport mode access: Sets the interface as a nontrunking access port
✓ B.switchport trunk allowed vlan: Specifies which VLANs are allowed on a trunk link
✓ C.switchport port-security: Enables port security on an interface
✓ D.spanning-tree portfast: Enables PortFast on an access port to bypass listening/learning states
Why A: These are common Cisco IOS commands used for port configuration, each with a specific function.
Variation 3. Drag and drop the VLAN/trunking commands and terms on the left to their correct descriptions or functions on the right.
medium
✓ A.switchport mode trunk: Configures an interface to carry multiple VLANs.
✓ B.switchport access vlan 10: Assigns an interface to a specific VLAN.
✓ C.native VLAN: The VLAN that carries untagged traffic on a trunk link.
✓ D.VLAN 1: Default VLAN on Cisco switches; often recommended to change.
Why A: These pairings match common VLAN/trunking commands and terms to their correct descriptions.
Variation 4. Drag and drop the steps into the recommended configuration order for setting up VLANs, assigning access ports, configuring 802.1Q trunking with a non-default native VLAN, and verifying the setup on a Cisco IOS-XE switch.
medium
A.1. Create VLANs, 2. Assign access ports to VLANs, 3. Configure trunking with non-default native VLAN, 4. Verify configuration
B.1. Assign access ports to VLANs, 2. Create VLANs, 3. Configure trunking with non-default native VLAN, 4. Verify configuration
✓ C.1. Create VLANs, 2. Configure trunking with non-default native VLAN, 3. Assign access ports to VLANs, 4. Verify configuration
D.1. Configure trunking with non-default native VLAN, 2. Create VLANs, 3. Assign access ports to VLANs, 4. Verify configuration
Why C: After creating VLANs, the recommended order is to configure trunking with a non-default native VLAN before assigning access ports. This ensures the trunk is ready with the correct native VLAN, preventing mismatches and allowing the switch to carry traffic for the new VLANs. Options B and D fail because VLANs must exist first. Option A places trunking last, which is not the best practice.
Last reviewed: Jun 14, 2026
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