- A
Check the DHCP server to ensure it has available leases.
Why wrong: Checking the DHCP server is premature. If the client’s traffic is not reaching the server due to a VLAN mapping issue, the DHCP server itself will appear healthy. This step skips the local network configuration.
- B
Verify the AP’s operating channel for interference.
Why wrong: Channel issues affect RF connectivity and association quality, not IP address assignment after successful association and authentication.
- C
Verify the VLAN mapping on the WLC for the client’s WLAN.
In local mode, the WLC bridges client traffic to a specified VLAN. An incorrect or missing VLAN ID prevents the DHCP discovery from reaching the DHCP server. This step directly confirms whether the client’s traffic is placed on the correct subnet.
- D
Verify the WPA3 PSK on the client.
Why wrong: Authentication was already successful, so the PSK is correct. Re-checking it wastes time and ignores the actual symptom.
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 wireless client associates to an AP and successfully authenticates to the correct SSID, but it does not obtain an IP address. The WLC is running in local mode. What should the technician do next?
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
Verify the VLAN mapping on the WLC for the client’s WLAN.
Option C is correct because when a wireless client authenticates to the SSID but fails to obtain an IP address, the most likely cause is a VLAN mapping mismatch on the WLC. In local mode, the WLC maps the WLAN to a specific VLAN (via the interface or VLAN tag), and if that VLAN does not have a DHCP relay or is not trunked to the correct switch, the client's DHCP requests will never reach the DHCP server. This is a common Layer 2 connectivity issue that prevents IP address assignment even though authentication succeeds.
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.
- ✗
Check the DHCP server to ensure it has available leases.
- ✗
Verify the AP’s operating channel for interference.
Why it's wrong here
Channel issues affect RF connectivity and association quality, not IP address assignment after successful association and authentication.
- ✓
Verify the VLAN mapping on the WLC for the client’s WLAN.
Why this is correct
In local mode, the WLC bridges client traffic to a specified VLAN. An incorrect or missing VLAN ID prevents the DHCP discovery from reaching the DHCP server. This step directly confirms whether the client’s traffic is placed on the correct subnet.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Verify the WPA3 PSK on the client.
Why it's wrong here
Authentication was already successful, so the PSK is correct. Re-checking it wastes time and ignores the actual symptom.
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.
✓Verify the VLAN mapping on the WLC for the client’s WLAN.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
In local mode, the WLC bridges client traffic to a specified VLAN. An incorrect or missing VLAN ID prevents the DHCP discovery from reaching the DHCP server. This step directly confirms whether the client’s traffic is placed on the correct subnet.
✗Check the DHCP server to ensure it has available leases.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Troubleshooting at Layer 3 (IP) before verifying Layer 2 (VLAN) connectivity skips a fundamental step in the OSI model.
✗Verify the AP’s operating channel for interference.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Confuses a Layer 1 problem with a Layer 2/3 problem. The client’s association proves the RF link is functional.
✗Verify the WPA3 PSK on the client.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This investigates a condition that has already been ruled out (authentication succeeded) and does not address the IP assignment failure.
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 misconception that DHCP issues are always server-side (Option A), when in reality the WLC's VLAN-to-interface mapping is a critical Layer 2 configuration that must be verified first in a wireless context.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In Cisco WLC local mode, each WLAN is bound to an interface (e.g., management, dynamic, or VLAN interface) that defines the VLAN ID for client traffic. The WLC uses 802.1Q trunking to the upstream switch, and if the VLAN is not allowed on the trunk or the switchport is not configured as a trunk, the client's DHCP broadcast will never be forwarded. Additionally, the WLC can act as a DHCP proxy, but only if the VLAN interface is correctly configured with a DHCP server IP; otherwise, the client remains in a 'waiting for IP' state indefinitely.
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 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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Network Infrastructure and Connectivity — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Network Infrastructure and Connectivity practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All 200-301 questions
1,819 questions across all exam domains
- →
CCNA 200-301 v2 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
200-301 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related 200-301 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Network Infrastructure and Connectivity practice questions
Practise 200-301 questions linked to Network Infrastructure and Connectivity.
Switching and Network Access practice questions
Practise 200-301 questions linked to Switching and Network Access.
IP Routing practice questions
Practise 200-301 questions linked to IP Routing.
Network Services and Security practice questions
Practise 200-301 questions linked to Network Services and Security.
AI and Network Operations practice questions
Practise 200-301 questions linked to AI and Network Operations.
CCNA subnetting practice questions
Practise IPv4 subnetting, CIDR, masks, host ranges and subnet selection.
CCNA OSPF practice questions
Practise OSPF neighbours, router IDs, metrics, areas and routing-table interpretation.
CCNA VLAN practice questions
Practise VLANs, access ports, trunks, allowed VLANs and switching scenarios.
CCNA STP practice questions
Practise spanning tree, root bridge election, port roles and STP troubleshooting.
CCNA EtherChannel practice questions
Practise LACP, PAgP, port-channel behaviour and bundle requirements.
CCNA ACL practice questions
Practise standard and extended ACLs, permit/deny logic and traffic filtering.
CCNA NAT practice questions
Practise static NAT, dynamic NAT, PAT and inside/outside address translation.
Practice this exam
Start a free 200-301 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
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: Verify the VLAN mapping on the WLC for the client’s WLAN. — Option C is correct because when a wireless client authenticates to the SSID but fails to obtain an IP address, the most likely cause is a VLAN mapping mismatch on the WLC. In local mode, the WLC maps the WLAN to a specific VLAN (via the interface or VLAN tag), and if that VLAN does not have a DHCP relay or is not trunked to the correct switch, the client's DHCP requests will never reach the DHCP server. This is a common Layer 2 connectivity issue that prevents IP address assignment even though authentication succeeds.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Keep practising
More 200-301 practice questions
- A switchport connected to another switch should carry multiple VLANs, but it was manually configured as an access port.…
- What problem is HSRP designed to solve?
- Which TWO statements correctly describe the causes or implications of CRC errors, runts, giants, or output errors as see…
- You are connected to R1. Configure IPv4 and IPv6 addressing on R1's interfaces and verify reachability to R2. The curren…
- Which TWO statements accurately describe how AI/ML concepts are applied to network operations in modern enterprise netwo…
- Which TWO switch port configurations are required when connecting a Cisco IP phone and a desktop PC to a single access p…
Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.