- A
The switch port is not configured with the switchport access vlan 10 command.
When an access port's VLAN is not explicitly set, the port defaults to VLAN 1. The workstation's MAC is learned on VLAN 1, causing connectivity failure with VLAN 10 hosts. Adding the switchport access vlan 10 command resolves the issue.
- B
The switch port is configured as a trunk with native VLAN 1.
Why wrong: While a trunk with native VLAN 1 would place untagged frames into VLAN 1, there is no evidence that the port is a trunk. The typical oversight for a host port is forgetting to set the access VLAN, not configuring a trunk. The problem explicitly notes that the access VLAN is not configured.
- C
The MAC address table contains a stale entry that must be cleared.
Why wrong: Clearing the MAC address table would not change the VLAN assignment. A new entry would still be learned on VLAN 1 because the port's operational VLAN is 1. The stale entry is a symptom, not the root cause of the VLAN mismatch.
- D
Spanning Tree Protocol has placed the port in a blocking state.
Why wrong: STP blocking prevents frame forwarding but does not stop MAC address learning. The switch would still learn the workstation's MAC on whatever VLAN the port is in. The MAC showing on VLAN 1 indicates a VLAN configuration issue, not an STP state.
Quick Answer
The answer is that the switch port has not been configured with the `switchport access vlan 10` command. This is correct because an access port defaults to VLAN 1 unless explicitly assigned to another VLAN; when the workstation sends frames, the switch associates the source MAC address with the port’s current VLAN, which in this case is VLAN 1, not VLAN 10. The `show mac address-table` output reveals the misconfiguration by showing the MAC learned on the wrong VLAN, directly indicating that the port is still operating in the default VLAN. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of VLAN assignment and the default behavior of access ports—a common trap is assuming a port automatically inherits the VLAN from the subnet or that simply placing the device in the correct IP subnet configures the VLAN. Remember the memory tip: “No access vlan command means the MAC stays in VLAN 1 land.”
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 technician is troubleshooting a connectivity issue where a workstation connected to a Cisco switch port cannot ping other hosts that are in the same VLAN 10 segment. The technician runs the show mac address-table command and notices that the workstation's MAC address is listed on VLAN 1, not VLAN 10. 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 switch port is not configured with the switchport access vlan 10 command.
The workstation's MAC address appears in VLAN 1 instead of VLAN 10 because the switch port is operating in the default VLAN (VLAN 1). The most likely cause is that the port has not been explicitly assigned to VLAN 10 using the `switchport access vlan 10` command. Without this command, the port remains in its default access VLAN (VLAN 1), so all frames from the workstation are associated with VLAN 1, preventing communication with hosts in VLAN 10.
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 switch port is not configured with the switchport access vlan 10 command.
Why this is correct
When an access port's VLAN is not explicitly set, the port defaults to VLAN 1. The workstation's MAC is learned on VLAN 1, causing connectivity failure with VLAN 10 hosts. Adding the switchport access vlan 10 command resolves the issue.
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 switch port is configured as a trunk with native VLAN 1.
Why it's wrong here
While a trunk with native VLAN 1 would place untagged frames into VLAN 1, there is no evidence that the port is a trunk. The typical oversight for a host port is forgetting to set the access VLAN, not configuring a trunk. The problem explicitly notes that the access VLAN is not configured.
- ✗
The MAC address table contains a stale entry that must be cleared.
Why it's wrong here
Clearing the MAC address table would not change the VLAN assignment. A new entry would still be learned on VLAN 1 because the port's operational VLAN is 1. The stale entry is a symptom, not the root cause of the VLAN mismatch.
- ✗
Spanning Tree Protocol has placed the port in a blocking state.
Why it's wrong here
STP blocking prevents frame forwarding but does not stop MAC address learning. The switch would still learn the workstation's MAC on whatever VLAN the port is in. The MAC showing on VLAN 1 indicates a VLAN configuration issue, not an STP state.
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 switch port is not configured with the switchport access vlan 10 command.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
When an access port's VLAN is not explicitly set, the port defaults to VLAN 1. The workstation's MAC is learned on VLAN 1, causing connectivity failure with VLAN 10 hosts. Adding the switchport access vlan 10 command resolves the issue.
✗The switch port is configured as a trunk with native VLAN 1.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Candidates often assume any VLAN mismatch with VLAN 1 indicates a trunk misconfiguration, but a missing access VLAN is the more common and direct cause.
✗The MAC address table contains a stale entry that must be cleared.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Candidates might think that an outdated MAC record is causing the VLAN display, but the dynamic learning process reflects the actual port VLAN.
✗Spanning Tree Protocol has placed the port in a blocking state.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Tempting because a blocked port can disrupt connectivity, but the MAC address table entry would still appear on the correct VLAN, not default to VLAN 1.
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 default VLAN behavior (VLAN 1) and the fact that an access port without an explicit VLAN assignment remains in VLAN 1, leading candidates to overlook the missing `switchport access vlan` command and instead blame trunking, STP, or MAC table aging.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
STP blocking prevents frame forwarding but does not stop MAC address learning. The switch would still learn the workstation's MAC on whatever VLAN the port is in. The MAC showing on VLAN 1 indicates a VLAN configuration issue, not an STP state.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
When a switch port is configured as an access port without an explicit `switchport access vlan` command, it defaults to VLAN 1. The switch learns MAC addresses by associating the source MAC of incoming frames with the VLAN ID of the port. If the port is in VLAN 1, the MAC is learned in VLAN 1, isolating the workstation from VLAN 10 hosts. In a real-world scenario, this often happens after a VLAN change is made on a different port or when a new switch is deployed without proper access VLAN configuration.
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.
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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 switch port is not configured with the switchport access vlan 10 command. — The workstation's MAC address appears in VLAN 1 instead of VLAN 10 because the switch port is operating in the default VLAN (VLAN 1). The most likely cause is that the port has not been explicitly assigned to VLAN 10 using the `switchport access vlan 10` command. Without this command, the port remains in its default access VLAN (VLAN 1), so all frames from the workstation are associated with VLAN 1, preventing communication with hosts in VLAN 10.
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
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.
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