- A
The ip routing global configuration command is missing.
The missing 'ip routing' command prevents the Layer 3 switch from performing routing between VLANs, even though the SVIs are up and hosts can reach their own gateways.
- B
The VLAN 20 SVI is administratively shut down.
Why wrong: The stem states that both SVIs are in an up/up state, which means they are not shut down and are operational.
- C
The trunk between the access switch and the Layer 3 switch is misconfigured as an access port.
Why wrong: The stem states the trunk ports are correctly allowing both VLANs, so there is no trunk misconfiguration blocking the traffic.
- D
The default gateway on Host A is configured incorrectly.
Why wrong: Host A can successfully ping 10.10.10.1, its default gateway. If the gateway were incorrect, the ping to the SVI would fail even within the same VLAN.
CCNA Switching and Network Access Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of switching and network access. 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 Host A in VLAN 10 (10.10.10.50/24) can successfully ping its default gateway 10.10.10.1, but cannot ping the VLAN 20 SVI (10.20.20.1) or any hosts in VLAN 20. The SVIs for both VLAN 10 and VLAN 20 are in an up/up state, and the switch's trunk ports are correctly allowing both VLANs. 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 ip routing global configuration command is missing.
Host A can reach its default gateway (10.10.10.1), which is the VLAN 10 SVI, but cannot reach the VLAN 20 SVI (10.20.20.1) or any hosts in VLAN 20. This indicates that Layer 2 connectivity is working (trunk allows both VLANs, SVIs are up/up), but inter-VLAN routing is failing. On a multilayer switch, inter-VLAN routing requires the global command 'ip routing' to enable the switch's IP routing engine; without it, the switch acts as a Layer 2 device only and cannot forward packets between different VLANs.
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 ip routing global configuration command is missing.
Why this is correct
The missing 'ip routing' command prevents the Layer 3 switch from performing routing between VLANs, even though the SVIs are up and hosts can reach their own gateways.
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 VLAN 20 SVI is administratively shut down.
Why it's wrong here
The stem states that both SVIs are in an up/up state, which means they are not shut down and are operational.
- ✗
The trunk between the access switch and the Layer 3 switch is misconfigured as an access port.
Why it's wrong here
The stem states the trunk ports are correctly allowing both VLANs, so there is no trunk misconfiguration blocking the traffic.
- ✗
The default gateway on Host A is configured incorrectly.
Why it's wrong here
Host A can successfully ping 10.10.10.1, its default gateway. If the gateway were incorrect, the ping to the SVI would fail even within the same VLAN.
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 ip routing global configuration command is missing.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
The missing 'ip routing' command prevents the Layer 3 switch from performing routing between VLANs, even though the SVIs are up and hosts can reach their own gateways.
✗The VLAN 20 SVI is administratively shut down.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Candidates may overlook the explicit mention that the SVIs are up/up, mistakenly thinking a shut SVI could be the problem.
✗The trunk between the access switch and the Layer 3 switch is misconfigured as an access port.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Trunk misconfiguration is a common inter-VLAN issue, but the scenario explicitly says the trunks are working properly, making this answer invalid.
✗The default gateway on Host A is configured incorrectly.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The successful ping to the default gateway proves the gateway is correct. Without 'ip routing', the switch can't forward packets from VLAN 10 to VLAN 20, but it can respond to local VLAN requests.
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 a switch operating as a Layer 2 device versus a Layer 3 device, and the trap here is that candidates assume SVIs in an up/up state automatically provide inter-VLAN routing, forgetting the mandatory 'ip routing' command.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
On a Cisco multilayer switch, SVIs are virtual interfaces that require the switch to be in routing mode. The 'ip routing' command enables the CEF (Cisco Express Forwarding) process, allowing the switch to make IP forwarding decisions between VLANs. Without this command, the switch will only forward frames at Layer 2, even if SVIs are up; any packet destined for a different subnet is dropped because the switch lacks a routing table. In real-world scenarios, this is a common misconfiguration when deploying a Layer 3 switch for the first time, as the default IOS image may have 'ip routing' disabled.
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.
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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 — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The ip routing global configuration command is missing. — Host A can reach its default gateway (10.10.10.1), which is the VLAN 10 SVI, but cannot reach the VLAN 20 SVI (10.20.20.1) or any hosts in VLAN 20. This indicates that Layer 2 connectivity is working (trunk allows both VLANs, SVIs are up/up), but inter-VLAN routing is failing. On a multilayer switch, inter-VLAN routing requires the global command 'ip routing' to enable the switch's IP routing engine; without it, the switch acts as a Layer 2 device only and cannot forward packets between different VLANs.
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.
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 →
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
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