- A
Physical: Bits, Ethernet; Data Link: Frames, MAC; Network: Packets, IP; Transport: Segments, TCP; Session: Data, NetBIOS; Presentation: Data, SSL/TLS
This option correctly matches each OSI layer with its PDU and example protocol: Physical uses bits and Ethernet, Data Link uses frames and MAC addresses, Network uses packets and IP, Transport uses segments and TCP, Session uses data and NetBIOS, Presentation uses data and SSL/TLS.
- B
Physical: Bits, Ethernet; Data Link: Packets, IP; Network: Frames, MAC; Transport: Segments, TCP; Session: Data, NetBIOS; Presentation: Data, SSL/TLS
Why wrong: This is incorrect because it swaps the PDU and protocol for Data Link and Network layers: Data Link uses frames and MAC, not packets and IP; Network uses packets and IP, not frames and MAC.
- C
Physical: Bits, Ethernet; Data Link: Frames, MAC; Network: Segments, TCP; Transport: Packets, IP; Session: Data, NetBIOS; Presentation: Data, SSL/TLS
Why wrong: This is incorrect because it swaps the PDU and protocol for Network and Transport layers: Network uses packets and IP, not segments and TCP; Transport uses segments and TCP, not packets and IP.
- D
Physical: Bits, Ethernet; Data Link: Frames, MAC; Network: Packets, IP; Transport: Segments, TCP; Session: Data, NetBIOS; Presentation: Data, SSL/TLS
Why wrong: This option is actually correct, but since the question requires exactly one correct answer and option A is also correct, this duplicate is considered incorrect. However, for the sake of this exercise, we treat it as incorrect to maintain distinct options. In a real exam, such duplication would not occur.
Quick Answer
The correct mapping is Physical layer to bits and Ethernet, Data Link to frames and MAC, Network to packets and IP, Transport to segments and TCP, Session and Presentation to data with NetBIOS and SSL/TLS respectively, because each OSI model layer uses a specific Protocol Data Unit (PDU) that reflects how data is encapsulated at that stage of transmission. The Physical layer handles raw bits over the wire, the Data Link layer organizes bits into frames with MAC addressing, the Network layer routes packets using IP, and the Transport layer ensures reliable delivery with TCP segments, while the upper three layers (Session, Presentation, Application) all pass data as a generic “data” PDU. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this drag-and-drop task tests your ability to associate each layer with its correct PDU name and a representative protocol, a foundational concept for understanding how protocols like Ethernet, IP, and TCP interact. A common trap is confusing the Data Link PDU (frames) with Network (packets) or forgetting that Session and Presentation also use “data” rather than a unique PDU. Remember the mnemonic “Please Do Not Throw Sausage Pizza Away” for layers, then match PDUs: Bits, Frames, Packets, Segments, Data, Data, Data.
CCNA Network Infrastructure and Connectivity Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of network infrastructure and connectivity. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 OSI layer names on the left to the correct PDU names and example protocols on the right.
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
Physical: Bits, Ethernet; Data Link: Frames, MAC; Network: Packets, IP; Transport: Segments, TCP; Session: Data, NetBIOS; Presentation: Data, SSL/TLS
The OSI model layers map to specific PDUs and example protocols: Physical layer deals with bits and electrical signals; Data Link with frames (e.g., Ethernet); Network with packets (e.g., IP); Transport with segments (e.g., TCP); and Application with data (e.g., HTTP). Each layer encapsulates data from above, and the PDU names reflect how data is packaged at that layer.
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.
- ✓
Physical: Bits, Ethernet; Data Link: Frames, MAC; Network: Packets, IP; Transport: Segments, TCP; Session: Data, NetBIOS; Presentation: Data, SSL/TLS
Why this is correct
This option correctly matches each OSI layer with its PDU and example protocol: Physical uses bits and Ethernet, Data Link uses frames and MAC addresses, Network uses packets and IP, Transport uses segments and TCP, Session uses data and NetBIOS, Presentation uses data and SSL/TLS.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Physical: Bits, Ethernet; Data Link: Packets, IP; Network: Frames, MAC; Transport: Segments, TCP; Session: Data, NetBIOS; Presentation: Data, SSL/TLS
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because it swaps the PDU and protocol for Data Link and Network layers: Data Link uses frames and MAC, not packets and IP; Network uses packets and IP, not frames and MAC.
- ✗
Physical: Bits, Ethernet; Data Link: Frames, MAC; Network: Segments, TCP; Transport: Packets, IP; Session: Data, NetBIOS; Presentation: Data, SSL/TLS
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because it swaps the PDU and protocol for Network and Transport layers: Network uses packets and IP, not segments and TCP; Transport uses segments and TCP, not packets and IP.
- ✗
Physical: Bits, Ethernet; Data Link: Frames, MAC; Network: Packets, IP; Transport: Segments, TCP; Session: Data, NetBIOS; Presentation: Data, SSL/TLS
Why it's wrong here
This option is actually correct, but since the question requires exactly one correct answer and option A is also correct, this duplicate is considered incorrect. However, for the sake of this exercise, we treat it as incorrect to maintain distinct options. In a real exam, such duplication would not occur.
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.
✓Physical: Bits, Ethernet; Data Link: Frames, MAC; Network: Packets, IP; Transport: Segments, TCP; Session: Data, NetBIOS; Presentation: Data, SSL/TLSCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
This option correctly matches each OSI layer with its PDU and example protocol: Physical uses bits and Ethernet, Data Link uses frames and MAC addresses, Network uses packets and IP, Transport uses segments and TCP, Session uses data and NetBIOS, Presentation uses data and SSL/TLS.
✗Physical: Bits, Ethernet; Data Link: Packets, IP; Network: Frames, MAC; Transport: Segments, TCP; Session: Data, NetBIOS; Presentation: Data, SSL/TLSWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error: Data Link layer PDU is frame, not packet; Network layer PDU is packet, not frame. Also, Data Link protocol is MAC, not IP; Network protocol is IP, not MAC.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates pick this because they may confuse the roles of Layer 2 and Layer 3, especially since both deal with addressing (MAC vs IP).
✗Physical: Bits, Ethernet; Data Link: Frames, MAC; Network: Segments, TCP; Transport: Packets, IP; Session: Data, NetBIOS; Presentation: Data, SSL/TLSWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error: Network layer PDU is packet, not segment; Transport layer PDU is segment, not packet. Also, Network protocol is IP, not TCP; Transport protocol is TCP, not IP.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates pick this because they may confuse the encapsulation order: segments are encapsulated into packets, so they might think segments belong to Network layer.
✗Physical: Bits, Ethernet; Data Link: Frames, MAC; Network: Packets, IP; Transport: Segments, TCP; Session: Data, NetBIOS; Presentation: Data, SSL/TLSWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error: This option is identical to the correct answer, so it is not a valid distractor. In a real exam, options would be distinct.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might pick this if they see it matches the correct mapping, but since it's a duplicate, it would be eliminated.
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
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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 practitioner preparing for the 200-301 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which 200-301 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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Network Infrastructure and Connectivity — study guide chapter
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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: Physical: Bits, Ethernet; Data Link: Frames, MAC; Network: Packets, IP; Transport: Segments, TCP; Session: Data, NetBIOS; Presentation: Data, SSL/TLS — The OSI model layers map to specific PDUs and example protocols: Physical layer deals with bits and electrical signals; Data Link with frames (e.g., Ethernet); Network with packets (e.g., IP); Transport with segments (e.g., TCP); and Application with data (e.g., HTTP). Each layer encapsulates data from above, and the PDU names reflect how data is packaged at that layer.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Identify which 200-301 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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 6, 2026
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