- A
Enter global configuration mode, mark inside and outside interfaces, create a pool of global addresses, then enable PAT with overload.
This is the correct order for configuring PAT on a Cisco IOS-XE router. First, you enter global configuration mode. Then you mark the inside and outside interfaces using 'ip nat inside' and 'ip nat outside'. Next, you create a pool of global addresses using 'ip nat pool'. Finally, you enable PAT with the 'overload' keyword to allow multiple inside hosts to share the pool addresses.
- B
Create a pool of global addresses, mark inside and outside interfaces, enter global configuration mode, then enable PAT with overload.
This is incorrect because you must enter global configuration mode before marking interfaces or creating the pool. The order is wrong; you cannot create a pool or mark interfaces without first being in the correct configuration mode.
- C
Mark inside and outside interfaces, enter global configuration mode, enable PAT with overload, then create a pool of global addresses.
This is incorrect because you must enter global configuration mode before marking interfaces. Also, the pool must be created before enabling PAT with overload, as the overload command references the pool.
- D
Enter global configuration mode, enable PAT with overload, create a pool of global addresses, then mark inside and outside interfaces.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because the inside and outside interfaces must be marked before enabling PAT. The NAT configuration requires the interfaces to be identified as inside or outside for the translation to work correctly.
CCNA Network Services and Security Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of network services and security. 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 following steps into the correct order to configure PAT (Port Address Translation) on a Cisco IOS-XE router and describe the translation process for an outbound packet.
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
Enter global configuration mode, mark inside and outside interfaces, create a pool of global addresses, then enable PAT with overload.
First, enter config mode. Then mark the inside and outside interfaces. Create a pool of global addresses. Finally, enable PAT with overload to allow multiple inside hosts to share the pool addresses.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Enter global configuration mode, mark inside and outside interfaces, create a pool of global addresses, then enable PAT with overload.
Why this is correct
This is the correct order for configuring PAT on a Cisco IOS-XE router. First, you enter global configuration mode. Then you mark the inside and outside interfaces using 'ip nat inside' and 'ip nat outside'. Next, you create a pool of global addresses using 'ip nat pool'. Finally, you enable PAT with the 'overload' keyword to allow multiple inside hosts to share the pool addresses.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✓
Create a pool of global addresses, mark inside and outside interfaces, enter global configuration mode, then enable PAT with overload.
Why this is correct
This is incorrect because you must enter global configuration mode before marking interfaces or creating the pool. The order is wrong; you cannot create a pool or mark interfaces without first being in the correct configuration mode.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✓
Mark inside and outside interfaces, enter global configuration mode, enable PAT with overload, then create a pool of global addresses.
Why this is correct
This is incorrect because you must enter global configuration mode before marking interfaces. Also, the pool must be created before enabling PAT with overload, as the overload command references the pool.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✗
Enter global configuration mode, enable PAT with overload, create a pool of global addresses, then mark inside and outside interfaces.
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.
✓Enter global configuration mode, mark inside and outside interfaces, create a pool of global addresses, then enable PAT with overload.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
This is the correct order for configuring PAT on a Cisco IOS-XE router. First, you enter global configuration mode. Then you mark the inside and outside interfaces using 'ip nat inside' and 'ip nat outside'. Next, you create a pool of global addresses using 'ip nat pool'. Finally, you enable PAT with the 'overload' keyword to allow multiple inside hosts to share the pool addresses.
✗Enter global configuration mode, enable PAT with overload, create a pool of global addresses, then mark inside and outside interfaces.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Enabling PAT with overload before creating the pool will fail because the overload command must reference an existing pool.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think that creating the pool and enabling PAT are the core steps and that interface marking can be done later, but the order matters for proper operation.
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: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related 200-301 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
Network Services and Security — This question tests Network Services and Security — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enter global configuration mode, mark inside and outside interfaces, create a pool of global addresses, then enable PAT with overload. — First, enter config mode. Then mark the inside and outside interfaces. Create a pool of global addresses. Finally, enable PAT with overload to allow multiple inside hosts to share the pool addresses.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related 200-301 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 6, 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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