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 (overload) on a Cisco router using a single public IP address on the outside interface.
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
The correct sequence is: first enter global configuration mode, then define the access list that matches inside traffic. Next, mark the inside and outside interfaces with `ip nat inside` and `ip nat outside` respectively. Finally, enable PAT with overload using `ip nat inside source list <acl> interface <outside-if> overload`. This order ensures the router knows which interfaces are internal and external, which traffic to translate, and how to perform the translation.
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
Why this is correct
All configuration changes must be performed from global configuration mode.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✓
Create an access list to match the traffic to be translated
Why this is correct
Defines which internal source IP addresses will be eligible for PAT.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✓
Configure the inside interface with 'ip nat inside'
Why this is correct
Identifies the interface connecting to the internal network for NAT operations.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✓
Configure the outside interface with 'ip nat outside'
Why this is correct
Identifies the interface connecting to the external network for NAT operations.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 200-301 question in full detail.
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.
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 — The correct sequence is: first enter global configuration mode, then define the access list that matches inside traffic. Next, mark the inside and outside interfaces with `ip nat inside` and `ip nat outside` respectively. Finally, enable PAT with overload using `ip nat inside source list <acl> interface <outside-if> overload`. This order ensures the router knows which interfaces are internal and external, which traffic to translate, and how to perform the translation.
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.
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Question Discussion
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