- A
Enter global configuration mode, create the DHCP pool, configure the network and default gateway, exclude addresses, enable DHCP relay on the required interface, and verify.
Why wrong: This is the correct sequence: first enter global configuration mode, then create the DHCP pool with network and default gateway, exclude addresses to prevent conflicts, enable DHCP relay on the interface that needs to forward requests, and finally verify the configuration.
- B
Enter global configuration mode, enable DHCP relay on the required interface, create the DHCP pool, configure the network and default gateway, exclude addresses, and verify.
This is incorrect because DHCP relay should be configured after the DHCP pool is created and addresses are excluded, not before. The relay configuration depends on the interface and the DHCP server address, which is independent of the pool, but the logical order is to set up the server first.
- C
Enter global configuration mode, create the DHCP pool, enable DHCP relay on the required interface, configure the network and default gateway, exclude addresses, and verify.
This is incorrect because the network and default gateway must be configured within the DHCP pool before excluding addresses. The pool configuration includes the network and default gateway, and excluding addresses is part of the pool configuration.
- D
Enter global configuration mode, exclude addresses, create the DHCP pool, configure the network and default gateway, enable DHCP relay on the required interface, and verify.
Correct order: exclusions first to protect reserved addresses, then pool configuration, relay agent, and verification.
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 a Cisco IOS-XE router as a DHCP server for a client VLAN and then enable a DHCP relay agent on a different interface to forward client requests to a remote server.
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, enable DHCP relay on the required interface, create the DHCP pool, configure the network and default gateway, exclude addresses, and verify.
The correct order is to first exclude addresses to prevent the DHCP server from leasing reserved or gateway IPs, then create and configure the DHCP pool (network, default gateway), next enable DHCP relay on the required interface, and finally verify. Option D follows this Cisco best practice. Option A risks assigning excluded addresses because the pool is created before exclusions. Options B and C place relay setup before the pool is fully configured, which is incorrect.
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, create the DHCP pool, configure the network and default gateway, exclude addresses, enable DHCP relay on the required interface, and verify.
Why it's wrong here
This is the correct sequence: first enter global configuration mode, then create the DHCP pool with network and default gateway, exclude addresses to prevent conflicts, enable DHCP relay on the interface that needs to forward requests, and finally verify the configuration.
- ✓
Enter global configuration mode, enable DHCP relay on the required interface, create the DHCP pool, configure the network and default gateway, exclude addresses, and verify.
Why this is correct
This is incorrect because DHCP relay should be configured after the DHCP pool is created and addresses are excluded, not before. The relay configuration depends on the interface and the DHCP server address, which is independent of the pool, but the logical order is to set up the server first.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✓
Enter global configuration mode, create the DHCP pool, enable DHCP relay on the required interface, configure the network and default gateway, exclude addresses, and verify.
Why this is correct
This is incorrect because the network and default gateway must be configured within the DHCP pool before excluding addresses. The pool configuration includes the network and default gateway, and excluding addresses is part of the pool configuration.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✓
Enter global configuration mode, exclude addresses, create the DHCP pool, configure the network and default gateway, enable DHCP relay on the required interface, and verify.
Why this is correct
Correct order: exclusions first to protect reserved addresses, then pool configuration, relay agent, and verification.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
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, enable DHCP relay on the required interface, create the DHCP pool, configure the network and default gateway, exclude addresses, and verify.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
This is incorrect because DHCP relay should be configured after the DHCP pool is created and addresses are excluded, not before. The relay configuration depends on the interface and the DHCP server address, which is independent of the pool, but the logical order is to set up the server first.
✗Enter global configuration mode, create the DHCP pool, configure the network and default gateway, exclude addresses, enable DHCP relay on the required interface, and verify.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Configuring the pool before exclusions risks the DHCP server assigning an excluded address before the exclusion takes effect.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
This sequence is used when configuring a Cisco IOS-XE router to act as a DHCP server for a local VLAN and also as a DHCP relay agent on another interface to forward requests to a remote DHCP server.
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 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.
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, enable DHCP relay on the required interface, create the DHCP pool, configure the network and default gateway, exclude addresses, and verify. — The correct order is to first exclude addresses to prevent the DHCP server from leasing reserved or gateway IPs, then create and configure the DHCP pool (network, default gateway), next enable DHCP relay on the required interface, and finally verify. Option D follows this Cisco best practice. Option A risks assigning excluded addresses because the pool is created before exclusions. Options B and C place relay setup before the pool is fully configured, which is incorrect.
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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