- A
1. Exclude addresses from the pool. 2. Configure the DHCP pool for VLAN 10 with network, default-router, and DNS. 3. Enable DHCP relay on the VLAN 20 interface. 4. Verify DHCP operations.
Global exclusions are configured first to protect specific addresses; the DHCP pool is then created to define the dynamic range; relay is enabled afterwards to forward remote client requests to the now‑configured server; finally, verification ensures the services are operational.
- B
1. Enable DHCP relay on the VLAN 20 interface. 2. Configure the DHCP pool for VLAN 10. 3. Exclude addresses from the pool. 4. Verify DHCP operations.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because DHCP relay should be configured after the DHCP server pool is set up. Enabling relay before the server is ready may cause clients to send requests that cannot be answered.
- C
1. Exclude addresses from the pool. 2. Enable DHCP relay on the VLAN 20 interface. 3. Configure the DHCP pool for VLAN 10. 4. Verify DHCP operations.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because the DHCP pool must be created before excluding addresses. Exclusions are part of the pool configuration and cannot be applied before the pool exists.
- D
1. Configure the DHCP pool for VLAN 10. 2. Enable DHCP relay on the VLAN 20 interface. 3. Exclude addresses from the pool. 4. Verify DHCP operations.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because exclusions should be configured before enabling relay. Although the pool is created first, exclusions are part of the pool configuration and should be done before moving to relay.
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 VLAN 10 subnet and enable DHCP relay for a remote client on VLAN 20.
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
1. Exclude addresses from the pool. 2. Configure the DHCP pool for VLAN 10 with network, default-router, and DNS. 3. Enable DHCP relay on the VLAN 20 interface. 4. Verify DHCP operations.
The correct sequence is to globally exclude IP addresses first, preventing the DHCP server from assigning reserved addresses. Then define the DHCP pool for VLAN 10 with network parameters, enable DHCP relay on the VLAN 20 interface so it forwards requests to the server, and finally verify the service is functioning. Options that place relay before pool or exclusions after pool misorder these essential configuration steps and deviate from recommended practice.
Key principle: A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
1. Exclude addresses from the pool. 2. Configure the DHCP pool for VLAN 10 with network, default-router, and DNS. 3. Enable DHCP relay on the VLAN 20 interface. 4. Verify DHCP operations.
Why this is correct
Global exclusions are configured first to protect specific addresses; the DHCP pool is then created to define the dynamic range; relay is enabled afterwards to forward remote client requests to the now‑configured server; finally, verification ensures the services are operational.
Related concept
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
- ✗
1. Enable DHCP relay on the VLAN 20 interface. 2. Configure the DHCP pool for VLAN 10. 3. Exclude addresses from the pool. 4. Verify DHCP operations.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because DHCP relay should be configured after the DHCP server pool is set up. Enabling relay before the server is ready may cause clients to send requests that cannot be answered.
- ✗
1. Exclude addresses from the pool. 2. Enable DHCP relay on the VLAN 20 interface. 3. Configure the DHCP pool for VLAN 10. 4. Verify DHCP operations.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because the DHCP pool must be created before excluding addresses. Exclusions are part of the pool configuration and cannot be applied before the pool exists.
- ✗
1. Configure the DHCP pool for VLAN 10. 2. Enable DHCP relay on the VLAN 20 interface. 3. Exclude addresses from the pool. 4. Verify DHCP operations.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because exclusions should be configured before enabling relay. Although the pool is created first, exclusions are part of the pool configuration and should be done before moving to relay.
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.
✓1. Exclude addresses from the pool. 2. Configure the DHCP pool for VLAN 10 with network, default-router, and DNS. 3. Enable DHCP relay on the VLAN 20 interface. 4. Verify DHCP operations.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
Global exclusions are configured first to protect specific addresses; the DHCP pool is then created to define the dynamic range; relay is enabled afterwards to forward remote client requests to the now‑configured server; finally, verification ensures the services are operational.
✗1. Enable DHCP relay on the VLAN 20 interface. 2. Configure the DHCP pool for VLAN 10. 3. Exclude addresses from the pool. 4. Verify DHCP operations.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Relay is configured before the DHCP pool exists, so the relay agent will have no server to point to initially, and the pool creation step is out of order.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think relay must be configured first to forward requests to the server, but the server must be ready to respond.
✗1. Exclude addresses from the pool. 2. Enable DHCP relay on the VLAN 20 interface. 3. Configure the DHCP pool for VLAN 10. 4. Verify DHCP operations.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The relay is enabled before the pool is created, breaking the logical dependency: the relay should forward requests only after the server pool is fully configured.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think exclusions are a global step that can be done independently, but they are tied to the pool.
✗1. Configure the DHCP pool for VLAN 10. 2. Enable DHCP relay on the VLAN 20 interface. 3. Exclude addresses from the pool. 4. Verify DHCP operations.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Address exclusions occur after pool configuration, risking that excluded IPs might already be assigned before the exclusion is applied.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think relay can be enabled immediately after pool creation, but exclusions are still part of the server setup.
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: an active trunk can still block the VLAN you need
A trunk being up does not prove every VLAN is crossing it. Check allowed VLAN lists, native VLAN mismatch, VLAN existence and access-port assignment.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
VLAN questions usually combine access-port and trunking clues. The key is to identify whether the issue is local to one switchport, caused by the trunk, or caused by the VLAN not existing where it needs to exist.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
- Trunk ports carry multiple VLANs between switches.
- Allowed VLAN lists decide which VLANs can cross a trunk.
- Native VLAN mismatch can create confusing symptoms.
TExam Day Tips
- Use show vlan brief to verify access VLANs.
- Use show interfaces trunk to verify trunk state and allowed VLANs.
- Do not treat every same-VLAN issue as a routing problem.
Key takeaway
A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.
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 VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related 200-301 questions on switching, trunking, and access-port 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 — Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 1. Exclude addresses from the pool. 2. Configure the DHCP pool for VLAN 10 with network, default-router, and DNS. 3. Enable DHCP relay on the VLAN 20 interface. 4. Verify DHCP operations. — The correct sequence is to globally exclude IP addresses first, preventing the DHCP server from assigning reserved addresses. Then define the DHCP pool for VLAN 10 with network parameters, enable DHCP relay on the VLAN 20 interface so it forwards requests to the server, and finally verify the service is functioning. Options that place relay before pool or exclusions after pool misorder these essential configuration steps and deviate from recommended practice.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related 200-301 questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 6, 2026
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