- A
Create VLANs, assign access ports, configure 802.1Q trunks, set native VLAN, verify with 'show vlan brief' and 'show interfaces trunk'
This is the correct order: VLANs must exist before ports can be assigned to them; access ports are configured before trunking; the native VLAN is set on the trunk; verification confirms all configurations.
- B
Assign access ports, create VLANs, configure 802.1Q trunks, set native VLAN, verify with 'show vlan brief' and 'show interfaces trunk'
Why wrong: This is incorrect because VLANs must be created before assigning ports to them; otherwise, the port assignment will fail or be assigned to a non-existent VLAN.
- C
Create VLANs, assign access ports, set native VLAN, configure 802.1Q trunks, verify with 'show vlan brief' and 'show interfaces trunk'
Why wrong: This is incorrect because the native VLAN is a trunk-specific parameter and must be configured after the trunk is enabled, not before.
- D
Assign access ports, configure 802.1Q trunks, create VLANs, set native VLAN, verify with 'show vlan brief' and 'show interfaces trunk'
Why wrong: This is incorrect because VLANs must be created before both access port assignment and trunk configuration; also, trunking should be configured after access ports.
Quick Answer
The correct order for VLAN configuration steps is: create VLANs, assign access ports, configure 802.1Q trunks, set the native VLAN, and then verify with 'show vlan brief' and 'show interfaces trunk'. This sequence is technically necessary because VLANs must exist in the VLAN database before any switch port can be assigned to them; attempting to assign a port to a non-existent VLAN will result in an error. After access ports are assigned, trunk ports are configured to carry multiple VLANs between switches, and the native VLAN is set on those trunks to define untagged traffic. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this drag-and-drop task tests your understanding of the logical dependency between creation and assignment, and a common trap is placing verification steps too early or forgetting that the native VLAN must be configured after the trunk is established. A reliable memory tip is the acronym CAT-NV: Create, Assign, Trunk, Native, Verify—think of a cat wearing a native VLAN collar.
CCNA Switching and Network Access Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of switching and network access. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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 create VLANs, assign access ports, configure 802.1Q trunks, set the native VLAN, and verify with 'show vlan brief' and 'show interfaces trunk'.
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
Create VLANs, assign access ports, configure 802.1Q trunks, set native VLAN, verify with 'show vlan brief' and 'show interfaces trunk'
VLANs must be created before assigning ports; trunking is configured after access ports; verification is the final step.
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.
- ✓
Create VLANs, assign access ports, configure 802.1Q trunks, set native VLAN, verify with 'show vlan brief' and 'show interfaces trunk'
Why this is correct
This is the correct order: VLANs must exist before ports can be assigned to them; access ports are configured before trunking; the native VLAN is set on the trunk; verification confirms all configurations.
Related concept
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
- ✗
Assign access ports, create VLANs, configure 802.1Q trunks, set native VLAN, verify with 'show vlan brief' and 'show interfaces trunk'
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because VLANs must be created before assigning ports to them; otherwise, the port assignment will fail or be assigned to a non-existent VLAN.
- ✗
Create VLANs, assign access ports, set native VLAN, configure 802.1Q trunks, verify with 'show vlan brief' and 'show interfaces trunk'
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because the native VLAN is a trunk-specific parameter and must be configured after the trunk is enabled, not before.
- ✗
Assign access ports, configure 802.1Q trunks, create VLANs, set native VLAN, verify with 'show vlan brief' and 'show interfaces trunk'
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because VLANs must be created before both access port assignment and trunk configuration; also, trunking should be configured after access ports.
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.
✓Create VLANs, assign access ports, configure 802.1Q trunks, set native VLAN, verify with 'show vlan brief' and 'show interfaces trunk'Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
This is the correct order: VLANs must exist before ports can be assigned to them; access ports are configured before trunking; the native VLAN is set on the trunk; verification confirms all configurations.
✗Assign access ports, create VLANs, configure 802.1Q trunks, set native VLAN, verify with 'show vlan brief' and 'show interfaces trunk'Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
VLANs must exist before ports can be assigned; creating VLANs after port assignment is invalid.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think port assignment can be done first because they configure interfaces before VLANs in some scenarios, but VLAN creation is a prerequisite.
✗Create VLANs, assign access ports, set native VLAN, configure 802.1Q trunks, verify with 'show vlan brief' and 'show interfaces trunk'Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Native VLAN configuration is part of trunk configuration and should be done after trunk mode is set.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think native VLAN is set independently of trunking, but it only applies to trunk ports.
✗Assign access ports, configure 802.1Q trunks, create VLANs, set native VLAN, verify with 'show vlan brief' and 'show interfaces trunk'Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
VLAN creation must precede both access port assignment and trunk configuration; this order violates that dependency.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse the order of VLAN creation and trunk configuration, thinking trunks can be set up before VLANs exist.
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?
Switching and Network Access — This question tests Switching and Network Access — Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create VLANs, assign access ports, configure 802.1Q trunks, set native VLAN, verify with 'show vlan brief' and 'show interfaces trunk' — VLANs must be created before assigning ports; trunking is configured after access ports; verification is the final step.
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.
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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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