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Question 1,017 of 1,052
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CCNA Practice Question: Which TWO statements are true regarding VLAN…
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of 200-301 exam topics. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
Which TWO statements are true regarding VLAN configuration, 802.1Q trunking, and the native VLAN?
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
✓
The native VLAN should be changed from the default VLAN 1 to an unused VLAN for security reasons.
The native VLAN (default VLAN 1) is used for untagged traffic on an 802.1Q trunk; frames in the native VLAN are not tagged. To prevent VLAN hopping and other issues, the native VLAN should be changed from VLAN 1 to a different, unused VLAN. Additionally, 802.1Q is an industry-standard trunking protocol that supports up to 4094 VLANs (VLAN IDs 1–4094, with 0 and 4095 reserved).
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.
- ✗
On an 802.1Q trunk, frames in the native VLAN are always tagged with a VLAN ID.
Why it's wrong here
This is false. Frames in the native VLAN are not tagged; they are sent untagged on an 802.1Q trunk.
- ✓
The native VLAN should be changed from the default VLAN 1 to an unused VLAN for security reasons.
Why this is correct
Changing the native VLAN away from VLAN 1 is a security best practice to prevent VLAN hopping and reduce the risk of attacks that exploit the default native VLAN.
Related concept
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
- ✗
802.1Q is a Cisco proprietary trunking protocol.
Why it's wrong here
802.1Q is an IEEE standard (industry standard), not a Cisco proprietary protocol. ISL is Cisco proprietary, but it is obsolete.
- ✓
802.1Q supports up to 4094 VLANs (VLAN IDs 1–4094).
- ✗
The native VLAN must be the same on both ends of an 802.1Q trunk for the trunk to operate.
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.
✓The native VLAN should be changed from the default VLAN 1 to an unused VLAN for security reasons.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
Changing the native VLAN away from VLAN 1 is a security best practice to prevent VLAN hopping and reduce the risk of attacks that exploit the default native VLAN.
✗On an 802.1Q trunk, frames in the native VLAN are always tagged with a VLAN ID.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The native VLAN is specifically the VLAN that does not get a tag; all other VLANs are tagged.
✗802.1Q is a Cisco proprietary trunking protocol.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
802.1Q is an open standard, whereas ISL was Cisco proprietary.
✗The native VLAN must be the same on both ends of an 802.1Q trunk for the trunk to operate.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Mismatched native VLANs can lead to security vulnerabilities and misrouting, but the trunk itself may still come up.
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?
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The native VLAN should be changed from the default VLAN 1 to an unused VLAN for security reasons. — The native VLAN (default VLAN 1) is used for untagged traffic on an 802.1Q trunk; frames in the native VLAN are not tagged. To prevent VLAN hopping and other issues, the native VLAN should be changed from VLAN 1 to a different, unused VLAN. Additionally, 802.1Q is an industry-standard trunking protocol that supports up to 4094 VLANs (VLAN IDs 1–4094, with 0 and 4095 reserved).
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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