Question 330 of 1,819

Switching and Network Access →mediumDrag & DropObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The correct sequence is to first enter global configuration mode, enable BPDU Guard globally, then enter interface configuration mode, enable PortFast, verify the settings, and recover after a violation by removing BPDU Guard and performing an administrative shutdown followed by no shutdown. This order is correct because BPDU Guard is typically applied globally to all PortFast-enabled ports, while PortFast itself must be configured on the specific interface to bypass the normal spanning-tree listening and learning states. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this question tests your ability to configure and recover from BPDU Guard violations, a common scenario where an unauthorized switch is connected and triggers an error-disable state. A frequent trap is forgetting that recovery requires clearing the error-disable condition with a shutdown/no shutdown cycle, not just removing the guard. Remember the memory tip: “Global guard, interface fast, then shut/no shut to make it last.”

CCNA Switching and Network Access Practice Question

This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of switching and network access. 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.

Which of the following sequences correctly configures and verifies PortFast and BPDU Guard on a Cisco IOS-XE switch interface, and then recovers after a BPDU guard violation?

Question 1mediumdrag order

Full question →

A
Enter global configuration mode, then interface configuration mode, enable PortFast, enable BPDU Guard, verify with show commands, and recover by shutting down and no shutting down the interface.
This is correct because it follows the standard Cisco IOS procedure: global config, interface config, spanning-tree portfast, spanning-tree bpduguard enable, verification with 'show spanning-tree interface', and recovery from errdisable state using 'shutdown' followed by 'no shutdown'.
B
Enter interface configuration mode, enable BPDU Guard, enable PortFast, exit to global config, verify, and recover by reloading the switch.
This is incorrect because BPDU Guard should be enabled after PortFast, not before; also, recovery from errdisable state does not require a switch reload—a simple interface shutdown/no shutdown suffices.
C
Enter global configuration mode, enable BPDU Guard globally, then enter interface configuration mode, enable PortFast, verify, and recover by removing BPDU Guard.
This is incorrect because BPDU Guard is typically enabled per interface (or globally with 'spanning-tree portfast bpduguard default'), but the question specifies configuring on a specific interface; also, recovery from a violation does not require removing BPDU Guard—just re-enabling the interface.
D
Enter interface configuration mode, enable PortFast, enable BPDU Guard, exit to global config, verify, and recover by issuing 'clear errdisable interface' command.
This is incorrect because while the configuration order is correct, the recovery method is wrong: the 'clear errdisable interface' command does not exist; the proper recovery is to administratively shut down and no shut down the interface.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

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, then interface configuration mode, enable PortFast, enable BPDU Guard, verify with show commands, and recover by shutting down and no shutting down the interface.

First enter global config, then the specific interface, enable PortFast, then BPDU Guard; verification confirms settings; recovery after error-disable requires administrative shutdown and no shutdown.

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, then interface configuration mode, enable PortFast, enable BPDU Guard, verify with show commands, and recover by shutting down and no shutting down the interface.
Why this is correct
This is correct because it follows the standard Cisco IOS procedure: global config, interface config, spanning-tree portfast, spanning-tree bpduguard enable, verification with 'show spanning-tree interface', and recovery from errdisable state using 'shutdown' followed by 'no shutdown'.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✓
Enter interface configuration mode, enable BPDU Guard, enable PortFast, exit to global config, verify, and recover by reloading the switch.
Why this is correct
This is incorrect because BPDU Guard should be enabled after PortFast, not before; also, recovery from errdisable state does not require a switch reload—a simple interface shutdown/no shutdown suffices.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✓
Enter global configuration mode, enable BPDU Guard globally, then enter interface configuration mode, enable PortFast, verify, and recover by removing BPDU Guard.
Why this is correct
This is incorrect because BPDU Guard is typically enabled per interface (or globally with 'spanning-tree portfast bpduguard default'), but the question specifies configuring on a specific interface; also, recovery from a violation does not require removing BPDU Guard—just re-enabling the interface.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✓
Enter interface configuration mode, enable PortFast, enable BPDU Guard, exit to global config, verify, and recover by issuing 'clear errdisable interface' command.
Why this is correct
This is incorrect because while the configuration order is correct, the recovery method is wrong: the 'clear errdisable interface' command does not exist; the proper recovery is to administratively shut down and no shut down the interface.
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 practitioner preparing for the 200-301 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.

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?

Switching and Network Access — This question tests Switching and Network Access — Authentication checks who the user is..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: Enter global configuration mode, then interface configuration mode, enable PortFast, enable BPDU Guard, verify with show commands, and recover by shutting down and no shutting down the interface. — First enter global config, then the specific interface, enable PortFast, then BPDU Guard; verification confirms settings; recovery after error-disable requires administrative shutdown and no shutdown.

What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?

What is the key concept behind this question?

Authentication checks who the user is.

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