The correct recovery steps are to first remove the unauthorized switch, then issue the shutdown and no shutdown commands on the port. This order is critical because BPDU guard places the PortFast-enabled access port into an error-disabled state upon receiving any BPDU, and simply cycling the port without removing the offending device will cause the violation to reoccur immediately, trapping the port in a loop. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this drag-and-drop task tests your understanding of how BPDU guard interacts with PortFast in RSTP to protect against rogue switch connections, and the common trap is forgetting to physically disconnect the unauthorized switch before recovery. A reliable memory tip is “remove the rogue, then toggle the port”—think of it as fixing the cause before resetting the symptom, ensuring the port stays up after the no shutdown command.
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.
Drag and drop the following steps into the correct order to configure and recover from a BPDU guard violation on a PortFast-enabled access port in RSTP.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Configure PortFast and BPDU guard on the interface.
Configure PortFast and BPDU guard on the access port. Then trigger a violation by connecting an unauthorized switch, which causes the port to error-disable. Diagnose by checking the error-disabled status. To recover, first remove the offending device, then cycle the port with shutdown and no shutdown; otherwise the port will immediately go error-disabled again.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Configure PortFast and BPDU guard on the interface.
Why this is correct
This is the first step: enabling PortFast and BPDU guard on the access port to prevent loops and protect against rogue BPDUs.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Trigger a BPDU guard violation by connecting a switch to the port.
Why this is correct
This is incorrect because the violation must be triggered after configuration, but it is not the first step; configuration comes first.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Diagnose the violation by checking the error-disabled status.
Why this is correct
This is incorrect because diagnosis occurs after the violation, not before configuration.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Remove the unauthorized switch, then recover the port by issuing the 'shutdown' and 'no shutdown' commands.
Why this is correct
This is incorrect because recovery is the final step, not the first.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 200-301 question in full detail.
Identify which 200-301 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Switching and Network Access — This question tests Switching and Network Access — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure PortFast and BPDU guard on the interface. — Configure PortFast and BPDU guard on the access port. Then trigger a violation by connecting an unauthorized switch, which causes the port to error-disable. Diagnose by checking the error-disabled status. To recover, first remove the offending device, then cycle the port with shutdown and no shutdown; otherwise the port will immediately go error-disabled again.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Identify which 200-301 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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