- A
Enter global configuration mode, then interface configuration mode, enable PortFast, enable BPDU Guard, verify with 'show spanning-tree interface <int> detail', and recover by issuing 'shutdown' followed by 'no shutdown'.
This is the correct sequence: global config, interface, PortFast, BPDU Guard, verification, and recovery via interface cycle. PortFast must be enabled before BPDU Guard because BPDU Guard relies on PortFast being active. Verification uses 'show spanning-tree interface <int> detail' to confirm both features. Recovery from error-disable requires clearing the state, typically by cycling the interface.
- B
Enter interface configuration mode, enable BPDU Guard, enable PortFast, verify with 'show running-config interface <int>', and recover by issuing 'clear spanning-tree detected-protocols'.
This is incorrect because BPDU Guard should be enabled after PortFast, not before. Also, verification should use 'show spanning-tree interface <int> detail' to see PortFast and BPDU Guard status, not 'show running-config'. Recovery from BPDU Guard error-disable requires cycling the interface, not 'clear spanning-tree detected-protocols'.
- C
Enter global configuration mode, enable BPDU Guard globally, then interface configuration mode, enable PortFast, verify with 'show spanning-tree summary', and recover by reloading the switch.
This is incorrect because BPDU Guard is configured per interface, not globally, in this context. Also, verification should be interface-specific, and recovery does not require a full switch reload—just cycling the interface.
- D
Enter interface configuration mode, enable PortFast, enable BPDU Guard, verify with 'show interfaces status', and recover by issuing 'errdisable recovery cause bpduguard'.
This is incorrect because while the order (PortFast then BPDU Guard) is correct, verification should use 'show spanning-tree interface <int> detail', not 'show interfaces status'. Recovery via 'errdisable recovery cause bpduguard' is an automatic recovery mechanism, but the question asks for recovery after an event, which typically requires manual intervention like cycling the interface.
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 PortFast and BPDU Guard on a switch interface, then verify and recover after a BPDU guard error-disable event.
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 spanning-tree interface <int> detail', and recover by issuing 'shutdown' followed by 'no shutdown'.
The order is global config, interface, PortFast, BPDU Guard, then verification; recovery after a BPDU guard event requires clearing the error-disable state by cycling the interface.
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 spanning-tree interface <int> detail', and recover by issuing 'shutdown' followed by 'no shutdown'.
Why this is correct
This is the correct sequence: global config, interface, PortFast, BPDU Guard, verification, and recovery via interface cycle. PortFast must be enabled before BPDU Guard because BPDU Guard relies on PortFast being active. Verification uses 'show spanning-tree interface <int> detail' to confirm both features. Recovery from error-disable requires clearing the state, typically by cycling the interface.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✓
Enter interface configuration mode, enable BPDU Guard, enable PortFast, verify with 'show running-config interface <int>', and recover by issuing 'clear spanning-tree detected-protocols'.
Why this is correct
This is incorrect because BPDU Guard should be enabled after PortFast, not before. Also, verification should use 'show spanning-tree interface <int> detail' to see PortFast and BPDU Guard status, not 'show running-config'. Recovery from BPDU Guard error-disable requires cycling the interface, not 'clear spanning-tree detected-protocols'.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✓
Enter global configuration mode, enable BPDU Guard globally, then interface configuration mode, enable PortFast, verify with 'show spanning-tree summary', and recover by reloading the switch.
Why this is correct
This is incorrect because BPDU Guard is configured per interface, not globally, in this context. Also, verification should be interface-specific, and recovery does not require a full switch reload—just cycling the interface.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✓
Enter interface configuration mode, enable PortFast, enable BPDU Guard, verify with 'show interfaces status', and recover by issuing 'errdisable recovery cause bpduguard'.
Why this is correct
This is incorrect because while the order (PortFast then BPDU Guard) is correct, verification should use 'show spanning-tree interface <int> detail', not 'show interfaces status'. Recovery via 'errdisable recovery cause bpduguard' is an automatic recovery mechanism, but the question asks for recovery after an event, which typically requires manual intervention like cycling 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 spanning-tree interface <int> detail', and recover by issuing 'shutdown' followed by 'no shutdown'. — The order is global config, interface, PortFast, BPDU Guard, then verification; recovery after a BPDU guard event requires clearing the error-disable state by cycling the interface.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 6, 2026
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