- A
Enter global configuration mode, then interface configuration mode, enable PortFast, enable BPDU Guard, and after an error-disable event, manually re-enable the interface using the 'shutdown' command followed by the 'no shutdown' command.
This sequence correctly follows the standard Cisco configuration steps: first enter global config, then interface config, enable PortFast (spanning-tree portfast), enable BPDU Guard (spanning-tree bpduguard enable), and after an error-disable event, recover by re-enabling the port with 'no shutdown'.
- B
Enter global configuration mode, enable BPDU Guard, enable PortFast, then after an error-disable event, automatically recover the port using the 'errdisable recovery cause bpduguard' command.
This is incorrect because BPDU Guard should be enabled after PortFast on the interface, and automatic recovery is not the default recovery method; manual recovery with 'no shutdown' is the standard approach.
- C
Enter interface configuration mode directly, enable PortFast, enable BPDU Guard, and after an error-disable event, use the 'clear spanning-tree bpduguard' command to recover the port.
This is incorrect because you must first enter global configuration mode before interface configuration mode, and the 'clear spanning-tree bpduguard' command does not recover an error-disabled port; it clears BPDU Guard statistics.
- D
Enter global configuration mode, then interface configuration mode, enable BPDU Guard, enable PortFast, and after an error-disable event, automatically recover by configuring 'spanning-tree portfast bpduguard default' globally.
This is incorrect because PortFast must be enabled before BPDU Guard on the interface, and the global command 'spanning-tree portfast bpduguard default' enables BPDU Guard globally on all PortFast-enabled ports, but it does not automatically recover an error-disabled port.
CCNA Switching and Network Access Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of switching and network access. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 access port, and then 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, and after an error-disable event, manually re-enable the interface using the 'shutdown' command followed by the 'no shutdown' command.
The correct order starts with global and interface configuration mode, then enabling PortFast, followed by BPDU Guard. After an error-disable event due to BPDU Guard, the proper manual recovery is to first issue the 'shutdown' command on the interface, then issue the 'no shutdown' command; simply using 'no shutdown' alone will not clear the errdisable state.
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, and after an error-disable event, manually re-enable the interface using the 'shutdown' command followed by the 'no shutdown' command.
Why this is correct
This sequence correctly follows the standard Cisco configuration steps: first enter global config, then interface config, enable PortFast (spanning-tree portfast), enable BPDU Guard (spanning-tree bpduguard enable), and after an error-disable event, recover by re-enabling the port with 'no shutdown'.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✓
Enter global configuration mode, enable BPDU Guard, enable PortFast, then after an error-disable event, automatically recover the port using the 'errdisable recovery cause bpduguard' command.
Why this is correct
This is incorrect because BPDU Guard should be enabled after PortFast on the interface, and automatic recovery is not the default recovery method; manual recovery with 'no shutdown' is the standard approach.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✓
Enter interface configuration mode directly, enable PortFast, enable BPDU Guard, and after an error-disable event, use the 'clear spanning-tree bpduguard' command to recover the port.
Why this is correct
This is incorrect because you must first enter global configuration mode before interface configuration mode, and the 'clear spanning-tree bpduguard' command does not recover an error-disabled port; it clears BPDU Guard statistics.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✓
Enter global configuration mode, then interface configuration mode, enable BPDU Guard, enable PortFast, and after an error-disable event, automatically recover by configuring 'spanning-tree portfast bpduguard default' globally.
Why this is correct
This is incorrect because PortFast must be enabled before BPDU Guard on the interface, and the global command 'spanning-tree portfast bpduguard default' enables BPDU Guard globally on all PortFast-enabled ports, but it does not automatically recover an error-disabled port.
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, and after an error-disable event, manually re-enable the interface using the 'shutdown' command followed by the 'no shutdown' command. — The correct order starts with global and interface configuration mode, then enabling PortFast, followed by BPDU Guard. After an error-disable event due to BPDU Guard, the proper manual recovery is to first issue the 'shutdown' command on the interface, then issue the 'no shutdown' command; simply using 'no shutdown' alone will not clear the errdisable state.
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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