- A
1. Enter global configuration mode. 2. Configure spanning-tree portfast default. 3. Enter interface configuration mode. 4. Configure spanning-tree bpduguard enable. 5. Exit to privileged EXEC mode. 6. Verify errdisable state. 7. Enter interface configuration mode. 8. Issue shutdown command. 9. Issue no shutdown command.
This sequence correctly follows the Cisco IOS-XE CLI steps: enabling PortFast globally, enabling BPDU Guard on the interface, and recovering from errdisable by re-enabling the interface with shutdown/no shutdown.
- B
1. Enter global configuration mode. 2. Configure spanning-tree portfast default. 3. Enter interface configuration mode. 4. Configure spanning-tree bpduguard enable. 5. Exit to privileged EXEC mode. 6. Issue clear spanning-tree bpduguard command. 7. Verify port is up.
This is incorrect because the 'clear spanning-tree bpduguard' command does not recover a port from errdisable state; it only clears the BPDU guard error counters. The correct recovery requires re-enabling the interface with shutdown/no shutdown.
- C
1. Enter global configuration mode. 2. Configure spanning-tree portfast default. 3. Enter interface configuration mode. 4. Configure spanning-tree portfast bpduguard default. 5. Exit to privileged EXEC mode. 6. Verify errdisable state. 7. Enter interface configuration mode. 8. Issue shutdown command. 9. Issue no shutdown command.
This is incorrect because 'spanning-tree portfast bpduguard default' is not a valid global command; BPDU Guard is enabled per interface with 'spanning-tree bpduguard enable' or globally with 'spanning-tree portfast bpduguard default' under interface configuration? Actually, the global command is 'spanning-tree portfast bpduguard default' but it applies to all PortFast-enabled interfaces. However, the step order is wrong: the global command should be used instead of per-interface, but the question expects per-interface configuration. Also, the command syntax is incorrect in the context.
- D
1. Enter global configuration mode. 2. Configure spanning-tree portfast default. 3. Enter interface configuration mode. 4. Configure spanning-tree bpduguard enable. 5. Exit to privileged EXEC mode. 6. Issue errdisable recovery cause bpduguard command. 7. Wait for timer. 8. Verify port is up.
This is incorrect because while 'errdisable recovery cause bpduguard' can automatically recover the port after a timer, the question asks for manual recovery steps. The manual recovery requires shutdown/no shutdown, not relying on automatic recovery.
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 using Cisco IOS-XE CLI commands.
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
1. Enter global configuration mode. 2. Configure spanning-tree portfast default. 3. Enter interface configuration mode. 4. Configure spanning-tree bpduguard enable. 5. Exit to privileged EXEC mode. 6. Verify errdisable state. 7. Enter interface configuration mode. 8. Issue shutdown command. 9. Issue no shutdown command.
The correct sequence (A) configures PortFast globally, then enables BPDU Guard per interface, and recovers manually with shutdown/no shutdown. Option B attempts recovery with a non-existent 'clear spanning-tree bpduguard' command. Option C incorrectly uses 'spanning-tree portfast bpduguard default' which is a global command applied in interface mode, causing a syntax error. Option D uses 'errdisable recovery cause bpduguard' in privileged EXEC mode, but this command is a global configuration command and does not manually recover the port; it enables automatic recovery after a timer.
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.
- ✓
1. Enter global configuration mode. 2. Configure spanning-tree portfast default. 3. Enter interface configuration mode. 4. Configure spanning-tree bpduguard enable. 5. Exit to privileged EXEC mode. 6. Verify errdisable state. 7. Enter interface configuration mode. 8. Issue shutdown command. 9. Issue no shutdown command.
Why this is correct
This sequence correctly follows the Cisco IOS-XE CLI steps: enabling PortFast globally, enabling BPDU Guard on the interface, and recovering from errdisable by re-enabling the interface with shutdown/no shutdown.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✓
1. Enter global configuration mode. 2. Configure spanning-tree portfast default. 3. Enter interface configuration mode. 4. Configure spanning-tree bpduguard enable. 5. Exit to privileged EXEC mode. 6. Issue clear spanning-tree bpduguard command. 7. Verify port is up.
Why this is correct
This is incorrect because the 'clear spanning-tree bpduguard' command does not recover a port from errdisable state; it only clears the BPDU guard error counters. The correct recovery requires re-enabling the interface with shutdown/no shutdown.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✓
1. Enter global configuration mode. 2. Configure spanning-tree portfast default. 3. Enter interface configuration mode. 4. Configure spanning-tree portfast bpduguard default. 5. Exit to privileged EXEC mode. 6. Verify errdisable state. 7. Enter interface configuration mode. 8. Issue shutdown command. 9. Issue no shutdown command.
Why this is correct
This is incorrect because 'spanning-tree portfast bpduguard default' is not a valid global command; BPDU Guard is enabled per interface with 'spanning-tree bpduguard enable' or globally with 'spanning-tree portfast bpduguard default' under interface configuration? Actually, the global command is 'spanning-tree portfast bpduguard default' but it applies to all PortFast-enabled interfaces. However, the step order is wrong: the global command should be used instead of per-interface, but the question expects per-interface configuration. Also, the command syntax is incorrect in the context.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✓
1. Enter global configuration mode. 2. Configure spanning-tree portfast default. 3. Enter interface configuration mode. 4. Configure spanning-tree bpduguard enable. 5. Exit to privileged EXEC mode. 6. Issue errdisable recovery cause bpduguard command. 7. Wait for timer. 8. Verify port is up.
Why this is correct
This is incorrect because while 'errdisable recovery cause bpduguard' can automatically recover the port after a timer, the question asks for manual recovery steps. The manual recovery requires shutdown/no shutdown, not relying on automatic recovery.
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 junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
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: 1. Enter global configuration mode. 2. Configure spanning-tree portfast default. 3. Enter interface configuration mode. 4. Configure spanning-tree bpduguard enable. 5. Exit to privileged EXEC mode. 6. Verify errdisable state. 7. Enter interface configuration mode. 8. Issue shutdown command. 9. Issue no shutdown command. — The correct sequence (A) configures PortFast globally, then enables BPDU Guard per interface, and recovers manually with shutdown/no shutdown. Option B attempts recovery with a non-existent 'clear spanning-tree bpduguard' command. Option C incorrectly uses 'spanning-tree portfast bpduguard default' which is a global command applied in interface mode, causing a syntax error. Option D uses 'errdisable recovery cause bpduguard' in privileged EXEC mode, but this command is a global configuration command and does not manually recover the port; it enables automatic recovery after a timer.
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.
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Last reviewed: Jun 6, 2026
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