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CCNA Switching and Network Access Practice Question
Drag and drop the following steps into the correct order to capture and analyze traffic on IOS-XE using the embedded packet capture feature, and in Wireshark to isolate a Layer 2 or Layer 3 fault.
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mistake is to forget the 'start the capture' step, making the exported file empty; always remember to issue 'monitor capture point start' after association.
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
✓
Access privileged EXEC mode, create a capture buffer, associate a capture point, start the capture, stop and export the capture, analyze in Wireshark
For IOS‑XE embedded packet capture, the correct order is: 1) Access privileged EXEC mode (required for all monitor commands), 2) Create a capture buffer, 3) Associate a capture point, 4) Start the capture, 5) Stop the capture, 6) Export the capture, 7) Analyze in Wireshark. Options B, C, and D each violate the required sequence: B starts buffer creation before entering privileged mode, C associates the point before creating the buffer, and D omits the critical 'start' step entirely.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Access privileged EXEC mode, create a capture buffer, associate a capture point, start the capture, stop and export the capture, analyze in Wireshark
Why this is correct
This order correctly follows the IOS-XE embedded packet capture workflow: first enter privileged EXEC mode, then create the capture buffer, associate a capture point, start the capture (which is a required step), stop and export the capture, and finally analyze in Wireshark.
- ✗
Create a capture buffer, access privileged EXEC mode, associate a capture point, start the capture, stop and export the capture, analyze in Wireshark
Why it's wrong here
The embedded packet capture commands are privileged EXEC commands, so you must first enter privileged EXEC mode with "enable" before issuing "monitor capture buffer". Creating a capture buffer in user EXEC mode is impossible because the command is not available at that privilege level. Additionally, exporting the capture (e.g., via TFTP or FTP) must occur before analyzing it in Wireshark; Wireshark reads a local file, so a capture that has not been exported from the device cannot be opened. Thus this ordering is invalid because both the initial and final steps are out of sequence.
- ✗
Access privileged EXEC mode, associate a capture point, create a capture buffer, start the capture, stop and export the capture, analyze in Wireshark
Why it's wrong here
The capture buffer is the memory location that holds packet data, and the capture point references this buffer by name. In the IOS-XE embedded packet capture workflow, you must create the buffer first because the "monitor capture point associate" command expects an existing buffer. Attempting to associate a capture point before creating a buffer will fail or default to an unnamed buffer, so no packets can be stored. Therefore, the sequence "associate a capture point, then create a capture buffer" violates the required dependency.
- ✗
Access privileged EXEC mode, create a capture buffer, associate a capture point, stop and export the capture, analyze in Wireshark
Why it's wrong here
This sequence incorrectly omits the "start the capture" step. Even after creating a buffer and associating a capture point, the capture remains passive; you must issue "monitor capture start" to actually begin collecting packets. Without this command, the buffer will remain empty, so when you stop and export the capture, you will export nothing useful. Stopping and exporting are necessary final steps, but they cannot produce a valid capture file unless the capture was explicitly started first.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The 200-301 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓Access privileged EXEC mode, create a capture buffer, associate a capture point, start the capture, stop and export the capture, analyze in WiresharkCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
This order correctly follows the IOS-XE embedded packet capture workflow: first enter privileged EXEC mode, then create the capture buffer, associate a capture point, start the capture (which is a required step), stop and export the capture, and finally analyze in Wireshark.
✗Create a capture buffer, access privileged EXEC mode, associate a capture point, start the capture, stop and export the capture, analyze in WiresharkWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The capture buffer must be created after entering privileged EXEC mode; attempting to create it before accessing the correct mode will fail.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think they can create a buffer without being in privileged mode, or that analysis can happen while capture is still running.
✗Access privileged EXEC mode, associate a capture point, create a capture buffer, start the capture, stop and export the capture, analyze in WiresharkWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The capture buffer must exist before the capture point is associated; associating a capture point to a non‑existent buffer is invalid.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think the capture point (interface) is defined first, then the buffer, but the buffer creation command comes first.
✗Access privileged EXEC mode, create a capture buffer, associate a capture point, stop and export the capture, analyze in WiresharkWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The step 'start the capture' is missing. After associating the capture point, you must start the capture before you can stop and export it.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think they can configure capture in user EXEC mode or that exporting can happen while capture is active.
Analysis generated from the official 200-301blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Interpreting Packet Capture Output for Layer 2/3 Troubleshooting
Key term
Wireshark
Wireshark is a free, open-source network protocol analyzer that captures and inspects data packets traveling over a computer network in real time.
Key term
Packet capture
Packet capture is the process of intercepting and recording data packets traveling over a computer network for analysis.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 200-301 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-301 exam.