Question 1hardmultiple choice
Full question →- → Why each wrong option is wrong in this specific scenario
- → When each wrong option would be correct
- → Real-world analogy and exam trap analysis
- → Related glossary terms and similar practice questions
Question 264 of 1,052
hardmultiple choiceObjective-mapped
CCNA Practice Question: A network administrator is troubleshooting a…
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of 200-301 exam topics. 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.
Exhibit
RouterA# show ip route
Codes: L - local, C - connected, S - static, R - RIP, M - mobile, B - BGP
D - EIGRP, EX - EIGRP external, O - OSPF, IA - OSPF inter area
N1 - OSPF NSSA external type 1, N2 - OSPF NSSA external type 2
E1 - OSPF external type 1, E2 - OSPF external type 2
i - IS-IS, su - IS-IS summary, L1 - IS-IS level-1, L2 - IS-IS level-2
ia - IS-IS inter area, * - candidate default, U - per-user static route
o - ODR, P - periodic downloaded static route, H - NHRP, l - LISP
a - application route
+ - replicated route, % - next hop override, p - overrides from PfR
Gateway of last resort is 10.10.10.2 to network 0.0.0.0
S* 0.0.0.0/0 [1/0] via 10.10.10.2, GigabitEthernet0/0
10.0.0.0/8 is variably subnetted, 3 subnets, 2 masks
C 10.10.10.0/30 is directly connected, GigabitEthernet0/0
L 10.10.10.1/32 is directly connected, GigabitEthernet0/0
S 10.10.20.0/24 [1/0] via 10.10.10.2, GigabitEthernet0/0
192.168.10.0/24 is variably subnetted, 2 subnets, 2 masks
C 192.168.10.0/24 is directly connected, Vlan10
L 192.168.10.1/32 is directly connected, Vlan10A network administrator is troubleshooting a connectivity issue between two remote sites connected via a WAN link. Hosts on VLAN 10 at Site A (192.168.10.0/24) cannot ping the server at Site B (10.10.20.100). The router at Site A has a default route pointing to the WAN interface, but traffic is not reaching the destination. The administrator checks the routing table on Router A. What is the most likely cause of the problem?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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
✓
The next-hop router 10.10.10.2 is unreachable.
The routing table shows a static route for 10.10.20.0/24 with a next hop of 10.10.10.2, which is correct for reaching the server at 10.10.20.100. However, the default route (0.0.0.0/0) also points to the same next hop. The problem is likely that the next-hop address 10.10.10.2 is unreachable due to a Layer 2 issue on the WAN link, or the upstream router is not forwarding traffic correctly. Since the gateway of last resort is present and the specific route exists, the issue is not a missing route but rather a connectivity problem beyond the local router. Option D correctly identifies that the next-hop router is unreachable, which would cause the router to drop packets. Option A is incorrect because the route exists. Option B is incorrect because the interface is up (GigabitEthernet0/0 is shown as directly connected). Option C is incorrect because the default route is present.
Key principle: A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The static route for 10.10.20.0/24 is missing from the routing table.
Why it's wrong here
The exhibit shows that a static route to 10.10.20.0/24 via 10.10.10.2 is present in the routing table.
- ✗
The GigabitEthernet0/0 interface is administratively down.
Why it's wrong here
The interface is shown as directly connected with a local address, indicating it is up and operational.
- ✗
The default route is not configured; the gateway of last resort is missing.
Why it's wrong here
The output shows 'Gateway of last resort is 10.10.10.2 to network 0.0.0.0', meaning the default route is present.
- ✓
The next-hop router 10.10.10.2 is unreachable.
Why this is correct
The next-hop address 10.10.10.2 is the gateway for both the default and the specific route. If it is unreachable, the router cannot forward packets to the server.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
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.
✓The next-hop router 10.10.10.2 is unreachable.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
The next-hop address 10.10.10.2 is the gateway for both the default and the specific route. If it is unreachable, the router cannot forward packets to the server.
✗The static route for 10.10.20.0/24 is missing from the routing table.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This option is incorrect because the route is clearly listed in the output.
✗The GigabitEthernet0/0 interface is administratively down.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The interface must be up for the directly connected route to appear.
✗The default route is not configured; the gateway of last resort is missing.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The default route is configured and listed as S* in the routing table.
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?”
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: an active trunk can still block the VLAN you need
A trunk being up does not prove every VLAN is crossing it. Check allowed VLAN lists, native VLAN mismatch, VLAN existence and access-port assignment.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The exhibit shows that a static route to 10.10.20.0/24 via 10.10.10.2 is present in the routing table.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
VLAN questions usually combine access-port and trunking clues. The key is to identify whether the issue is local to one switchport, caused by the trunk, or caused by the VLAN not existing where it needs to exist.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
- Trunk ports carry multiple VLANs between switches.
- Allowed VLAN lists decide which VLANs can cross a trunk.
- Native VLAN mismatch can create confusing symptoms.
TExam Day Tips
- Use show vlan brief to verify access VLANs.
- Use show interfaces trunk to verify trunk state and allowed VLANs.
- Do not treat every same-VLAN issue as a routing problem.
Key takeaway
A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A help-desk technician troubleshoots why a newly connected PC cannot reach shared printers on the same floor. The cable is good, the switch port is active, but the PC is in VLAN 20 and the printers are in VLAN 10. The uplink trunk only allows VLAN 10. A trunk being up does not mean every VLAN crosses it.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related 200-301 questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
Related practice questions
Related 200-301 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
CCNA subnetting practice questions
Practise IPv4 subnetting, CIDR, masks, host ranges and subnet selection.
CCNA OSPF practice questions
Practise OSPF neighbours, router IDs, metrics, areas and routing-table interpretation.
CCNA VLAN practice questions
Practise VLANs, access ports, trunks, allowed VLANs and switching scenarios.
CCNA STP practice questions
Practise spanning tree, root bridge election, port roles and STP troubleshooting.
CCNA EtherChannel practice questions
Practise LACP, PAgP, port-channel behaviour and bundle requirements.
CCNA ACL practice questions
Practise standard and extended ACLs, permit/deny logic and traffic filtering.
CCNA NAT practice questions
Practise static NAT, dynamic NAT, PAT and inside/outside address translation.
CCNA DHCP practice questions
Practise DHCP scopes, relay, leases and troubleshooting.
CCNA show ip route practice questions
Practise routing-table output, longest-prefix match, AD and route selection.
CCNA show interfaces trunk practice questions
Practise trunk verification and VLAN forwarding across switches.
CCNA wireless security practice questions
Practise WLAN security, authentication and wireless architecture concepts.
CCNA IPv6 practice questions
Practise IPv6 addressing, routes, neighbour discovery and common IPv6 exam traps.
Practice this exam
Start a free 200-301 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The next-hop router 10.10.10.2 is unreachable. — The routing table shows a static route for 10.10.20.0/24 with a next hop of 10.10.10.2, which is correct for reaching the server at 10.10.20.100. However, the default route (0.0.0.0/0) also points to the same next hop. The problem is likely that the next-hop address 10.10.10.2 is unreachable due to a Layer 2 issue on the WAN link, or the upstream router is not forwarding traffic correctly. Since the gateway of last resort is present and the specific route exists, the issue is not a missing route but rather a connectivity problem beyond the local router. Option D correctly identifies that the next-hop router is unreachable, which would cause the router to drop packets. Option A is incorrect because the route exists. Option B is incorrect because the interface is up (GigabitEthernet0/0 is shown as directly connected). Option C is incorrect because the default route is present.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related 200-301 questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Keep practising
More 200-301 practice questions
- A router interface applies this ACL inbound: 10 deny tcp any any eq 80 20 permit ip any any A user reports that w…
- A switch has DHCP snooping enabled, but users still experience IP-to-MAC spoofing attacks. Which additional feature shou…
- Switch SW1 sends traffic for VLAN 30 across a trunk to SW2, but hosts in VLAN 30 on SW2 cannot communicate with hosts in…
- What problem is HSRP designed to solve?
- Which DHCP message does the client send to formally accept an offered address?
- What metric does RIP use to choose the best path?
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Loading comments…
Sign in to join the discussion.
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.