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Question 422 of 1,052
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CCNA Practice Question: Which TWO interface issues can be identified by…
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of 200-301 exam topics. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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.
Which TWO interface issues can be identified by analyzing the output of the 'show interfaces' command?
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
✓
Duplex mismatch
The 'show interfaces' command provides detailed information about interface status, errors, and configuration. A duplex mismatch is indicated by an excessive number of late collisions or CRC errors on one side, while a speed mismatch often leads to no connectivity or interface down/down. Other options like routing protocol issues or VLAN mismatches are not directly visible in the standard 'show interfaces' output.
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.
- ✓
Duplex mismatch
Why this is correct
The 'show interfaces' output shows late collisions, CRC errors, or input errors that are often caused by a duplex mismatch between two connected devices.
Related concept
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
- ✗
Routing protocol misconfiguration
Why it's wrong here
Routing protocol issues are not visible in 'show interfaces'; they require commands like 'show ip route' or 'show ip protocols'.
- ✓
Speed mismatch
Why this is correct
A speed mismatch typically causes the interface to be down/down or up/down with no connectivity, which is clearly indicated in the 'show interfaces' output.
Related concept
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
- ✗
VLAN mismatch
- ✗
STP topology change
Why it's wrong here
STP topology changes are not directly visible in 'show interfaces'; they are monitored using 'show spanning-tree' or 'debug spanning-tree events'.
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.
✓Duplex mismatchCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
The 'show interfaces' output shows late collisions, CRC errors, or input errors that are often caused by a duplex mismatch between two connected devices.
✗Routing protocol misconfigurationWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Routing misconfigurations affect the routing table, not the physical interface status or errors.
✗VLAN mismatchWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
VLAN mismatches affect connectivity but are not reflected in interface error counters or status fields.
✗STP topology changeWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
STP events are control-plane activities that do not generate interface errors or status changes in 'show interfaces'.
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
Routing protocol issues are not visible in 'show interfaces'; they require commands like 'show ip route' or 'show ip protocols'.
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.
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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: Duplex mismatch — The 'show interfaces' command provides detailed information about interface status, errors, and configuration. A duplex mismatch is indicated by an excessive number of late collisions or CRC errors on one side, while a speed mismatch often leads to no connectivity or interface down/down. Other options like routing protocol issues or VLAN mismatches are not directly visible in the standard 'show interfaces' output.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
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