- A
Trusted
A trusted port is configured using 'ip dhcp snooping trust' and is allowed to forward all DHCP messages, including server responses. This is typically applied to ports connecting to DHCP servers or upstream relay agents.
- B
Untrusted
Untrusted is the default trust state for all ports. These ports are only allowed to forward DHCP client messages (e.g., DISCOVER, REQUEST) and will drop any DHCP server messages (e.g., OFFER, ACK) received on them. This prevents rogue DHCP servers from offering IP addresses.
- C
Secure
Why wrong: There is no 'secure' trust state in DHCP snooping. The only two trust states are trusted and untrusted.
- D
Authorized
Why wrong: DHCP snooping does not have an 'authorized' trust state. Authorization is a concept used in other security features like 802.1X, not in DHCP snooping.
- E
Relay
Why wrong: There is no 'relay' trust state in DHCP snooping. DHCP relay is a separate function configured with 'ip helper-address' on a router interface, not a trust state on a switch port.
CCNA Network Services and Security Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of network services and security. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 DHCP snooping trust states are valid on a Cisco switch? (Choose two.)
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
Trusted
DHCP snooping is a security feature that filters untrusted DHCP messages on a switch. The only two valid trust states are 'trusted' and 'untrusted'. A trusted port is typically an uplink to a legitimate DHCP server, while an untrusted port is a downstream port where DHCP client messages are expected and server-originated messages are blocked.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Trusted
Why this is correct
A trusted port is configured using 'ip dhcp snooping trust' and is allowed to forward all DHCP messages, including server responses. This is typically applied to ports connecting to DHCP servers or upstream relay agents.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Untrusted
Why this is correct
Untrusted is the default trust state for all ports. These ports are only allowed to forward DHCP client messages (e.g., DISCOVER, REQUEST) and will drop any DHCP server messages (e.g., OFFER, ACK) received on them. This prevents rogue DHCP servers from offering IP addresses.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Secure
Why it's wrong here
There is no 'secure' trust state in DHCP snooping. The only two trust states are trusted and untrusted.
- ✗
Authorized
Why it's wrong here
DHCP snooping does not have an 'authorized' trust state. Authorization is a concept used in other security features like 802.1X, not in DHCP snooping.
- ✗
Relay
Why it's wrong here
There is no 'relay' trust state in DHCP snooping. DHCP relay is a separate function configured with 'ip helper-address' on a router interface, not a trust state on a switch port.
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.
✓TrustedCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
A trusted port is configured using 'ip dhcp snooping trust' and is allowed to forward all DHCP messages, including server responses. This is typically applied to ports connecting to DHCP servers or upstream relay agents.
✗SecureWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This is a distractor term that does not exist in the DHCP snooping configuration. The correct states are trusted and untrusted.
✗AuthorizedWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This term is borrowed from other security contexts and is not applicable to DHCP snooping trust states.
✗RelayWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This confuses the DHCP relay agent feature with DHCP snooping trust states. They are different mechanisms.
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: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the exact terminology of DHCP snooping trust states, and the trap here is that candidates confuse 'trusted' and 'untrusted' with other security terms like 'secure' or 'authorized' from different features (e.g., port security or 802.1X).
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
DHCP snooping builds a DHCP snooping binding table by monitoring DHCPACK messages on trusted ports. On untrusted ports, the switch drops DHCP server messages (OFFER, ACK, NAK) unless the port is configured as trusted. This prevents rogue DHCP server attacks. The trust state is configured per interface using the 'ip dhcp snooping trust' command.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
Network Services and Security — This question tests Network Services and Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Trusted — DHCP snooping is a security feature that filters untrusted DHCP messages on a switch. The only two valid trust states are 'trusted' and 'untrusted'. A trusted port is typically an uplink to a legitimate DHCP server, while an untrusted port is a downstream port where DHCP client messages are expected and server-originated messages are blocked.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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.
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