CCNA AI and Network Operations Practice Question
Network Topology
You are connected to R1, a branch router connected to a central NTP server at 203.0.113.10 and a syslog server at 198.51.100.20. Configure R1 as an NTP client using its Loopback0 interface (192.168.1.1/32) as the source, and ensure syslog messages of severity 'informational' and above are sent to the syslog server. Currently, R1 shows 'Clock is unsynchronized, stratum 16'. Identify and fix the NTP issue, then apply the syslog configuration.
⚠ Common exam trap
Trap: Candidates may confuse the 'ntp server' command syntax with the global 'ntp source' command, or assume the default syslog trap level already includes informational messages. Remember: NTP source is set globally, and syslog trap levels must be explicitly configured to match the required severity.
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
✓
Configure 'ntp source Loopback0' and 'logging trap informational'.
The NTP client was configured but the source interface was not specified, causing the router to use a default source that may not be reachable. Additionally, the syslog trap level was set to 'warnings' (severity 4), which filters out informational (severity 6) messages. To fix: configure 'ntp source Loopback0' to use a consistent source IP, and change 'logging trap informational' to allow all messages severity 6 and above.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Configure 'ntp source Loopback0' and 'logging trap informational'.
Why this is correct
This is correct because the NTP source interface must be specified to ensure the router uses a consistent, reachable source IP (Loopback0) for NTP packets. Additionally, 'logging trap informational' sets the syslog severity to 6, allowing messages of severity 6 (informational) and above (0-6) to be sent to the syslog server.
- ✗
Configure 'ntp server 203.0.113.10 source Loopback0' and 'logging trap warnings'.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because the 'ntp server' command does not support the 'source' keyword; the source interface is configured globally with 'ntp source'. Also, 'logging trap warnings' sets severity to 4, which filters out informational (severity 6) messages.
- ✗
Configure 'ntp source Loopback0' and 'logging trap debugging'.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because 'logging trap debugging' sets severity to 7, which includes all messages (0-7). While this would include informational messages, it is overly broad and not the standard recommended level for informational and above; 'informational' (severity 6) is the correct trap level.
- ✗
Configure 'ntp source Loopback0' and 'logging host 198.51.100.20' without changing the trap level.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because while the NTP source is correctly set, the syslog trap level is not changed. By default, the trap level is 'informational' (severity 6) on some IOS versions, but often it is 'warnings' (severity 4) or lower. The question implies the current configuration filters out informational messages, so the trap level must be explicitly set to 'informational'.
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.
✓Configure 'ntp source Loopback0' and 'logging trap informational'.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
This is correct because the NTP source interface must be specified to ensure the router uses a consistent, reachable source IP (Loopback0) for NTP packets. Additionally, 'logging trap informational' sets the syslog severity to 6, allowing messages of severity 6 (informational) and above (0-6) to be sent to the syslog server.
✗Configure 'ntp server 203.0.113.10 source Loopback0' and 'logging trap warnings'.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error: The 'ntp server' command does not have a 'source' parameter; source is set globally. Also, 'logging trap warnings' does not meet the requirement to send informational messages.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think the source can be specified per NTP server command, and may confuse 'warnings' as a higher severity that includes informational, but it actually excludes it.
✗Configure 'ntp source Loopback0' and 'logging trap debugging'.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error: 'logging trap debugging' sends all messages, including debugging (severity 7), which is unnecessary and can cause excessive log traffic. The requirement is for informational and above, which is severity 6, not 7.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think 'debugging' is the highest level and therefore includes everything, but the correct level for informational and above is 'informational' (severity 6).
✗Configure 'ntp source Loopback0' and 'logging host 198.51.100.20' without changing the trap level.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error: The default trap level may not be 'informational'; it is often 'warnings' or 'debugging' depending on the IOS version. The requirement to send informational messages necessitates explicit configuration of 'logging trap informational'.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might assume the default trap level already includes informational messages, but in many IOS versions the default is 'warnings' (severity 4), which excludes informational (severity 6).
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?”
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Related to this question
Learn chapter
Interpreting Syslog Messages, Severity Levels, and Facilities
Key term
Interface
An interface is a point of connection or interaction between two systems, devices, or software components that allows them to exchange information or signals.
Key term
Network Time Protocol
Network Time Protocol (NTP) is a networking protocol that synchronizes the clocks of computers and devices over a network to a common reference time source, typically Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
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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.