CCNA Switching and Network Access Practice Question
Exhibit
SW1#show running-config | section interface
interface GigabitEthernet0/1
switchport mode access
switchport access vlan 10
spanning-tree portfast
!
interface GigabitEthernet0/2
switchport mode access
switchport access vlan 30
spanning-tree portfast
!
interface GigabitEthernet0/3
switchport mode trunk
!
...
SW1#show interfaces switchport
Name: Gi0/1
Switchport: Enabled
Administrative Mode: static access
Operational Mode: static access
Administrative Trunking Encapsulation: negotiate
Operational Trunking Encapsulation: native
Negotiation of Trunking: On
Access Mode VLAN: 10 (VLAN0010)
Trunking Native Mode VLAN: 1 (default)
Administrative Native VLAN tagging: enabled
Voice VLAN: none
...
SW1#show power inline
Module Available Used Remaining
(Watts) (Watts) (Watts)
--------- --------- --------- ---------
1 370 0 370
Interface Admin Oper Power Device Class Max
(Watts)
--------- ------ ---------- ------- ------------------- ----- ---
Gi0/1 auto off 0.0 n/a n/a 30.0
Gi0/2 auto off 0.0 n/a n/a 30.0You are connected to a single switch, SW1, which is a Cisco Catalyst 2960 running Cisco IOS. Configure port GigabitEthernet0/1 as an access port for a Cisco IP phone and a PC on the same VLAN (Voice VLAN 20, Data VLAN 10). The switch must provide PoE to the phone. Additionally, configure GigabitEthernet0/2 as an access port for a wireless access point (AP) that requires PoE. Verify both configurations using the appropriate show commands. The current running-config is incomplete; you must add the necessary commands.
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse the need for a trunk port when multiple VLANs are involved, but the voice VLAN feature allows an access port to carry both data and voice traffic. Also, remember that 'power inline auto' is the default but may need to be explicitly configured if disabled. Always verify with 'show interfaces switchport' to see the voice VLAN and 'show power inline' to see PoE status.
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
✓
interface GigabitEthernet0/1 switchport mode access switchport access vlan 10 switchport voice vlan 20 power inline auto interface GigabitEthernet0/2 switchport mode access switchport access vlan 10 power inline auto
The configuration was missing the voice VLAN assignment on Gi0/1 and PoE settings on both ports. For Gi0/1, the command 'switchport voice vlan 20' is required to separate voice traffic from data traffic. For both Gi0/1 and Gi0/2, PoE must be enabled; by default 'power inline auto' is set, but since the ports show 'off', they may have been disabled. The solution ensures PoE is enabled with 'power inline auto' and sets the voice VLAN correctly. Verification with 'show interfaces switchport' should show 'Voice VLAN: 20' and 'show power inline' should show 'auto' for both ports.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
interface GigabitEthernet0/1 switchport mode access switchport access vlan 10 switchport voice vlan 20 power inline auto interface GigabitEthernet0/2 switchport mode access switchport access vlan 10 power inline auto
Why this is correct
This configuration correctly sets Gi0/1 as an access port with data VLAN 10 and voice VLAN 20, and enables PoE with 'power inline auto' on both ports. The voice VLAN command separates voice traffic from data traffic, and PoE is explicitly enabled to power the IP phone and AP.
- ✗
interface GigabitEthernet0/1 switchport mode trunk switchport trunk allowed vlan 10,20 power inline auto interface GigabitEthernet0/2 switchport mode access switchport access vlan 10 power inline auto
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because Gi0/1 is configured as a trunk port, which is not appropriate for a single IP phone and PC. Access ports with voice VLAN are used for this scenario, not trunk ports.
- ✗
interface GigabitEthernet0/1 switchport mode access switchport access vlan 10 switchport voice vlan 20 power inline never interface GigabitEthernet0/2 switchport mode access switchport access vlan 10 power inline auto
Why it's wrong here
Configuring 'power inline never' on GigabitEthernet0/1 disables Power over Ethernet on that port, which prevents the IP phone from receiving the 48V DC power it needs to operate. Even though the access VLAN and voice VLAN values are correct, and Gi0/2 has power inline auto for the AP, the phone on Gi0/1 will fail to power on. To support the phone, the port must explicitly enable PoE with 'power inline auto' (or in some environments, 'power inline static' or 'power inline negotiated'), not disable it.
- ✗
interface GigabitEthernet0/1 switchport mode access switchport access vlan 20 switchport voice vlan 10 power inline auto interface GigabitEthernet0/2 switchport mode access switchport access vlan 10 power inline auto
Why it's wrong here
This configuration incorrectly assigns VLAN 20 as the data VLAN and VLAN 10 as the voice VLAN on Gi0/1. The phone's voice traffic will be placed on VLAN 10, which is the same VLAN designated for the PC and other data devices, defeating the separation purpose of a voice VLAN. Additionally, the switch will use CDP to tell the phone to tag voice frames with VLAN 10, while the access VLAN 20 remains untagged for the PC — a complete reversal of the required design. The correct setup is access VLAN 10 for data and voice VLAN 20 for phone traffic.
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.
✓interface GigabitEthernet0/1 switchport mode access switchport access vlan 10 switchport voice vlan 20 power inline auto interface GigabitEthernet0/2 switchport mode access switchport access vlan 10 power inline autoCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
This configuration correctly sets Gi0/1 as an access port with data VLAN 10 and voice VLAN 20, and enables PoE with 'power inline auto' on both ports. The voice VLAN command separates voice traffic from data traffic, and PoE is explicitly enabled to power the IP phone and AP.
✗interface GigabitEthernet0/1 switchport mode trunk switchport trunk allowed vlan 10,20 power inline auto interface GigabitEthernet0/2 switchport mode access switchport access vlan 10 power inline autoWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error is that trunk ports are used to carry multiple VLANs between switches, not for connecting end devices like phones and PCs. The correct method is to use an access port with a voice VLAN.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think that because two VLANs are needed (voice and data), a trunk port is required. However, Cisco's voice VLAN feature allows both VLANs on an access port.
✗interface GigabitEthernet0/1 switchport mode access switchport access vlan 10 switchport voice vlan 20 power inline never interface GigabitEthernet0/2 switchport mode access switchport access vlan 10 power inline autoWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error is that 'power inline never' explicitly disables PoE, which would prevent the phone from powering on. The correct command is 'power inline auto' to enable PoE detection and delivery.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might confuse 'never' with 'auto' or think that PoE is enabled by default and doesn't need configuration. However, if the port shows 'off', it must be explicitly set to 'auto'.
✗interface GigabitEthernet0/1 switchport mode access switchport access vlan 20 switchport voice vlan 10 power inline auto interface GigabitEthernet0/2 switchport mode access switchport access vlan 10 power inline autoWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error is that the VLAN numbers are reversed. The access VLAN should be the data VLAN (10), and the voice VLAN should be 20. Swapping them would place data traffic in VLAN 20 and voice in VLAN 10, which is not the intended configuration.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might misread the question or confuse which VLAN is for voice and which for data. The question clearly states 'Voice VLAN 20, Data VLAN 10'.
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
Configuring Switch Ports for Desktops, VoIP Phones, APs, IoT, and Virtualized Hosts
Key term
VLAN
A VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) is a logical grouping of network devices that behave as if they are on the same physical network segment, regardless of their actual physical location.
Key term
AP
An AP (Access Point) bridges wireless clients to a wired network, acting as a central transceiver and controller for Wi-Fi communications.
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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.