CCNA Switching and Network Access Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of switching and network access. 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.
Network Topology
You are connected to a Multilayer Switch MLS1. Configure the switch so that interface GigabitEthernet1/0/1 is an access port for VLAN 10, with voice VLAN 110 for an IP phone, and enable PoE. Additionally, interface GigabitEthernet1/0/2 must be an access port for VLAN 20 to connect an AP. Verify the configuration using 'show interfaces switchport' and 'show power inline'.
Current running-config (partial):
!
hostname MLS1
!
vlan 10
name DATA
!
vlan 20
name AP
!
vlan 110
name VOICE
!
interface GigabitEthernet1/0/1
description IP Phone Port
!
interface GigabitEthernet1/0/2
description AP Port
!
interface Vlan1
ip address 192.168.1.1 255.255.255.0
no shutdown
!
line con 0
logging synchronous
exit
This configuration correctly sets Gi1/0/1 as an access port in VLAN 10, assigns voice VLAN 110, and enables PoE (auto is default). Gi1/0/2 is correctly set as an access port in VLAN 20. The 'show interfaces switchport' and 'show power inline' commands will verify these settings.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because Gi1/0/1 is configured as a trunk port instead of an access port. While a trunk can carry multiple VLANs, the requirement is for an access port with a voice VLAN. The 'switchport mode trunk' command changes the port to trunk mode, which is not desired.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because 'power inline never' disables PoE on Gi1/0/1, preventing the IP phone from receiving power. The requirement explicitly states to enable PoE. The correct command is 'power inline auto' (or no command, as auto is default).
Why wrong: This is incorrect because the access VLAN and voice VLAN are swapped. The access VLAN should be 10 (data) and the voice VLAN should be 110 (voice). This misconfiguration would place the IP phone's data traffic in VLAN 110 and voice traffic in VLAN 10, which is not the requirement.
Option A is correct. It configures Gi1/0/1 as an access port in VLAN 10 with voice VLAN 110 and PoE enabled, and Gi1/0/2 as an access port in VLAN 20. Option B is wrong because it uses 'switchport mode trunk' instead of 'switchport mode access'. For a voice VLAN, the port should be an access port, not a trunk. Option C is wrong because it disables PoE with 'power inline never', but the IP phone requires power. Option D is wrong because it assigns the access VLAN as 110 and voice VLAN as 10, reversing the intended roles. Verify with 'show interfaces switchport' and 'show power inline'.
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.
This configuration correctly sets Gi1/0/1 as an access port in VLAN 10, assigns voice VLAN 110, and enables PoE (auto is default). Gi1/0/2 is correctly set as an access port in VLAN 20. The 'show interfaces switchport' and 'show power inline' commands will verify these settings.
Related concept
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
This is incorrect because Gi1/0/1 is configured as a trunk port instead of an access port. While a trunk can carry multiple VLANs, the requirement is for an access port with a voice VLAN. The 'switchport mode trunk' command changes the port to trunk mode, which is not desired.
This is incorrect because 'power inline never' disables PoE on Gi1/0/1, preventing the IP phone from receiving power. The requirement explicitly states to enable PoE. The correct command is 'power inline auto' (or no command, as auto is default).
This is incorrect because the access VLAN and voice VLAN are swapped. The access VLAN should be 10 (data) and the voice VLAN should be 110 (voice). This misconfiguration would place the IP phone's data traffic in VLAN 110 and voice traffic in VLAN 10, which is not the requirement.
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.
This configuration correctly sets Gi1/0/1 as an access port in VLAN 10, assigns voice VLAN 110, and enables PoE (auto is default). Gi1/0/2 is correctly set as an access port in VLAN 20. The 'show interfaces switchport' and 'show power inline' commands will verify these settings.
✗interface GigabitEthernet1/0/1
switchport mode trunk
switchport trunk allowed vlan 10,110
power inline auto
interface GigabitEthernet1/0/2
switchport mode access
switchport access vlan 20Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error is using 'switchport mode trunk' instead of 'switchport mode access'. Access ports are used for end devices like IP phones and APs, not trunks.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think a trunk is needed to carry both data (VLAN 10) and voice (VLAN 110), but Cisco's voice VLAN feature uses an access port with a separate voice VLAN.
✗interface GigabitEthernet1/0/1
switchport mode access
switchport access vlan 10
switchport voice vlan 110
power inline never
interface GigabitEthernet1/0/2
switchport mode access
switchport access vlan 20Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error is using 'power inline never' which disables PoE. The correct command to enable PoE is 'power inline auto'.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might confuse 'never' with 'auto' or think that PoE is enabled by default and no command is needed, but explicitly disabling it is wrong.
✗interface GigabitEthernet1/0/1
switchport mode access
switchport access vlan 110
switchport voice vlan 10
power inline auto
interface GigabitEthernet1/0/2
switchport mode access
switchport access vlan 20Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error is reversing the VLAN assignments: 'switchport access vlan 110' and 'switchport voice vlan 10' instead of the correct order.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might confuse which VLAN is for data and which is for voice, especially if they are not familiar with the typical voice VLAN configuration.
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
This is incorrect because Gi1/0/1 is configured as a trunk port instead of an access port. While a trunk can carry multiple VLANs, the requirement is for an access port with a voice VLAN. The 'switchport mode trunk' command changes the port to trunk mode, which is not desired.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 200-301 question in full detail.
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.
Switching and Network Access — This question tests Switching and Network Access — Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: interface GigabitEthernet1/0/1
switchport mode access
switchport access vlan 10
switchport voice vlan 110
power inline auto
interface GigabitEthernet1/0/2
switchport mode access
switchport access vlan 20 — Option A is correct. It configures Gi1/0/1 as an access port in VLAN 10 with voice VLAN 110 and PoE enabled, and Gi1/0/2 as an access port in VLAN 20. Option B is wrong because it uses 'switchport mode trunk' instead of 'switchport mode access'. For a voice VLAN, the port should be an access port, not a trunk. Option C is wrong because it disables PoE with 'power inline never', but the IP phone requires power. Option D is wrong because it assigns the access VLAN as 110 and voice VLAN as 10, reversing the intended roles. Verify with 'show interfaces switchport' and 'show power inline'.
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.
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 →
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.
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.
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.
Sign in to join the discussion.