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CCNA Practice Question: Which TWO switch port configurations are required…
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of 200-301 exam topics. 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 switch port configurations are required when connecting a Cisco IP phone and a desktop PC to a single access port?
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
✓
Use the 'switchport voice vlan' command to assign a dedicated voice VLAN.
When a Cisco IP phone and a desktop PC share a single switch access port, the port must be configured to carry both voice and data VLANs. The 'switchport voice vlan' command assigns a separate VLAN for voice traffic, while the access VLAN carries data traffic from the PC. Additionally, QoS trust must be enabled on the port to preserve the CoS markings applied by the phone, ensuring proper prioritization of voice packets.
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.
- ✗
Configure the port as a trunk and allow both VLANs.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because the port should remain an access port, not a trunk. Trunk ports are used for switch-to-switch or switch-to-router links, not for end devices like phones and PCs.
- ✓
Use the 'switchport voice vlan' command to assign a dedicated voice VLAN.
- ✗
Disable spanning tree on the port to prevent voice delays.
- ✓
Apply 'mls qos trust cos' on the interface to preserve voice packet markings.
Why this is correct
Cisco IP phones mark voice packets with CoS value 5. Trusting these markings on the access port ensures that the QoS policy in the network treats voice traffic with priority.
Related concept
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
- ✗
Configure the port as a routed port with an IP address for management.
Why it's wrong here
Routed ports are used for Layer 3 connectivity between routers or switches, not for connecting end devices like phones and PCs. This would break VLAN segmentation.
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.
✓Use the 'switchport voice vlan' command to assign a dedicated voice VLAN.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
This command separates voice traffic from data traffic by placing the phone in a specific VLAN, typically VLAN 10 or similar, while the PC remains in the native access VLAN.
✗Configure the port as a trunk and allow both VLANs.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Using a trunk port for a single device connection is unnecessary and violates standard access port design; it would also require the phone to support trunking, which is not the typical Cisco IP phone configuration.
✗Disable spanning tree on the port to prevent voice delays.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
STP does not introduce significant delays in normal operation, and disabling it risks broadcast storms and network loops.
✗Configure the port as a routed port with an IP address for management.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Access ports operate at Layer 2; converting to a routed port would prevent the phone and PC from communicating within their respective VLANs.
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.
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: Use the 'switchport voice vlan' command to assign a dedicated voice VLAN. — When a Cisco IP phone and a desktop PC share a single switch access port, the port must be configured to carry both voice and data VLANs. The 'switchport voice vlan' command assigns a separate VLAN for voice traffic, while the access VLAN carries data traffic from the PC. Additionally, QoS trust must be enabled on the port to preserve the CoS markings applied by the phone, ensuring proper prioritization of voice packets.
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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