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Question 792 of 1,052
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CCNA Practice Question: Which TWO statements correctly describe the…
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 statements correctly describe the behavior of Rapid PVST+ in a Layer 2 network?
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
✓
Rapid PVST+ runs a separate instance of RSTP for each VLAN.
Rapid PVST+ is a per-VLAN implementation of RSTP (802.1w) that provides faster convergence than traditional STP. It uses proposal/agreement handshakes to transition ports to forwarding state quickly, and it supports PortFast and BPDU Guard features for edge ports. Option A is correct because Rapid PVST+ runs a separate RSTP instance per VLAN, allowing per-VLAN root bridges and load balancing. Option D is correct because PortFast enables immediate transition to forwarding for edge ports, and BPDU Guard disables the port if a BPDU is received, protecting against accidental loops. Option B is incorrect because Rapid PVST+ uses RSTP, not PVST+. Option C is incorrect because Rapid PVST+ uses 802.1w, not 802.1D. Option E is incorrect because Rapid PVST+ does not use the 802.1Q trunking protocol itself; it operates on top of any trunking method, and it does not inherently reduce the number of STP instances—it maintains per-VLAN instances.
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.
- ✓
Rapid PVST+ runs a separate instance of RSTP for each VLAN.
Why this is correct
Rapid PVST+ is a per-VLAN implementation of RSTP (802.1w). Each VLAN runs its own RSTP instance, allowing independent root bridge election and port roles per VLAN. This enables load balancing across VLANs.
Related concept
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
- ✗
Rapid PVST+ is an enhancement of PVST+ and uses the same timer-based convergence as standard 802.1D.
Why it's wrong here
Rapid PVST+ is based on RSTP (802.1w), which uses a proposal/agreement handshake for fast convergence, not the timer-based convergence of 802.1D. PVST+ uses 802.1D timers.
- ✗
Rapid PVST+ uses the 802.1D standard to compute the spanning tree for each VLAN.
- ✓
PortFast and BPDU Guard are commonly configured on access ports to prevent loops and speed up convergence.
Why this is correct
PortFast allows an access port to transition directly to forwarding state, bypassing listening and learning. BPDU Guard disables the port if a BPDU is received, protecting against accidental loops from misconfigured devices. Together, they secure edge ports.
Related concept
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
- ✗
Rapid PVST+ uses the 802.1Q trunking protocol to reduce the number of spanning-tree instances.
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.
✓Rapid PVST+ runs a separate instance of RSTP for each VLAN.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
Rapid PVST+ is a per-VLAN implementation of RSTP (802.1w). Each VLAN runs its own RSTP instance, allowing independent root bridge election and port roles per VLAN. This enables load balancing across VLANs.
✗Rapid PVST+ is an enhancement of PVST+ and uses the same timer-based convergence as standard 802.1D.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This is incorrect because Rapid PVST+ does not use the slower timer-based convergence of 802.1D; it uses RSTP's rapid handshake mechanism.
✗Rapid PVST+ uses the 802.1D standard to compute the spanning tree for each VLAN.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This is incorrect because Rapid PVST+ is based on 802.1w (RSTP), not 802.1D (STP).
✗Rapid PVST+ uses the 802.1Q trunking protocol to reduce the number of spanning-tree instances.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This is incorrect because Rapid PVST+ runs one instance per VLAN, not fewer, and it does not use 802.1Q to reduce instances.
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: Rapid PVST+ runs a separate instance of RSTP for each VLAN. — Rapid PVST+ is a per-VLAN implementation of RSTP (802.1w) that provides faster convergence than traditional STP. It uses proposal/agreement handshakes to transition ports to forwarding state quickly, and it supports PortFast and BPDU Guard features for edge ports. Option A is correct because Rapid PVST+ runs a separate RSTP instance per VLAN, allowing per-VLAN root bridges and load balancing. Option D is correct because PortFast enables immediate transition to forwarding for edge ports, and BPDU Guard disables the port if a BPDU is received, protecting against accidental loops. Option B is incorrect because Rapid PVST+ uses RSTP, not PVST+. Option C is incorrect because Rapid PVST+ uses 802.1w, not 802.1D. Option E is incorrect because Rapid PVST+ does not use the 802.1Q trunking protocol itself; it operates on top of any trunking method, and it does not inherently reduce the number of STP instances—it maintains per-VLAN instances.
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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