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Question 72 of 1,052
hardmultiple choiceObjective-mapped
CCNA Practice Question: A network technician notices that a host…
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of a network technician notices that a host…. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
Exhibit
Switch# show running-config interface GigabitEthernet0/1 Building configuration... Current configuration : 135 bytes ! interface GigabitEthernet0/1 switchport mode access switchport access vlan 10 spanning-tree portfast spanning-tree bpduguard enable end Switch# show spanning-tree interface GigabitEthernet0/1 detail Port 1 (GigabitEthernet0/1) of VLAN0010 is designated blocking Port path cost 4, Port priority 128, Port identifier 128.1. Designated root has priority 24576, address aaaa.bbbb.cccc Designated bridge has priority 32768, address dddd.eeee.ffff Designated port id is 128.1, designated path cost 4 Timers: message age 2, forward delay 15, hold 0 Number of transitions to forwarding state: 0 BPDU: sent 0, received 0 The port is in the blocking state
A network technician notices that a host connected to interface GigabitEthernet0/1 on an access layer switch cannot ping its default gateway. The interface is up, but the host receives no response to ARP requests. The switch is running Rapid PVST+. The technician examines the interface configuration. What is the most likely cause of the problem?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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
✓
The port is in err-disabled state due to BPDU Guard, and the host is sending BPDUs.
The interface is in a blocking state because BPDU Guard has disabled the port after receiving a BPDU, even though PortFast is configured. PortFast is meant to immediately transition an access port to forwarding, but BPDU Guard puts the port into err-disabled state if a BPDU is received. The 'show spanning-tree' output shows the port is blocking and has received 0 BPDUs, which is inconsistent with a normal PortFast port. Actually, the BPDU Guard has placed the port in err-disabled state, but the 'show spanning-tree' output shows it as 'blocking' because the port is in a special state. The correct fix is to remove BPDU Guard or ensure no BPDUs are sent to the host port. The other options do not address the root cause.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
The port is in err-disabled state due to BPDU Guard, and the host is sending BPDUs.
Why this is correct
BPDU Guard places the port in err-disabled state when a BPDU is received on a PortFast-enabled port. The host is likely a switch or a device that sends BPDUs, causing the port to be disabled.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The port is in blocking state because Rapid PVST+ has detected a loop and placed it in blocking.
Why it's wrong here
Rapid PVST+ does not place a PortFast-enabled port in blocking; PortFast should immediately transition to forwarding unless BPDU Guard intervenes.
- ✗
The port is in blocking state because the switch has a higher bridge priority than the root bridge.
Why it's wrong here
The designated root has priority 24576, which is lower than the local switch's priority 32768, so the local switch is not root. However, this does not cause a designated port to be blocking; designated ports are forwarding.
- ✗
The port is in blocking state because the interface is configured as an access port but the switch is running Rapid PVST+.
Why it's wrong here
Rapid PVST+ works with access ports; there is no conflict. The access port configuration is correct.
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.
✓The port is in err-disabled state due to BPDU Guard, and the host is sending BPDUs.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
BPDU Guard places the port in err-disabled state when a BPDU is received on a PortFast-enabled port. The host is likely a switch or a device that sends BPDUs, causing the port to be disabled.
✗The port is in blocking state because Rapid PVST+ has detected a loop and placed it in blocking.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
PortFast is designed to bypass the listening and learning states, so the port should be forwarding unless a BPDU is received.
✗The port is in blocking state because the switch has a higher bridge priority than the root bridge.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A designated port is always in forwarding state; blocking occurs for alternate or backup ports.
✗The port is in blocking state because the interface is configured as an access port but the switch is running Rapid PVST+.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Rapid PVST+ supports access ports without issues.
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: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 200-301 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which 200-301 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The port is in err-disabled state due to BPDU Guard, and the host is sending BPDUs. — The interface is in a blocking state because BPDU Guard has disabled the port after receiving a BPDU, even though PortFast is configured. PortFast is meant to immediately transition an access port to forwarding, but BPDU Guard puts the port into err-disabled state if a BPDU is received. The 'show spanning-tree' output shows the port is blocking and has received 0 BPDUs, which is inconsistent with a normal PortFast port. Actually, the BPDU Guard has placed the port in err-disabled state, but the 'show spanning-tree' output shows it as 'blocking' because the port is in a special state. The correct fix is to remove BPDU Guard or ensure no BPDUs are sent to the host port. The other options do not address the root cause.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Identify which 200-301 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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