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Quick Answer
The correct answer is that CDP is enabled by default on Cisco devices and runs over all interfaces that support SNAP headers. This is because CDP is a Cisco proprietary Layer 2 protocol that uses the multicast MAC address 01:00:0C:CC:CC:CC to send advertisements exclusively to directly connected neighbors, with the default advertisement interval being 60 seconds, not 30. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this question tests your understanding of the CDP neighbor discovery process steps, specifically that CDP operates at Layer 2 and does not require IP subnet adjacency—a common trap where candidates mistakenly think CDP can discover devices more than one hop away or that it relies on IP. A reliable memory tip is to remember the multicast MAC as "Cisco's triple-C" (01:00:0C:CC:CC:CC) and that CDP's default holdtime of 180 seconds is three times its 60-second advertisement timer.
CCNA Network Infrastructure and Connectivity Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of network infrastructure and connectivity. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 three of the following are correct steps in the process of CDP (Cisco Discovery Protocol) neighbor discovery? (Choose three.)
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
✓
CDP operates at Layer 2 and sends advertisements to the multicast address 01:00:0C:CC:CC:CC.
CDP is a Cisco proprietary Layer 2 protocol that uses multicast MAC address 01:00:0C:CC:CC:CC to send advertisements to directly connected neighbors. Advertisements include device identifier, platform, and capabilities. CDP is enabled by default on Cisco devices and runs over interfaces supporting SNAP headers. Incorrect options: CDP advertisements are sent every 60 seconds by default (not 30); CDP discovers only directly connected neighbors (not devices more than one L2 hop away); CDP does not require both devices to be in the same IP subnet because it operates at Layer 2.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common mistake is thinking CDP uses a broadcast address or operates at Layer 3; another trap is confusing the default CDP timer (60 seconds) with the 30-second timer of other protocols like LLDP.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
CDP operates at Layer 2 (data link layer) and does not require IP connectivity, making it useful for discovering neighbors even when IP addressing is misconfigured. The multicast address 01:00:0C:CC:CC:CC is part of the Cisco-proprietary multicast range, and CDP packets are encapsulated in SNAP frames with an EtherType of 0x2000. In real-world scenarios, CDP is often used to verify physical connectivity and to map network topology, but it should be disabled on interfaces facing untrusted networks (e.g., internet-facing) to prevent information leakage.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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 network engineer at a university connects two campus buildings via a fibre link. Both routers run OSPF, but no adjacency forms — even though both routers can ping each other. The engineer finds one router is in area 0 and the other in area 1. OSPF adjacency requires matching area numbers, hello/dead timers, and network type. IP reachability alone is not enough.
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
Network Infrastructure and Connectivity — This question tests Network Infrastructure and Connectivity — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: CDP operates at Layer 2 and sends advertisements to the multicast address 01:00:0C:CC:CC:CC. — CDP is a Cisco proprietary Layer 2 protocol that uses multicast MAC address 01:00:0C:CC:CC:CC to send advertisements to directly connected neighbors. Advertisements include device identifier, platform, and capabilities. CDP is enabled by default on Cisco devices and runs over interfaces supporting SNAP headers. Incorrect options: CDP advertisements are sent every 60 seconds by default (not 30); CDP discovers only directly connected neighbors (not devices more than one L2 hop away); CDP does not require both devices to be in the same IP subnet because it operates at Layer 2.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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