- A
Enter global configuration mode, define inside and outside interfaces, create a NAT pool with the public IP address range, and enable overload on the pool.
This is the correct sequence for configuring PAT on a Cisco IOS-XE router. The steps are: 1) enter global configuration mode, 2) define inside and outside interfaces using 'ip nat inside' and 'ip nat outside', 3) create a NAT pool with the public IP address(es) using 'ip nat pool', and 4) enable overload on the pool using 'ip nat inside source list <acl> pool <name> overload'.
- B
Enter global configuration mode, create a NAT pool, define inside and outside interfaces, and enable overload on the pool.
This is incorrect because the inside and outside interfaces must be defined before creating the NAT pool. The order matters: interfaces are designated first, then the pool is created, and finally overload is enabled.
- C
Enter global configuration mode, define inside and outside interfaces, enable overload on the pool, and create a NAT pool.
This is incorrect because the NAT pool must be created before enabling overload. The overload command references the pool, so the pool must exist first.
- D
Enter global configuration mode, create a NAT pool, enable overload on the pool, and define inside and outside interfaces.
This is incorrect because the inside and outside interfaces must be defined before any NAT configuration. Without designating interfaces, NAT translations cannot be applied.
Quick Answer
The correct sequence to configure PAT on a Cisco IOS XE router is to enter global configuration mode, designate the inside and outside interfaces, create the NAT pool, and then enable overload on that pool. This order is technically required because NAT translation relies on the interface roles being defined first—the router must know which traffic is coming from the inside network and which is destined for the outside—before any pool or overload logic can be applied. The pool must also exist as a named object before the overload keyword can reference it; attempting to enable overload on an undefined pool will result in a configuration error. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this drag-and-drop task tests your understanding of the logical dependency chain in NAT configuration, and a common trap is placing the pool creation after the overload command or forgetting to designate interfaces first. A reliable memory tip is “Interfaces first, pool second, overload last”—think of it as setting up the doors, building the room, then turning on the lights.
CCNA Network Services and Security Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of network services and security. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
Drag and drop the following steps into the correct order to configure PAT (Port Address Translation) on a Cisco IOS-XE router.
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
Enter global configuration mode, define inside and outside interfaces, create a NAT pool with the public IP address range, and enable overload on the pool.
The correct sequence is: enter global configuration mode, designate inside and outside interfaces, create the NAT pool, and then enable overload on the pool. Interfaces must be designated first so that NAT translation can identify which interfaces are inside/outside. The pool must exist before you apply overload to it; otherwise the overload command will refer to an undefined pool. The other options incorrectly place the pool creation or overload instruction before interface designation or in an impossible order.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Enter global configuration mode, define inside and outside interfaces, create a NAT pool with the public IP address range, and enable overload on the pool.
Why this is correct
This is the correct sequence for configuring PAT on a Cisco IOS-XE router. The steps are: 1) enter global configuration mode, 2) define inside and outside interfaces using 'ip nat inside' and 'ip nat outside', 3) create a NAT pool with the public IP address(es) using 'ip nat pool', and 4) enable overload on the pool using 'ip nat inside source list <acl> pool <name> overload'.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✓
Enter global configuration mode, create a NAT pool, define inside and outside interfaces, and enable overload on the pool.
Why this is correct
This is incorrect because the inside and outside interfaces must be defined before creating the NAT pool. The order matters: interfaces are designated first, then the pool is created, and finally overload is enabled.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✓
Enter global configuration mode, define inside and outside interfaces, enable overload on the pool, and create a NAT pool.
Why this is correct
This is incorrect because the NAT pool must be created before enabling overload. The overload command references the pool, so the pool must exist first.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✓
Enter global configuration mode, create a NAT pool, enable overload on the pool, and define inside and outside interfaces.
Why this is correct
This is incorrect because the inside and outside interfaces must be defined before any NAT configuration. Without designating interfaces, NAT translations cannot be applied.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related 200-301 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
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Network Services and Security — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
Network Services and Security — This question tests Network Services and Security — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enter global configuration mode, define inside and outside interfaces, create a NAT pool with the public IP address range, and enable overload on the pool. — The correct sequence is: enter global configuration mode, designate inside and outside interfaces, create the NAT pool, and then enable overload on the pool. Interfaces must be designated first so that NAT translation can identify which interfaces are inside/outside. The pool must exist before you apply overload to it; otherwise the overload command will refer to an undefined pool. The other options incorrectly place the pool creation or overload instruction before interface designation or in an impossible order.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related 200-301 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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 →
Same concept, more angles
2 more ways this is tested on 200-301
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Drag and drop the following steps into the correct order to configure PAT (Port Address Translation) on a Cisco IOS-XE router for outbound traffic, including ACL creation, NAT statement, interface marking, and the translation process for an outbound packet.
hard- A.Enter global configuration mode, create an ACL to match internal traffic, apply NAT with overload using the outside interface, mark inside and outside interfaces.
- ✓ B.Enter global configuration mode, mark inside and outside interfaces, create an ACL to match internal traffic, apply NAT with overload using the outside interface.
- ✓ C.Enter global configuration mode, apply NAT with overload using the outside interface, create an ACL to match internal traffic, mark inside and outside interfaces.
- ✓ D.Create an ACL to match internal traffic, enter global configuration mode, apply NAT with overload using the outside interface, mark inside and outside interfaces.
Why B: The correct sequence is: enter global configuration mode, mark the inside and outside interfaces with 'ip nat inside' and 'ip nat outside', then create an ACL to match internal traffic, and finally apply the NAT overload statement using the outside interface. This order ensures the NAT process knows which interfaces are designated as inside/outside before matching and translating traffic. Option B follows this standard recommended order.
Variation 2. Drag and drop the following steps into the correct order to configure PAT (NAT overload) on a Cisco IOS-XE router so that internal hosts can share a single public IP when accessing the internet. Note: The NAT overload command is applied globally, not on the interface.
medium- ✓ A.Enter global configuration mode, configure inside and outside interfaces, create an ACL to match internal traffic, configure NAT overload with the ACL and outside interface.
- ✓ B.Create an ACL to match internal traffic, enter global configuration mode, configure inside and outside interfaces, configure NAT overload with the ACL and outside interface.
- ✓ C.Enter global configuration mode, create an ACL to match internal traffic, configure inside and outside interfaces, configure NAT overload with the ACL and outside interface.
- ✓ D.Configure inside and outside interfaces, enter global configuration mode, create an ACL to match internal traffic, configure NAT overload with the ACL and outside interface.
Why A: First, enter global configuration mode. Then configure the inside and outside interfaces with 'ip nat inside' and 'ip nat outside'. Next, create an ACL to identify internal traffic that should be translated. Finally, apply the NAT overload configuration globally using 'ip nat inside source list <ACL> interface <outside-interface> overload'. The correct order is global config, interfaces, ACL, then global NAT command.
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Last reviewed: Jun 6, 2026
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