The correct answer is to create a new interface mapped to VLAN 30, then configure a new WLAN with the SSID 'CustomerNet' set to WPA3-Personal, enable SSID broadcast, and assign that interface. This is necessary because a hidden SSID prevents clients from seeing the network in probe responses, and WPA3-Personal requires a compatible security policy on the WLAN, while the VLAN assignment must match the client’s intended subnet for successful association. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this tests your ability to troubleshoot Layer 2 segmentation and wireless security configuration, often appearing as a scenario where a misconfigured interface or disabled broadcast causes client failures. A common trap is forgetting that a hidden SSID still needs broadcast enabled for initial discovery, or assuming WPA2 can be swapped for WPA3 without creating a new WLAN. Remember the mnemonic “I-S-V” for Interface first, then SSID, then Verify—always map the VLAN before assigning it to the WLAN.
CCNA Network Infrastructure and Connectivity Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of network infrastructure and connectivity. 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.
Network Topology
You are connected to WLC-1 via the management interface (192.168.1.100/24). The wireless network 'CustomerNet' uses WPA3-Personal, but clients are failing to associate. The SSID is hidden and the correct VLAN is 30. Configure the WLAN and SSID parameters to allow successful client associations and verify the configuration.
WLC-1# show wlan summary
Number of WLANs.................................. 2
WLAN ID WLAN Profile Name / SSID Status Interface Name
------- ------------------------------ ------- -----------------
1 CorporateNet / CorpNet Enabled management
2 GuestNet / Guest Enabled guest
WLC-1# show wlan 2
WLAN Profile Name................................ GuestNet
SSID................................................ Guest
Status............................................. Enabled
Security Policies................................... [WPA2][Auth(802.1X)]
...
WLC-1# show interface summary
Interface Name Port VLAN IP Address Type
---------------------- ------ ------- --------------- -----
management LAG 1 192.168.1.100 Static
corporate LAG 10 10.10.10.1 Static
guest LAG 20 172.16.20.1 Static
WLC-1# show wlan 1 security
WLAN ID 1 (CorporateNet):
WPA2....................... Enabled
WPA3....................... Disabled
Auth Key Management........ 802.1X
WLC-1# show wlan 2 security
WLAN ID 2 (GuestNet):
WPA2....................... Enabled
WPA3....................... Disabled
Auth Key Management........ PSK
WLC-1# show wlan 2 advanced
WLAN ID 2 (GuestNet):
Broadcast SSID............. Disabled
P2P Blocking Action........ Disabled
...
A
Create a new interface 'vlan30' with VLAN 30, then create a new WLAN with SSID 'CustomerNet', set security to WPA3-Personal, enable SSID broadcast, and assign the 'vlan30' interface.
This is correct because it addresses all three issues: the interface must be created and mapped to VLAN 30, the WLAN must use WPA3-Personal, and SSID broadcast must be enabled for clients to discover the hidden SSID.
B
Modify the existing GuestNet WLAN: change security to WPA3-Personal, enable SSID broadcast, and change the interface to 'guest' (VLAN 20).
Why wrong: This is incorrect because the interface must be changed to VLAN 30, not left as guest (VLAN 20). The VLAN mismatch prevents client traffic from reaching the correct network.
C
Create a new WLAN with SSID 'CustomerNet', set security to WPA2-PSK, enable SSID broadcast, and assign the 'guest' interface (VLAN 20).
Why wrong: This is incorrect because it uses WPA2-PSK instead of WPA3-Personal, and the interface is set to VLAN 20 instead of VLAN 30. Both are required for successful client association.
D
Modify the GuestNet WLAN: change security to WPA3-Personal, keep SSID broadcast disabled, and change the interface to a new interface mapped to VLAN 30.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because the SSID broadcast must be enabled for clients to discover the hidden SSID. Keeping it disabled will prevent successful association.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create a new interface 'vlan30' with VLAN 30, then create a new WLAN with SSID 'CustomerNet', set security to WPA3-Personal, enable SSID broadcast, and assign the 'vlan30' interface.
The GuestNet WLAN (ID 2) currently uses WPA2 with PSK, but clients expect WPA3-Personal. Additionally, the SSID is hidden (broadcast disabled) and the interface is set to guest (VLAN 20) instead of the required VLAN 30. To fix, create a new WLAN (or modify WLAN 2) to use WPA3-Personal, enable SSID broadcast, and assign it to a new interface mapped to VLAN 30. Configure the interface first, then apply to the WLAN.
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.
✓
Create a new interface 'vlan30' with VLAN 30, then create a new WLAN with SSID 'CustomerNet', set security to WPA3-Personal, enable SSID broadcast, and assign the 'vlan30' interface.
Why this is correct
This is correct because it addresses all three issues: the interface must be created and mapped to VLAN 30, the WLAN must use WPA3-Personal, and SSID broadcast must be enabled for clients to discover the hidden SSID.
Related concept
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
✗
Modify the existing GuestNet WLAN: change security to WPA3-Personal, enable SSID broadcast, and change the interface to 'guest' (VLAN 20).
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because the interface must be changed to VLAN 30, not left as guest (VLAN 20). The VLAN mismatch prevents client traffic from reaching the correct network.
✗
Create a new WLAN with SSID 'CustomerNet', set security to WPA2-PSK, enable SSID broadcast, and assign the 'guest' interface (VLAN 20).
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because it uses WPA2-PSK instead of WPA3-Personal, and the interface is set to VLAN 20 instead of VLAN 30. Both are required for successful client association.
✗
Modify the GuestNet WLAN: change security to WPA3-Personal, keep SSID broadcast disabled, and change the interface to a new interface mapped to VLAN 30.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because the SSID broadcast must be enabled for clients to discover the hidden SSID. Keeping it disabled will prevent successful association.
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.
✓Create a new interface 'vlan30' with VLAN 30, then create a new WLAN with SSID 'CustomerNet', set security to WPA3-Personal, enable SSID broadcast, and assign the 'vlan30' interface.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
This is correct because it addresses all three issues: the interface must be created and mapped to VLAN 30, the WLAN must use WPA3-Personal, and SSID broadcast must be enabled for clients to discover the hidden SSID.
✗Modify the existing GuestNet WLAN: change security to WPA3-Personal, enable SSID broadcast, and change the interface to 'guest' (VLAN 20).Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error is that the interface remains set to 'guest' (VLAN 20) instead of being changed to VLAN 30 as required.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think modifying the existing WLAN is sufficient and overlook the VLAN requirement, assuming the guest interface is acceptable.
✗Create a new WLAN with SSID 'CustomerNet', set security to WPA2-PSK, enable SSID broadcast, and assign the 'guest' interface (VLAN 20).Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual errors are using WPA2-PSK (clients expect WPA3-Personal) and assigning the wrong VLAN (20 instead of 30).
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse WPA2 and WPA3 or think that WPA2 is backward compatible, and may not realize the VLAN mismatch.
✗Modify the GuestNet WLAN: change security to WPA3-Personal, keep SSID broadcast disabled, and change the interface to a new interface mapped to VLAN 30.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error is that the SSID broadcast remains disabled, which means clients cannot see the SSID and will not attempt to associate.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think that hiding the SSID is a security feature and should be kept, not realizing that the clients are failing to associate because they cannot find the network.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 200-301 question in full detail.
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.
Network Infrastructure and Connectivity — This question tests Network Infrastructure and Connectivity — Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a new interface 'vlan30' with VLAN 30, then create a new WLAN with SSID 'CustomerNet', set security to WPA3-Personal, enable SSID broadcast, and assign the 'vlan30' interface. — The GuestNet WLAN (ID 2) currently uses WPA2 with PSK, but clients expect WPA3-Personal. Additionally, the SSID is hidden (broadcast disabled) and the interface is set to guest (VLAN 20) instead of the required VLAN 30. To fix, create a new WLAN (or modify WLAN 2) to use WPA3-Personal, enable SSID broadcast, and assign it to a new interface mapped to VLAN 30. Configure the interface first, then apply to the WLAN.
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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