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. A key principle to apply: port Address Translation (PAT) requires a correctly configured access control list (ACL) to identify inside local IP addresses for translation.. 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.
Configured: interface G0/0 ip nat inside interface G0/1 ip nat outside No translations appear in 'show ip nat translations'.
Exhibit: Users report no internet access after PAT was configured. The inside and outside interfaces are marked correctly. Which missing configuration is the most likely cause?
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.
Configured: interface G0/0 ip nat inside interface G0/1 ip nat outside No translations appear in 'show ip nat translations'.
No ACL and nat overload statement identifying inside source addresses
Correct choice.
No DHCP pool on the outside interface
Why wrong: Distractor.
No CDP enabled on the router
Why wrong: Distractor.
No syslog server configured
Why wrong: Distractor.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
No ACL and nat overload statement identifying inside source addresses
PAT needs both the inside and outside interface roles and a NAT statement referencing an ACL that identifies the inside local addresses. Without the ACL match and NAT overload rule, translation does not occur for user traffic.
Key principle: Port Address Translation (PAT) requires a correctly configured access control list (ACL) to identify inside local IP addresses for translation.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
No ACL and nat overload statement identifying inside source addresses
No DHCP pool on the outside interface
Why it's wrong here
Distractor.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario where the question specifies that users are trying to connect to the internet but are not receiving IP addresses, and the router's outside interface is expected to assign IP addresses dynamically, the absence of a DHCP pool would indeed be the correct answer.
No CDP enabled on the router
Why it's wrong here
Distractor.
When this WOULD be correct
In a question focused on network topology discovery, where the scenario involves troubleshooting connectivity issues between Cisco devices, the absence of CDP could be identified as the cause of the problem. For example, if the question asked about issues with device visibility or neighbor discovery, then not having CDP enabled would be the correct answer.
No syslog server configured
Why it's wrong here
Distractor.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario where a question focuses on network troubleshooting and monitoring, a candidate might be asked about missing configurations that affect logging and alerting. If the question specifies that logs are needed for troubleshooting connectivity issues, then not having a syslog server could be the correct answer.
Option-by-option analysis
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.
Why this is correct
Correct choice.
Why this is wrong here
This option is wrong because the issue relates to PAT configuration, which does not require a DHCP pool on the outside interface. DHCP pools are typically used for dynamic IP address assignment to clients, not for NAT operations.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario where the question specifies that users are trying to connect to the internet but are not receiving IP addresses, and the router's outside interface is expected to assign IP addresses dynamically, the absence of a DHCP pool would indeed be the correct answer.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may choose this option due to a misunderstanding of NAT and DHCP roles, thinking that DHCP is necessary for any internet access configuration, leading to confusion about their specific functions.
Why this is wrong here
CDP (Cisco Discovery Protocol) is used for discovering information about directly connected Cisco devices and does not impact NAT or internet connectivity. Therefore, its absence would not cause intermittent internet access issues related to PAT configuration.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a question focused on network topology discovery, where the scenario involves troubleshooting connectivity issues between Cisco devices, the absence of CDP could be identified as the cause of the problem. For example, if the question asked about issues with device visibility or neighbor discovery, then not having CDP enabled would be the correct answer.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse the importance of CDP in network management with its relevance to NAT configurations, leading them to mistakenly believe that it could affect internet access.
Why this is wrong here
No syslog server configured is not directly related to the intermittent internet access issue caused by PAT misconfiguration. Syslog servers are used for logging events and do not affect the NAT functionality or connectivity.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario where a question focuses on network troubleshooting and monitoring, a candidate might be asked about missing configurations that affect logging and alerting. If the question specifies that logs are needed for troubleshooting connectivity issues, then not having a syslog server could be the correct answer.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may choose this option because they understand the importance of logging in network management and might mistakenly believe that logging issues could lead to connectivity problems, thus overlooking the specific NAT-related context of the question.
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
A frequent exam trap is believing that configuring the inside and outside interfaces alone is enough for PAT to function correctly. Candidates may overlook the necessity of an ACL that explicitly identifies the inside local addresses for translation. Without this ACL and the corresponding NAT overload statement, the router cannot perform address translation, causing intermittent or failed internet connectivity. This mistake often occurs because the interface roles are visible and seem sufficient, but the translation logic depends on the ACL match. Understanding that PAT requires both interface roles and an ACL-based NAT overload rule is critical to avoid this pitfall.
Detailed technical explanation
Port Address Translation (PAT), a form of Network Address Translation (NAT), allows multiple devices on a private network to access the internet using a single public IP address. PAT achieves this by mapping multiple inside local IP addresses to a single inside global IP address, differentiating sessions by assigning unique source port numbers. This process requires the router to know which inside addresses to translate, which is done through an access control list (ACL) that defines the range of inside local IP addresses eligible for translation. When configuring PAT on Cisco routers, the NAT statement must reference an ACL that identifies the inside local addresses to be translated. Additionally, the router interfaces must be correctly designated as inside or outside to ensure proper translation direction. The NAT overload keyword enables port translation, allowing multiple sessions to share one public IP. Without the ACL and the NAT overload command, the router cannot translate the inside addresses, resulting in intermittent or no internet access for users. A common exam trap is assuming that simply marking interfaces as inside and outside is sufficient for PAT to work. However, without the ACL and NAT overload statement, the router does not know which addresses to translate or how to handle multiple sessions. In practical networking, failing to configure the ACL or NAT overload leads to failed translations and connectivity issues, highlighting the importance of complete NAT configuration for reliable internet access.
Key takeaway
Port Address Translation (PAT) requires a correctly configured access control list (ACL) to identify inside local IP addresses for translation.
Real-world example
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
Review port Address Translation (PAT) requires a correctly configured access control list (ACL) to identify inside local IP addresses for translation., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
Network Services and Security — This question tests Network Services and Security — Port Address Translation (PAT) requires a correctly configured access control list (ACL) to identify inside local IP addresses for translation..
The correct answer is: No ACL and nat overload statement identifying inside source addresses — PAT needs both the inside and outside interface roles and a NAT statement referencing an ACL that identifies the inside local addresses. Without the ACL match and NAT overload rule, translation does not occur for user traffic.
Review port Address Translation (PAT) requires a correctly configured access control list (ACL) to identify inside local IP addresses for translation., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Port Address Translation (PAT) requires a correctly configured access control list (ACL) to identify inside local IP addresses for translation.
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Last reviewed: May 17, 2026
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