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Network Infrastructure and Connectivity →hardTroubleshootingObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The answer is to enter interface configuration mode for GigabitEthernet0/0 and issue the no shutdown command. This is correct because the status “administratively down” explicitly indicates the interface was manually disabled with the shutdown command, which places the interface in an administratively disabled state regardless of cable or hardware issues. The no shutdown command reverses that administrative state, allowing the interface to attempt line protocol establishment. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this scenario tests your ability to read interface status output and distinguish between physical layer problems and administrative disablement—a common trap is to chase speed or duplex mismatches when the root cause is simply a manual shutdown. Remember the mnemonic: “If it says ‘down’ twice, check the config; if it says ‘administratively down,’ the fix is no shutdown.”

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
G0/0203.0.113.1/30G0/0203.0.113.2/30linkR1R2

You are connected to R1. The link between R1 and R2 is down. The output of 'show interfaces gigabitEthernet0/0' on R1 shows: 'GigabitEthernet0/0 is administratively down, line protocol is down (disabled)', with IP address 203.0.113.1/30, MTU 1500, and no input/output errors. Determine the root cause and configure the necessary fix to bring the interface up and restore connectivity.

Question 1hardTroubleshooting
Full question →

Exhibit

R1# show interfaces gigabitethernet0/0
GigabitEthernet0/0 is up, line protocol is down
  Hardware is Gigabit Ethernet, address is aabb.cc00.0100 (bia aabb.cc00.0100)
  Description: Link to R2
  Internet address is 203.0.113.1/30
  MTU 1500 bytes, BW 1000000 Kbit/sec, DLY 10 usec,
     reliability 255/255, txload 1/255, rxload 1/255
  Encapsulation ARPA, loopback not set
  Keepalive set (10 sec)
  Auto-duplex, Auto-speed, 1000Mb/s, Full-duplex
  input errors 0, CRC 0, frame 0, overrun 0, ignored 0
  output errors 0, collisions 0, interface resets 0
  Input queue: 0/75/0/0 (size/max/drops/flushes); Total output drops: 0
  Queueing strategy: fifo
  Output queue: 0/40 (size/max)
  5 minute input rate 0 bits/sec, 0 packets/sec
  5 minute output rate 0 bits/sec, 0 packets/sec
     0 packets input, 0 bytes, 0 no buffer
     Received 0 broadcasts (0 IP multicasts)
     0 runts, 0 giants, 0 throttles
     0 input errors, 0 CRC, 0 frame, 0 overrun, 0 ignored
     0 watchdog, 0 multicast, 0 pause input
     0 input packets with dribble condition detected
     0 packets output, 0 bytes, 0 underruns
     0 output errors, 0 collisions, 1 interface resets
     0 unknown protocol drops
     0 babbles, 0 late collision, 0 deferred
     0 lost carrier, 0 no carrier, 0 pause output
     0 output buffer failures, 0 output buffers swapped out

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 interface configuration mode for GigabitEthernet0/0 and issue the 'no shutdown' command.

The interface status 'administratively down' means the interface was manually shut down using the 'shutdown' command. To bring it up, you must enter interface configuration mode and issue 'no shutdown', which administratively enables the interface. The other options are incorrect: setting speed to 100 Mbps or forcing full-duplex will not fix an administratively down state, and disabling keepalives is unrelated to the interface being disabled.

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 interface configuration mode for GigabitEthernet0/0 and issue the 'no shutdown' command.

    Why this is correct

    The interface is administratively down, so the no shutdown command will enable it.

    Related concept

    Authentication checks who the user is.

  • ✗

    Enter interface configuration mode and issue the 'speed 100' command to match the remote interface speed.

    Why it's wrong here

    This is incorrect because the interface is administratively down, not a speed mismatch. Speed mismatches typically cause CRC errors or interface resets, not an administratively down state.

  • ✗

    Enter interface configuration mode and issue the 'duplex full' command to force full-duplex operation.

    Why it's wrong here

    This is incorrect because the interface is administratively down, not a duplex mismatch. Duplex mismatches typically cause high error rates and collisions, not an administratively down state.

  • ✗

    Enter interface configuration mode and issue the 'no keepalive' command to disable keepalives.

    Why it's wrong here

    This is incorrect because keepalive issues typically cause 'line protocol is down' while the interface remains up, not 'administratively down'. The output shows the interface is administratively down, which is a manual shutdown.

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.

✓Enter interface configuration mode for GigabitEthernet0/0 and issue the 'no shutdown' command.Correct answer▾

Why this is correct

The interface is administratively down, so the no shutdown command will enable it.

✗Enter interface configuration mode and issue the 'speed 100' command to match the remote interface speed.Wrong answer — click to see why▾

Why this is wrong here

Speed settings do not fix an administratively down interface; the status would not show 'administratively down' if the issue were a speed mismatch.

Why candidates choose this

Candidates might think a speed mismatch is the cause because it is a common layer 1 issue, but the output clearly shows 'administratively down', which is a layer 2 administrative state.

✗Enter interface configuration mode and issue the 'duplex full' command to force full-duplex operation.Wrong answer — click to see why▾

Why this is wrong here

Duplex settings are irrelevant when the interface is shut down; a duplex mismatch would show errors, not 'administratively down'.

Why candidates choose this

Candidates may confuse 'line protocol is down' with a duplex mismatch, but the 'administratively down' keyword clearly indicates the interface was manually disabled.

✗Enter interface configuration mode and issue the 'no keepalive' command to disable keepalives.Wrong answer — click to see why▾

Why this is wrong here

Keepalive configuration does not bring up a shutdown interface; the administratively down state indicates the shutdown command was used.

Why candidates choose this

Candidates might think keepalive mismatch is the problem because it is a common cause of line protocol down, but the 'administratively down' state is distinct and indicates a shutdown command.

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: 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.

Trap categories for this question

  • Command / output trap

    This is incorrect because keepalive issues typically cause 'line protocol is down' while the interface remains up, not 'administratively down'. The output shows the interface is administratively down, which is a manual shutdown.

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 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. Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access. 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.

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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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this 200-301 question test?

Network Infrastructure and Connectivity — This question tests Network Infrastructure and Connectivity — Authentication checks who the user is..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: Enter interface configuration mode for GigabitEthernet0/0 and issue the 'no shutdown' command. — The interface status 'administratively down' means the interface was manually shut down using the 'shutdown' command. To bring it up, you must enter interface configuration mode and issue 'no shutdown', which administratively enables the interface. The other options are incorrect: setting speed to 100 Mbps or forcing full-duplex will not fix an administratively down state, and disabling keepalives is unrelated to the interface being disabled.

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.

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Last reviewed: Jun 6, 2026

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