- A
High CPU utilization on router: Routing protocol issues or excessive routing updates.
This is correct because high CPU utilization on a router often indicates routing issues such as excessive route recalculations, routing loops, or a large number of routing updates, which can be investigated using routing protocol diagnostics.
- B
Packet loss on a link: Physical layer problems or congestion.
This is incorrect because packet drops on an interface are typically associated with interface problems such as errors, congestion, or buffer overflows, not routing issues.
- C
Slow application response: Network latency or bandwidth saturation.
This is incorrect because unreachable destinations from a specific subnet are typically investigated using routing table analysis, not high CPU diagnostics.
- D
Interface flapping: Faulty hardware or duplex mismatch.
This is incorrect because duplicate IP addresses are typically associated with DHCP conflicts or misconfiguration, not high CPU utilization.
CCNA Network Services and Security Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of network services and security. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. A key principle to apply: syslog collects and stores event messages from Cisco devices, enabling chronological review of system events and error logs.. 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.
Match each operational symptom to the technology most likely associated with investigating it.
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.
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
High CPU utilization on router: Routing protocol issues or excessive routing updates.
Syslog is specifically designed to collect device-generated log messages, including warnings and interface state changes, making it the natural tool for reviewing such events. SNMP allows a management station to actively poll device data such as interface counters and operational status, providing real-time statistics and alerts. NetFlow exports flow-level records that detail source, destination, and application conversations, enabling identification of the specific flows consuming bandwidth. NTP synchronizes the clocks of network devices, ensuring that timestamps in logs, alerts, and flow data are consistent across the network for accurate correlation and troubleshooting.
Key principle: Syslog collects and stores event messages from Cisco devices, enabling chronological review of system events and error logs.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
High CPU utilization on router: Routing protocol issues or excessive routing updates.
Why this is correct
This is correct because high CPU utilization on a router often indicates routing issues such as excessive route recalculations, routing loops, or a large number of routing updates, which can be investigated using routing protocol diagnostics.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Syslog collects and stores event messages from Cisco devices, enabling chronological review of system events and error logs.
- ✓
Packet loss on a link: Physical layer problems or congestion.
Why this is correct
This is incorrect because packet drops on an interface are typically associated with interface problems such as errors, congestion, or buffer overflows, not routing issues.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Syslog collects and stores event messages from Cisco devices, enabling chronological review of system events and error logs.
- ✓
Slow application response: Network latency or bandwidth saturation.
Why this is correct
This is incorrect because unreachable destinations from a specific subnet are typically investigated using routing table analysis, not high CPU diagnostics.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Syslog collects and stores event messages from Cisco devices, enabling chronological review of system events and error logs.
- ✓
Interface flapping: Faulty hardware or duplex mismatch.
Why this is correct
This is incorrect because duplicate IP addresses are typically associated with DHCP conflicts or misconfiguration, not high CPU utilization.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Syslog collects and stores event messages from Cisco devices, enabling chronological review of system events and error logs.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap is that many symptoms can be interrelated, but the question asks for the technology most likely associated with investigating the specific symptom. Focus on the direct cause rather than secondary effects.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cisco IP Services include several key technologies designed to monitor and manage network operations effectively. Syslog collects and stores event messages generated by network devices, providing a chronological record of system events and errors. SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) polls devices for counters and status information, enabling centralized monitoring of device health and performance. NetFlow captures detailed traffic flow data, showing who communicates with whom and how much data is exchanged. NTP (Network Time Protocol) synchronizes clocks across devices to ensure accurate time correlation for logs and events. When troubleshooting operational symptoms, the decision process involves matching the symptom to the technology’s core function. Event-message review requires Syslog because it records system-generated messages. Counter and status polling aligns with SNMP’s role in gathering device statistics. Traffic analysis corresponds to NetFlow’s ability to monitor flow data and communication patterns. Time-correlation problems necessitate NTP to maintain consistent timestamps across devices. This matching ensures efficient and accurate network troubleshooting in Cisco environments. A frequent exam trap is confusing overlapping monitoring capabilities or assuming one tool covers multiple symptoms equally. For example, SNMP can generate traps (alerts) but is not primarily used for event-message review, which is Syslog’s domain. Similarly, NetFlow provides traffic insights but does not handle time synchronization, which is the exclusive function of NTP. Understanding these distinctions prevents misapplication of Cisco IP Services technologies and supports practical network operations and exam success.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Syslog collects and stores event messages from Cisco devices, enabling chronological review of system events and error logs.
- SNMP polls Cisco devices for counters and status information, allowing centralized monitoring of device health and performance metrics.
- NetFlow analyzes traffic flows by capturing detailed data on who communicates with whom and the volume of data exchanged.
- NTP synchronizes device clocks across the network to ensure accurate time correlation for logs and event timestamps.
- Matching operational symptoms to the correct Cisco IP Services technology improves troubleshooting accuracy and efficiency.
- Event-message review requires Syslog because it records system-generated messages in a centralized log.
- Counter and status polling aligns with SNMP’s role in gathering real-time device statistics and health indicators.
- Time-correlation problems must be addressed using NTP to maintain consistent timestamps across all network devices.
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
Syslog collects and stores event messages from Cisco devices, enabling chronological review of system events and error logs.
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
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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 — Syslog collects and stores event messages from Cisco devices, enabling chronological review of system events and error logs..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: High CPU utilization on router: Routing protocol issues or excessive routing updates. — Syslog is specifically designed to collect device-generated log messages, including warnings and interface state changes, making it the natural tool for reviewing such events. SNMP allows a management station to actively poll device data such as interface counters and operational status, providing real-time statistics and alerts. NetFlow exports flow-level records that detail source, destination, and application conversations, enabling identification of the specific flows consuming bandwidth. NTP synchronizes the clocks of network devices, ensuring that timestamps in logs, alerts, and flow data are consistent across the network for accurate correlation and troubleshooting.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review syslog collects and stores event messages from Cisco devices, enabling chronological review of system events and error logs., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Syslog collects and stores event messages from Cisco devices, enabling chronological review of system events and error logs.
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Last reviewed: May 17, 2026
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