- A
Enable IP routing using the 'ip routing' global configuration command.
The 'ip routing' command enables Layer 3 routing on a multilayer switch, allowing SVIs to route traffic between VLANs. Without this command, the switch operates only at Layer 2, and SVIs cannot forward packets between VLANs.
- B
Configure a routing protocol such as OSPF or EIGRP on the SVIs.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because routing protocols are used to exchange routes with other routers, not to enable basic inter-VLAN routing on a single switch. The SVIs are directly connected networks, so no routing protocol is needed for communication between them.
- C
Assign IP addresses to the physical interfaces connected to the hosts.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because hosts are typically in access ports that belong to a VLAN, and the SVI is the Layer 3 interface for that VLAN. Assigning IP addresses to physical interfaces would break the VLAN segmentation and is not the standard method for inter-VLAN routing.
- D
Create a trunk port and connect a router to perform router-on-a-stick.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because the question states that SW1 is a multilayer switch with SVIs already configured, so it can perform inter-VLAN routing internally without an external router. Router-on-a-stick is an alternative method but is not needed here.
Quick Answer
The answer is to enable IP routing using the 'ip routing' global configuration command. This command activates Layer 3 routing on a multilayer switch, allowing its switched virtual interfaces (SVIs) to forward packets between VLAN 10 and VLAN 20 without needing an external router. Without 'ip routing', the SVIs remain Layer 2 interfaces, unable to perform inter-VLAN routing even if they have IP addresses configured. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this tests your understanding that a multilayer switch is a router and a switch in one device—the key trap is assuming SVIs automatically route traffic or that a routing protocol is required for directly connected networks. Remember, 'ip routing' is the single command that flips the switch into a router; SVIs handle the rest. A helpful memory tip: "IP routing turns the switch into a router—no protocol needed for your own backyard."
CCNA Switching and Network Access Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of switching and network access. 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.
You are connected to SW1 via console. SW1 is a multilayer switch with SVIs for VLAN 10 (192.168.10.1/24) and VLAN 20 (192.168.20.1/24). Hosts in VLAN 10 and VLAN 20 need to communicate with each other. Currently, inter-VLAN routing is not working. You need to enable routing on SW1 and verify that the SVIs are operational.
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
Enable IP routing using the 'ip routing' global configuration command.
The 'ip routing' command enables Layer 3 routing on the multilayer switch, allowing SVIs to route between VLAN 10 and VLAN 20. Option B is unnecessary because directly connected SVIs do not require a routing protocol; routing protocols are only needed for routes learned from other routers, and 'ip routing' must still be enabled. Option C would require converting the physical interfaces to routed ports, which would break the existing Layer 2 VLAN topology and is not the intended solution. Option D provides an external router-on-a-stick solution but does not enable routing on SW1 itself, which is the required task. Therefore, only option A correctly enables inter-VLAN routing on SW1.
Key principle: OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Enable IP routing using the 'ip routing' global configuration command.
Why this is correct
The 'ip routing' command enables Layer 3 routing on a multilayer switch, allowing SVIs to route traffic between VLANs. Without this command, the switch operates only at Layer 2, and SVIs cannot forward packets between VLANs.
Related concept
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
- ✗
Configure a routing protocol such as OSPF or EIGRP on the SVIs.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because routing protocols are used to exchange routes with other routers, not to enable basic inter-VLAN routing on a single switch. The SVIs are directly connected networks, so no routing protocol is needed for communication between them.
- ✗
Assign IP addresses to the physical interfaces connected to the hosts.
- ✗
Create a trunk port and connect a router to perform router-on-a-stick.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because the question states that SW1 is a multilayer switch with SVIs already configured, so it can perform inter-VLAN routing internally without an external router. Router-on-a-stick is an alternative method but is not needed here.
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.
✓Enable IP routing using the 'ip routing' global configuration command.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
The 'ip routing' command enables Layer 3 routing on a multilayer switch, allowing SVIs to route traffic between VLANs. Without this command, the switch operates only at Layer 2, and SVIs cannot forward packets between VLANs.
✗Configure a routing protocol such as OSPF or EIGRP on the SVIs.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error is that routing protocols are unnecessary for directly connected networks; the switch already knows the routes to its own SVIs once IP routing is enabled.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think that inter-VLAN routing requires a dynamic routing protocol, confusing the need for routing between VLANs with the need to advertise routes to other devices.
✗Assign IP addresses to the physical interfaces connected to the hosts.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error is that physical interfaces are not used for inter-VLAN routing; SVIs are the correct Layer 3 interfaces for each VLAN.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might confuse the concept of routed ports (which are physical interfaces with IP addresses) with SVIs, thinking that assigning IPs to physical ports is necessary for routing between VLANs.
✗Create a trunk port and connect a router to perform router-on-a-stick.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error is that a multilayer switch with SVIs can route between VLANs natively; adding an external router is unnecessary and would be a different design.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may default to the router-on-a-stick method because it is a common solution for inter-VLAN routing, forgetting that multilayer switches can do it internally with SVIs.
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: OSPF can fail even when IP connectivity looks correct
OSPF neighbour formation depends on matching areas, timers, network type, authentication and passive-interface behaviour. Do not choose an answer only because the devices can ping.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
OSPF questions usually test the details that control adjacency and route selection. Read the neighbour state, area, router ID and interface configuration before deciding what is wrong.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
- Router ID selection can affect neighbour relationships and LSDB output.
- OSPF cost influences the preferred path.
- A route can appear in OSPF information but not become the installed route.
TExam Day Tips
- Check area mismatch first when OSPF adjacency fails.
- Review passive interfaces when a network is advertised but no neighbour forms.
- Use show ip ospf neighbor and show ip route clues carefully.
Key takeaway
OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A network engineer at a university connects two campus buildings via a fibre link. Both routers run OSPF, but no adjacency forms — even though both routers can ping each other. The engineer finds one router is in area 0 and the other in area 1. OSPF adjacency requires matching area numbers, hello/dead timers, and network type. IP reachability alone is not enough.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related 200-301 OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
- →
Switching and Network Access — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Switching and Network Access practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All 200-301 questions
1,819 questions across all exam domains
- →
CCNA 200-301 v2 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
200-301 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related 200-301 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Network Infrastructure and Connectivity practice questions
Practise 200-301 questions linked to Network Infrastructure and Connectivity.
Switching and Network Access practice questions
Practise 200-301 questions linked to Switching and Network Access.
IP Routing practice questions
Practise 200-301 questions linked to IP Routing.
Network Services and Security practice questions
Practise 200-301 questions linked to Network Services and Security.
AI and Network Operations practice questions
Practise 200-301 questions linked to AI and Network Operations.
CCNA subnetting practice questions
Practise IPv4 subnetting, CIDR, masks, host ranges and subnet selection.
CCNA OSPF practice questions
Practise OSPF neighbours, router IDs, metrics, areas and routing-table interpretation.
CCNA VLAN practice questions
Practise VLANs, access ports, trunks, allowed VLANs and switching scenarios.
CCNA STP practice questions
Practise spanning tree, root bridge election, port roles and STP troubleshooting.
CCNA EtherChannel practice questions
Practise LACP, PAgP, port-channel behaviour and bundle requirements.
CCNA ACL practice questions
Practise standard and extended ACLs, permit/deny logic and traffic filtering.
CCNA NAT practice questions
Practise static NAT, dynamic NAT, PAT and inside/outside address translation.
Practice this exam
Start a free 200-301 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
Switching and Network Access — This question tests Switching and Network Access — OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable IP routing using the 'ip routing' global configuration command. — The 'ip routing' command enables Layer 3 routing on the multilayer switch, allowing SVIs to route between VLAN 10 and VLAN 20. Option B is unnecessary because directly connected SVIs do not require a routing protocol; routing protocols are only needed for routes learned from other routers, and 'ip routing' must still be enabled. Option C would require converting the physical interfaces to routed ports, which would break the existing Layer 2 VLAN topology and is not the intended solution. Option D provides an external router-on-a-stick solution but does not enable routing on SW1 itself, which is the required task. Therefore, only option A correctly enables inter-VLAN routing on SW1.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related 200-301 OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
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 →
Last reviewed: Jun 7, 2026
This 200-301 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-301 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.