The answer is that an unauthorized device with a different MAC address triggered a port-security violation, placing the port in an error-disabled state. This is correct because the output shows the port status as “Secure-shutdown,” which is the direct indicator of an err-disabled state caused by a security violation. The “Last Source Address” (aaaa.bbbb.cccc) does not match the configured sticky MAC address, and the violation counter reads 3, confirming that multiple frames from an unknown source were detected, exceeding the allowed maximum. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this scenario tests your ability to interpret the show port-security interface output and distinguish between a shutdown, restrict, or protect violation mode. A common trap is confusing “Secure-shutdown” with a normal administrative shutdown; remember that “Secure-shutdown” always means the port was error-disabled by port security. Memory tip: “Secure-shutdown = Security shut it down” — if you see that status, look for the last source address and violation count to confirm the intruder.
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.
Exhibit
SW1# show port-security interface GigabitEthernet0/5
Port Security : Enabled
Port Status : Secure-shutdown
Violation Mode : Shutdown
Aging Time : 0 mins
Aging Type : Absolute
SecureStatic Address Aging : Disabled
Maximum MAC Addresses : 1
Total MAC Addresses : 1
Configured MAC Addresses : 0
Sticky MAC Addresses : 1
Last Source Address:Vlan : aaaa.bbbb.cccc:10
Security Violation Count : 3
Refer to the exhibit. A network engineer notices that a user connected to GigabitEthernet0/5 cannot access the network. The engineer issues the show port-security interface GigabitEthernet0/5 command. Based on the output, what is the most likely cause of the issue?
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.
SW1# show port-security interface GigabitEthernet0/5
Port Security : Enabled
Port Status : Secure-shutdown
Violation Mode : Shutdown
Aging Time : 0 mins
Aging Type : Absolute
SecureStatic Address Aging : Disabled
Maximum MAC Addresses : 1
Total MAC Addresses : 1
Configured MAC Addresses : 0
Sticky MAC Addresses : 1
Last Source Address:Vlan : aaaa.bbbb.cccc:10
Security Violation Count : 3
A
The interface is administratively shut down.
Why wrong: The port status 'Secure-shutdown' indicates an error-disabled state due to port-security, not an administrative shutdown. An administratively down port would show a different status such as 'Disabled'.
B
An unauthorized device with a different MAC address was connected, triggering a port-security violation and placing the port in an error-disabled state.
The output shows 'Port Status: Secure-shutdown' after a violation, a violation count of 3, and the 'Last Source Address' (aaaa.bbbb.cccc) differing from the sticky MAC. This confirms an unauthorized MAC triggered the violation and shut down the port.
C
The sticky MAC address feature is disabled, allowing any MAC address to cause a violation.
Why wrong: The exhibit shows 'Sticky MAC Addresses: 1', indicating a sticky MAC address is configured and the feature is enabled.
D
The maximum number of secure MAC addresses has been exceeded, causing the port to err-disable.
Why wrong: The output shows 'Maximum MAC Addresses: 1' and 'Total MAC Addresses: 1', meaning the limit is exactly met, not exceeded. The violation is caused by a MAC mismatch, not by exceeding the address limit.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
An unauthorized device with a different MAC address was connected, triggering a port-security violation and placing the port in an error-disabled state.
The exhibit shows the port status as 'Secure-shutdown', which indicates the port has been error-disabled due to a port-security violation. The 'Last Source Address' (aaaa.bbbb.cccc) is different from the sticky MAC address, and the violation count is 3, proving an unauthorized device attempted to connect, causing the shutdown.
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.
✗
The interface is administratively shut down.
Why it's wrong here
The port status 'Secure-shutdown' indicates an error-disabled state due to port-security, not an administrative shutdown. An administratively down port would show a different status such as 'Disabled'.
✓
An unauthorized device with a different MAC address was connected, triggering a port-security violation and placing the port in an error-disabled state.
Why this is correct
The output shows 'Port Status: Secure-shutdown' after a violation, a violation count of 3, and the 'Last Source Address' (aaaa.bbbb.cccc) differing from the sticky MAC. This confirms an unauthorized MAC triggered the violation and shut down the port.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✗
The sticky MAC address feature is disabled, allowing any MAC address to cause a violation.
Why it's wrong here
The exhibit shows 'Sticky MAC Addresses: 1', indicating a sticky MAC address is configured and the feature is enabled.
✗
The maximum number of secure MAC addresses has been exceeded, causing the port to err-disable.
Why it's wrong here
The output shows 'Maximum MAC Addresses: 1' and 'Total MAC Addresses: 1', meaning the limit is exactly met, not exceeded. The violation is caused by a MAC mismatch, not by exceeding the address limit.
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.
✓An unauthorized device with a different MAC address was connected, triggering a port-security violation and placing the port in an error-disabled state.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
The output shows 'Port Status: Secure-shutdown' after a violation, a violation count of 3, and the 'Last Source Address' (aaaa.bbbb.cccc) differing from the sticky MAC. This confirms an unauthorized MAC triggered the violation and shut down the port.
✗The interface is administratively shut down.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A common misconception is that any down state is an admin shutdown, but Cisco IOS distinguishes 'Secure-shutdown' for port-security errdisable from 'administratively down'.
✗The sticky MAC address feature is disabled, allowing any MAC address to cause a violation.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Some candidates misread the output and assume sticky is off, but the presence of a sticky MAC count proves it is active.
✗The maximum number of secure MAC addresses has been exceeded, causing the port to err-disable.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
It is tempting to assume any violation with maximum 1 is due to exceeding the limit, but in this case the secure MAC is the original sticky address, and the violation is from a different unauthorized MAC, which still respects the limit count but fails the authorization check.
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
The port status 'Secure-shutdown' indicates an error-disabled state due to port-security, not an administrative shutdown. An administratively down port would show a different status such as 'Disabled'.
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 junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
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 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.
Switching and Network Access — This question tests Switching and Network Access — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: An unauthorized device with a different MAC address was connected, triggering a port-security violation and placing the port in an error-disabled state. — The exhibit shows the port status as 'Secure-shutdown', which indicates the port has been error-disabled due to a port-security violation. The 'Last Source Address' (aaaa.bbbb.cccc) is different from the sticky MAC address, and the violation count is 3, proving an unauthorized device attempted to connect, causing the shutdown.
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.
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?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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