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CCNA ACL Questions

33 questions · ACL topic · All types, answers revealed

1
PBQhard

You are connected to R1 via the console. An extended ACL named BLOCK_SMTP has been applied inbound on interface GigabitEthernet0/1, but users on the 192.168.10.0/24 network cannot send email to the SMTP server at 203.0.113.10. Additionally, the ACL is blocking all other traffic that should be permitted. Examine the running configuration and fix the ACL so that SMTP traffic (TCP port 25) from the 192.168.10.0/24 network to the SMTP server is permitted, and all other IP traffic is allowed.

Hints

  • The ACL is applied inbound on G0/1, so the source is the internal network.
  • The current ACL denies all SMTP traffic; you need to permit SMTP from the specific source network to the SMTP server before the deny.
  • Remember to remove the old ACL and create a new one with the correct order of entries.
A.permit tcp 192.168.10.0 0.0.0.255 host 203.0.113.10 eq 25 deny tcp any any eq 25 permit ip any any
B.permit tcp any any eq 25 deny tcp 192.168.10.0 0.0.0.255 host 203.0.113.10 eq 25 permit ip any any
C.deny tcp any any eq 25 permit tcp 192.168.10.0 0.0.0.255 host 203.0.113.10 eq 25 permit ip any any
D.permit tcp 192.168.10.0 0.0.0.255 host 203.0.113.10 eq 25 permit ip any any deny tcp any any eq 25
AnswerA
solution
! R1
configure terminal
no ip access-list extended BLOCK_SMTP
ip access-list extended BLOCK_SMTP
permit tcp 192.168.10.0 0.0.0.255 host 203.0.113.10 eq 25
deny tcp any any eq 25
permit ip any any
end

Why this answer

It permits SMTP from 192.168.10.0/24 to the SMTP server, then denies all other SMTP traffic, and finally permits all other IP traffic. Option B is wrong because it places a general permit for any SMTP before the specific deny, meaning all SMTP is permitted regardless of source/destination. Option C is wrong because it denies all SMTP first, so the subsequent specific permit for the user network is never reached.

Option D is wrong because the order permits the specific SMTP, then permits all IP traffic (including other SMTP), then denies SMTP—the permit ip any any before the deny makes the deny unreachable for all traffic, allowing all SMTP.

Exam trap

Remember that ACLs are processed sequentially; the first match wins. A common mistake is to place a general permit or deny before a specific statement, causing the specific statement to never be evaluated. Always order ACL entries from most specific to most general.

Why the other options are wrong

B

The order of ACL entries is crucial; the first match is applied. Here, the permit any any matches all SMTP before the deny can block the specific traffic.

C

The deny any any matches all SMTP, so the subsequent permit for the specific source/destination is never reached.

D

The permit ip any any matches all traffic, so the subsequent deny for SMTP is never applied.

2
PBQhard

You are connected to R1. The network has two routers (R1, R2) and a switch (SW1) in between. R1's G0/0 connects to SW1 (192.168.1.1/24), SW1 connects to R2's G0/0 (192.168.1.2/24). R2 has a loopback (Lo0: 203.0.113.1/32) used as a management address. Configure an extended ACL on R1 so that only SSH (TCP/22) traffic from the 10.0.0.0/24 network is permitted to reach R2's loopback; all other traffic to that loopback must be denied. Then apply the ACL in the correct direction on the correct interface.

Hints

  • The source network is 10.0.0.0/24; use the correct wildcard mask.
  • The destination is a single host IP; use the 'host' keyword.
  • The ACL must be applied to the interface where traffic from 10.0.0.0/24 enters R1.
A.access-list 100 permit tcp 10.0.0.0 0.0.0.255 host 203.0.113.1 eq 22 access-list 100 deny ip any host 203.0.113.1 interface GigabitEthernet0/1 ip access-group 100 in
B.access-list 100 permit tcp 10.0.0.0 0.0.0.255 host 203.0.113.1 eq 22 access-list 100 deny ip any host 203.0.113.1 interface GigabitEthernet0/0 ip access-group 100 out
C.access-list 100 permit tcp 10.0.0.0 0.0.0.255 host 203.0.113.1 eq 22 interface GigabitEthernet0/1 ip access-group 100 in
D.access-list 100 permit tcp 10.0.0.0 0.0.0.255 host 203.0.113.1 eq 22 access-list 100 deny ip any any interface GigabitEthernet0/1 ip access-group 100 in
AnswerA
solution
! R1
access-list 100 permit tcp 10.0.0.0 0.0.0.255 host 203.0.113.1 eq 22
access-list 100 deny ip any host 203.0.113.1
 permit ip any any
interface gigabitEthernet 0/1
ip access-group 100 in

Why this answer

The current configuration has no ACL restricting traffic to R2's loopback. The candidate must create an extended ACL that permits TCP from 10.0.0.0/24 to host 203.0.113.1 eq 22, then deny all other IP traffic to that host. The ACL must be applied inbound on R1's G0/1 (facing the 10.0.0.0/24 network) to filter traffic before it enters R1.

Applying outbound on G0/0 would also work, but inbound on G0/1 is more efficient and typical. The implicit deny at the end of the ACL blocks all other traffic to the loopback.

Exam trap

Be careful with ACL placement: inbound on the source-facing interface is more efficient and standard. Also, remember that extended ACLs should be placed as close to the source as possible. Do not rely solely on the implicit deny; explicit denies are often required in exam answers.

Avoid using overly broad deny statements that affect more traffic than intended.

Why the other options are wrong

B

The ACL is applied outbound on G0/0 instead of inbound on G0/1. Although it may achieve the goal, it is not the most efficient placement and may not be the expected answer in a PBQ.

C

Missing the explicit deny statement. The implicit deny at the end of the ACL will block other traffic, but the question expects an explicit deny for clarity and completeness.

D

The deny statement is too broad; it denies all IP traffic, not just traffic to the loopback. The correct deny should be specific to the loopback host.

3
Drag & Dropmedium

Drag and drop the following steps into the correct order to plan, configure, and apply an extended ACL that permits only HTTP traffic from the 192.168.1.0/24 network to the server 10.0.0.10, applied inbound on interface GigabitEthernet0/1.

Drag steps to the numbered slots on the right, or tap a step then tap a slot.

Steps
Order
1Step 1
2Step 2
3Step 3
4Step 4

Why this order

After entering config mode, create the ACL to allow HTTP from the specified network to the server. Apply it inbound on the correct interface. Then exit and verify.

Exam trap

A common trap is applying the ACL to an interface before creating it, or verifying before applying. Remember: create first, then apply, then verify. Also, ensure the ACL is applied in the correct direction (inbound) on the correct interface.

4
MCQhard

Why is an extended ACL usually placed close to the source of the traffic being filtered?

A.Because standard ACLs cannot be applied near the destination
B.To stop unwanted traffic earlier and conserve bandwidth
C.To make NAT translation easier on inside interfaces
D.Because extended ACLs only work inbound on access interfaces
AnswerB

Extended ACLs filter based on source, destination, protocol, and port, so placing them close to the source prevents unwanted packets from traversing the network. This conserves bandwidth on intermediate links and reduces CPU load on downstream routers. Filtering earlier is the core reason for this design guidance, as traffic is dropped before it costs resources.

Why this answer

Extended ACLs can filter by source, destination, and protocol. Placing them near the source drops unwanted traffic before it crosses more of the network.

Exam trap

Remember that ACLs are processed by network devices, not end devices, and their placement affects traffic flow, not the ACL's complexity or dynamic capabilities.

Why the other options are wrong

A

Standard ACLs can be applied near the destination or source, but the placement guidance for extended ACLs is based on their ability to filter on source and destination IP addresses and ports, not on limitations of standard ACLs. The reason for placing extended ACLs near the source is to filter traffic early, not because standard ACLs cannot be applied near the destination.

C

NAT translation is typically performed on routers or firewalls at network boundaries, and ACL placement for filtering is independent of NAT configuration. Placing an extended ACL near the source does not directly affect NAT translation; NAT uses its own rules and is not a factor in ACL placement decisions.

D

Extended ACLs can be applied inbound or outbound on any interface, not just inbound on access interfaces. The statement is factually incorrect; extended ACLs are versatile and can be placed in various locations depending on the filtering requirements.

5
PBQmedium

You are connected to R1 via the console. R1 connects two networks: GigabitEthernet0/0 (192.168.1.1/24) and GigabitEthernet0/1 (192.168.2.1/24). Create an extended ACL named BLOCK_HTTP that denies HTTP traffic (tcp port 80) from the 192.168.1.0/24 network to the 192.168.2.0/24 network, but permits all other IP traffic. Apply this ACL inbound on GigabitEthernet0/0.

Network Topology
G0/0192.168.1.1/24G0/1192.168.2.1/24HostsLAN AR1LAN BWeb servers

Hints

  • Use the 'ip access-list extended' command to create a named ACL.
  • The deny statement must specify source, destination, and protocol.
  • Apply the ACL to the interface where traffic enters.
A.ip access-list extended BLOCK_HTTP deny tcp 192.168.1.0 0.0.0.255 192.168.2.0 0.0.0.255 eq 80 permit ip any any interface GigabitEthernet0/0 ip access-group BLOCK_HTTP in
B.ip access-list extended BLOCK_HTTP deny tcp 192.168.1.0 0.0.0.255 192.168.2.0 0.0.0.255 eq 80 permit ip any any interface GigabitEthernet0/1 ip access-group BLOCK_HTTP in
C.ip access-list extended BLOCK_HTTP deny tcp 192.168.1.0 0.0.0.255 192.168.2.0 0.0.0.255 eq 80 permit ip any any interface GigabitEthernet0/0 ip access-group BLOCK_HTTP out
D.ip access-list extended BLOCK_HTTP deny tcp 192.168.1.0 0.0.0.255 192.168.2.0 0.0.0.255 eq 80 permit ip any any interface GigabitEthernet0/0 ip access-group BLOCK_HTTP in interface GigabitEthernet0/1 ip access-group BLOCK_HTTP in
AnswerA
solution
! R1
ip access-list extended BLOCK_HTTP
deny tcp 192.168.1.0 0.0.0.255 192.168.2.0 0.0.0.255 eq 80
permit ip any any
interface GigabitEthernet0/0
ip access-group BLOCK_HTTP in

Why this answer

The named extended ACL BLOCK_HTTP denies TCP port 80 from 192.168.1.0/24 to 192.168.2.0/24, then permits all other traffic. Applying it inbound on G0/0 filters traffic from LAN A before routing.

Exam trap

Pay close attention to the interface and direction specified in the question. Inbound ACLs filter traffic entering the interface, while outbound ACLs filter traffic leaving. Also, ensure the ACL is applied only on the required interface.

Why the other options are wrong

B

The ACL is applied on the wrong interface; it should be applied inbound on G0/0, not G0/1.

C

The ACL is applied in the wrong direction; it should be inbound, not outbound.

D

The ACL is applied on an extra interface (G0/1) that is not required, which may block legitimate traffic.

6
MCQhard

A named standard ACL is configured to permit only the 192.168.30.0/24 subnet, but users from 192.168.31.0/24 are still passing traffic. What is the most likely reason?

A.Standard ACLs cannot match source addresses
B.The ACL is probably applied in the wrong place or direction for the traffic flow
C.Named ACLs ignore wildcard masks
D.The deny any line must appear before the permit
AnswerB

Standard ACLs match only the source IP address, so they cannot safely filter based on destination or service. Placement and direction are therefore crucial: if the ACL is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong inbound/outbound direction, the permit statement will never be evaluated against the traffic it is meant to allow. A common mistake is applying a standard ACL too close to the source, where it may block transit traffic, or on the wrong interface, so the intended packets bypass the filter entirely.

Why this answer

Standard ACLs filter traffic based solely on the source IP address. If users from 192.168.31.0/24 are still passing traffic despite the ACL permitting only 192.168.30.0/24, the most likely reason is that the ACL is applied in the wrong place or direction. For example, if the ACL is applied inbound on an interface where traffic from 192.168.31.0/24 does not enter, or outbound on an interface where the traffic does not exit, the filter will not affect the intended flow.

The implicit deny statement denies all unmatched traffic, so if the ACL were correctly placed, traffic from 192.168.31.0/24 would be denied.

Exam trap

Remember that ACLs must be applied in the correct direction to affect traffic flow as intended.

Why the other options are wrong

A

Standard ACLs can match source addresses; they just cannot match destination addresses or port numbers. The question states the ACL is configured to permit only 192.168.30.0/24, so it is correctly matching the source.

C

Named ACLs do support wildcard masks; the wildcard mask is required when specifying the source network in both standard and extended ACLs.

D

In a standard ACL, the implicit deny any is already at the end, so adding an explicit 'deny any' before the permit would block all traffic, including the intended subnet. The correct order is permit first, then deny any is unnecessary.

7
PBQhard

You are connected to R1. The network currently permits all HTTP traffic from hosts on the 192.168.1.0/24 LAN to reach the web server at 203.0.113.10, but SSH traffic (TCP port 22) from the same LAN is being blocked. Additionally, you must ensure that no other traffic from the LAN reaches the server. Configure an extended ACL on R1 to allow only HTTP and SSH from the LAN to the server, and apply it inbound on the correct interface. Verify your solution.

Network Topology
G0/0192.168.1.1/24G0/1203.0.113.1/30hostsLAN:R1WANServer

Hints

  • The current ACL is blocking SSH but allowing everything else; you need to reverse the logic.
  • Apply the new ACL inbound on the interface facing the LAN (GigabitEthernet0/0).
  • Remember that an implicit deny all exists at the end of every ACL; do not add a permit ip any any.
A.Remove the existing ACL from the interface, delete the ACL, create a new extended ACL that permits tcp from 192.168.1.0/24 to host 203.0.113.10 for ports 80 and 22, and apply it inbound on GigabitEthernet0/0.
B.Modify the existing ACL BLOCK_SSH by adding a permit statement for HTTP and changing the deny SSH to permit SSH, then reapply it inbound on GigabitEthernet0/0.
C.Create a new extended ACL that permits tcp from 192.168.1.0/24 to host 203.0.113.10 for ports 80 and 22, and apply it inbound on GigabitEthernet0/1 (the WAN interface).
D.Create a new extended ACL that permits tcp from 192.168.1.0/24 to host 203.0.113.10 for ports 80 and 22, and apply it outbound on GigabitEthernet0/0.
AnswerA
solution
! R1
interface GigabitEthernet0/0
no ip access-group BLOCK_SSH in
exit
no ip access-list extended BLOCK_SSH
ip access-list extended LAN_TO_SERVER
permit tcp 192.168.1.0 0.0.0.255 host 203.0.113.10 eq 80
permit tcp 192.168.1.0 0.0.0.255 host 203.0.113.10 eq 22
exit
interface GigabitEthernet0/0
ip access-group LAN_TO_SERVER in
end

Why this answer

The existing ACL BLOCK_SSH is applied inbound on GigabitEthernet0/0 and explicitly denies SSH from the LAN to the server, but permits all other IP traffic (including HTTP). The requirement is to allow only HTTP and SSH, blocking everything else. The solution is to remove the current ACL from the interface, delete the ACL, create a new extended ACL that permits tcp from the LAN to the server for ports 80 (HTTP) and 22 (SSH), and implicitly deny all other traffic, then reapply it inbound on GigabitEthernet0/0.

Exam trap

The trap is that candidates may try to modify the existing ACL without realizing it contains a permit ip any any statement that would still allow all traffic. Also, they may apply the ACL on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction. Always check the existing ACL entries and apply ACLs inbound on the interface closest to the source.

Why the other options are wrong

B

The specific factual error is that the existing ACL contains a permit ip any any statement that would override any specific denies, allowing all traffic.

C

The specific factual error is that ACLs should be applied inbound on the interface where the traffic enters the router, not on the outbound interface towards the destination.

D

The specific factual error is that outbound ACLs filter traffic exiting the interface, but the traffic from LAN to server enters the router via GigabitEthernet0/0 and exits via another interface (e.g., WAN). An outbound ACL on GigabitEthernet0/0 would not affect traffic going to the server.

8
MCQmedium

A router is configured with an access list intended to block Telnet from 192.168.10.0/24 to 10.1.1.10, but Telnet still works. What is the most likely reason?

A.The ACL must use wildcard mask 255.255.255.0 instead of 0.0.0.255
B.The ACL is applied in the wrong place or direction
C.Standard ACLs should always be used for Telnet filtering
D.The router must run PAT before ACLs can filter Telnet
AnswerB

This is an attachment problem, not a syntax problem: the ACL itself may be perfectly valid, but it is not doing its job because it is bound to the wrong interface or direction. To filter Telnet into the router, the ACL must be applied to the VTY lines with the access-class command; to filter transit traffic, it must be applied to the correct interface with the proper inbound or outbound keyword. A misapplied ACL is effectively invisible to traffic, which is why the filter appears to have no effect.

Why this answer

The most common reason an ACL fails to block traffic is incorrect application—either it is applied to the wrong interface or in the wrong direction. For Telnet traffic from 192.168.10.0/24 to 10.1.1.10, the ACL must be applied inbound on the interface closest to the source or outbound on the interface closest to the destination. Option A is incorrect because the wildcard mask 0.0.0.255 is correct for matching the 192.168.10.0/24 network; 255.255.255.0 is a subnet mask, not a wildcard mask.

Option C is false—standard ACLs can only filter by source IP and cannot match the destination port (Telnet), so an extended ACL is actually required. Option D is unrelated; PAT (Port Address Translation) has no bearing on whether an ACL can filter Telnet traffic.

Exam trap

Cisco often tests the concept that an ACL's effectiveness depends on its placement and direction, not just its content, and the trap here is that candidates focus on the wildcard mask or ACL type while overlooking the fundamental requirement of correct application.

Why the other options are wrong

A

The wildcard mask 255.255.255.0 would match only the exact host 192.168.10.0, not the entire /24 subnet. Cisco ACLs use wildcard masks where 0 means match and 1 means ignore; for a /24, the correct mask is 0.0.0.255.

C

Standard ACLs can only filter based on source IP address and cannot match specific protocols like Telnet (TCP port 23) or destination addresses. Extended ACLs are required to filter Telnet traffic from a specific source to a specific destination.

D

PAT (Port Address Translation) is unrelated to ACL filtering. ACLs operate independently of NAT/PAT; they filter traffic based on Layer 3 and Layer 4 information regardless of whether translation is configured.

9
Drag & Dropmedium

Drag and drop the following steps into the correct order to plan, configure, and apply an extended ACL that blocks Telnet traffic from the 192.168.1.0/24 network to the 10.0.0.0/24 network, applied inbound on the interface facing the source.

Drag steps to the numbered slots on the right, or tap a step then tap a slot.

Steps
Order
1Step 1
2Step 2
3Step 3
4Step 4

Why this order

First, global config, then create ACL with deny and permit statements (order matters: deny first), then enter the source-facing interface and apply inbound; applying before creating ACL would fail.

Exam trap

Watch out for the order of ACL statements: deny must come before permit. Also, remember that ACLs must be created before they can be applied to an interface. Do not forget the implicit deny at the end of every ACL.

10
Multi-Selectmedium

Which TWO statements correctly describe the behavior of standard ACLs and their placement on interfaces?

Select 2 answers
A.Standard ACLs filter traffic based on source IP address only.
B.Standard ACLs should be placed as close to the source as possible.
C.Standard ACLs can filter traffic based on destination IP address.
D.Standard ACLs should be placed as close to the destination as possible.
E.Standard ACLs can filter traffic based on TCP or UDP port numbers.
AnswersA, D

Standard ACLs are the simplest type of IP access list: they match a packet solely by its source IPv4 address (using an optional wildcard mask) and permit or deny it, ignoring all other header fields. The ACL does not inspect the destination address, protocol number, or TCP/UDP ports, which is why they are less flexible than extended ACLs. This behavior makes them suitable for filtering based on the origin of traffic and for basic source‑based policy, but they cannot enforce granular application‑level controls.

Why this answer

Standard ACLs filter traffic based solely on the source IP address, using numbers 1–99 or 1300–1999 in classic Cisco IOS. They do not consider destination IP, protocol, or port numbers. Because they lack granularity, placing them close to the destination (option D) prevents them from inadvertently blocking traffic that should be permitted, as they cannot distinguish between traffic destined for different services on the same destination host.

Exam trap

Cisco often tests the misconception that standard ACLs should be placed close to the source (like extended ACLs), when in fact standard ACLs lack the granularity to do so safely and must be placed near the destination.

Why the other options are wrong

B

Standard ACLs filter only on source IP, so placing them close to the source can block traffic destined to other networks that should be allowed. The correct placement is close to the destination to minimize unintended filtering.

C

Standard ACLs do not examine destination IP addresses; they only match on source IP addresses. Filtering by destination requires an extended ACL.

E

Standard ACLs operate at Layer 3 and cannot examine Layer 4 information such as TCP or UDP port numbers. Port-based filtering requires an extended ACL.

11
Multi-Selectmedium

Which TWO statements are true regarding the configuration and placement of standard and extended ACLs on a router?

Select 2 answers
A.Standard ACLs are typically placed closest to the source of the traffic.
B.Extended ACLs are typically placed closest to the source of the traffic.
C.A wildcard mask of 0.0.0.0 in an ACL matches all bits of the IP address.
D.A wildcard mask of 255.255.255.255 in an ACL matches all bits of the IP address.
E.Extended ACLs should be placed on the interface closest to the destination to filter traffic before it reaches the final segment.
AnswersB, C

Extended ACLs are placed closest to the source of traffic because they can filter on multiple fields such as source and destination IP, Layer 4 ports, and protocols. Filtering early at the source prevents unwanted traffic from wasting bandwidth and router CPU resources across the entire network path. This placement also ensures that the more specific extended criteria are applied as soon as traffic enters the network, making the filtering efficient and effective.

Why this answer

Extended ACLs evaluate multiple criteria (source/destination IP, port, protocol), so placing them closest to the source prevents unwanted traffic from consuming bandwidth across the network. Option C is correct because a wildcard mask of 0.0.0.0 means all 32 bits must match, matching a single host. Option A is incorrect—standard ACLs are placed closest to the destination, not the source.

Option D is incorrect—a wildcard mask of 255.255.255.255 matches any address (ignores all bits), not all bits. Option E is incorrect—extended ACLs placed near the destination would not conserve bandwidth; they should be near the source.

Exam trap

Cisco often tests the misconception that standard ACLs should be placed close to the source, when in fact extended ACLs are placed close to the source and standard ACLs close to the destination.

Why the other options are wrong

A

Standard ACLs filter only on source IP address, so placing them close to the source can block traffic that should be allowed to other destinations, causing unnecessary denial of service.

D

A wildcard mask of 255.255.255.255 means 'ignore all bits,' so it matches any IP address, equivalent to the 'any' keyword. It does not match all bits.

E

Extended ACLs are more effective when placed near the source to filter unwanted traffic early, not near the destination. Placing them near the destination allows unwanted traffic to traverse the network unnecessarily.

12
MCQhard

An ACL is intended to block Telnet from 10.1.1.0/24 to router VTY access while still allowing SSH from the same subnet. Which statement best explains why an extended ACL is appropriate here?

A.Because the ACL must distinguish traffic by protocol or destination port, not just by source address.
B.Because standard ACLs can match destination TCP ports just as well.
C.Because extended ACLs are required for every router login policy regardless of criteria.
D.Because SSH and Telnet always use the same port number.
AnswerA

This is correct because Telnet and SSH are both TCP-based and may originate from the same source network. A standard ACL can only filter based on source IP, so it cannot differentiate between Telnet (port 23) and SSH (port 22). An extended ACL must match the TCP destination port 23 along with source and destination addresses to block Telnet from 10.1.1.0/24 without impacting other traffic. Without this granularity, the ACL would either block all IP traffic from the source or fail to block Telnet specifically.

Why this answer

An extended ACL is appropriate because the requirement is based not only on source address but also on the specific protocol and application port involved. In practical terms, the policy must distinguish Telnet from SSH even though both originate from the same source subnet. A standard ACL would be too limited because it mainly matches only on source address.

This is the kind of requirement that shows why extended ACLs exist. They allow more granular traffic control by matching protocol and destination details, not just who sent the packet.

Exam trap

Do not confuse the ability to filter by protocol and port with filtering by IP address alone; extended ACLs are required for the former.

Why the other options are wrong

B

Standard ACLs can only filter based on source IP address, not destination ports or protocols. They lack the granularity to distinguish between Telnet and SSH traffic.

C

Extended ACLs are not required for every router login policy; they are only needed when filtering must consider protocol or port information. Simple source-based filtering can use standard ACLs.

D

SSH uses TCP port 22, while Telnet uses TCP port 23. They are distinct ports, so an ACL can differentiate them based on destination port.

13
MCQhard

Refer to the exhibit. A network administrator is troubleshooting connectivity issues. Hosts on the 192.168.10.0/24 network cannot reach servers on the 192.168.20.0/24 network, but they can successfully reach other networks, including the Internet. The administrator runs the show ip access-lists command on the router (output shown). What is the most likely cause?

A.The ACL is applied in the wrong direction on the interface.
B.The ACL is missing a permit statement for the 192.168.20.0/24 destination.
C.The order of the ACL entries causes the deny statement to match first.
D.The implicit deny at the end is blocking the traffic to 192.168.20.0/24.
AnswerC

Extended IP access list 110 processes entries sequentially. Entry 10 denies traffic from 192.168.10.0/24 to 192.168.20.0/24, and entry 20 permits the same source to any destination. Because the deny is listed first, it is matched before the permit, causing the traffic to be dropped.

Why this answer

The ACL is processed top-down, and the first matching entry determines the action. In this scenario, the deny statement for 192.168.10.0/24 to 192.168.20.0/24 appears before any permit statement for that traffic, so packets from the 192.168.10.0/24 network to the 192.168.20.0/24 network are denied immediately, even if a later permit statement would have allowed them. This explains why hosts can reach other networks (including the Internet) but not the 192.168.20.0/24 servers.

Exam trap

Cisco often tests the concept of ACL order of operations, where candidates mistakenly think that a later permit statement will override an earlier deny, or that the implicit deny is the culprit when an explicit deny is actually matching first.

Why the other options are wrong

A

Candidates may assume any ACL misbehavior is due to wrong interface direction, ignoring that the specific symptom (only 192.168.20.0 is unreachable) points to the deny rule itself.

B

Candidates often focus on what an ACL ‘lacks’ rather than the sequence, missing that the existing permit any covers the destination but is shadowed by the earlier deny.

D

Candidates might recall that all ACLs have an implicit deny, but they fail to realize that a packet matching an earlier deny is already discarded, and the implicit deny only applies to unmatched traffic.

14
PBQhard

You are connected to R1, a branch router. Configure an extended ACL named BRANCH_IN that permits only HTTP (TCP port 80) traffic from the internal network 192.168.1.0/24 to the web server at 203.0.113.10, and permits ICMP echo-reply from any source to any destination. Apply the ACL inbound on the interface facing the internal network. Then verify that only the specified traffic is allowed.

Network Topology
G0/0192.168.1.1/24G0/1203.0.113.2/30HostsInternal LANR1ISPWeb Server

Hints

  • The ACL is defined but not yet applied to an interface.
  • Consider which direction traffic from the internal network flows relative to the interface.
  • Use 'ip access-group' under the correct interface configuration mode.
A.ip access-list extended BRANCH_IN permit tcp 192.168.1.0 0.0.0.255 host 203.0.113.10 eq 80 permit icmp any any echo-reply ! interface GigabitEthernet0/0 ip access-group BRANCH_IN in
B.ip access-list extended BRANCH_IN permit tcp 192.168.1.0 0.0.0.255 host 203.0.113.10 eq 80 permit icmp any any echo-reply ! interface GigabitEthernet0/0 ip access-group BRANCH_IN out
C.ip access-list extended BRANCH_IN permit tcp 192.168.1.0 0.0.0.255 host 203.0.113.10 eq 80 permit icmp any any ! interface GigabitEthernet0/0 ip access-group BRANCH_IN in
D.ip access-list extended BRANCH_IN permit tcp 192.168.1.0 0.0.0.255 host 203.0.113.10 eq 80 permit icmp any any echo-reply ! interface GigabitEthernet0/0 ip access-group BRANCH_IN in ! interface GigabitEthernet0/1 ip access-group BRANCH_IN in
AnswerA
solution
! R1
interface GigabitEthernet0/0
ip access-group BRANCH_IN in

Why this answer

It creates an extended ACL that permits TCP port 80 from the internal 192.168.1.0/24 to the web server 203.0.113.10 and permits only ICMP echo-reply, then applies it inbound on the internal interface G0/0, matching the requirement. Option B is wrong because the ACL is applied outbound on G0/0, but traffic from internal hosts to the web server exits via the WAN interface (G0/1), not G0/0. Option C is wrong because it permits all ICMP (any any) instead of only echo-reply, allowing unnecessary ICMP traffic.

Option D is wrong because it applies the ACL inbound on both G0/0 and G0/1; applying it on G0/1 would incorrectly filter inbound traffic from the ISP, potentially blocking the web server's responses.

Exam trap

Pay close attention to the direction of traffic flow. The ACL must be applied inbound on the interface that receives traffic from the internal network. Also, be precise with ICMP types: 'echo-reply' is the response to a ping, not the initial echo request.

Why the other options are wrong

B

The ACL is applied in the wrong direction. Applying it outbound would filter traffic leaving the interface, not entering it.

C

The ACL permits all ICMP traffic instead of only echo-reply. This violates the requirement to permit only ICMP echo-reply.

D

Applying the ACL to an additional interface (G0/1) is unnecessary and may cause unintended filtering. The requirement specifies only one interface.

15
Drag & Dropmedium

Which of the following sequences correctly orders the steps to plan, configure, and apply an extended ACL that permits HTTP traffic from the 192.168.1.0/24 subnet to the server at 10.0.0.1, and deny all other IP traffic, applied inbound on interface GigabitEthernet0/1?

Drag steps to the numbered slots on the right, or tap a step then tap a slot.

Steps
Order
1Step 1
2Step 2
3Step 3
4Step 4

Why this order

First enter global config, then create ACL with permit statement, then deny all, then enter interface, then apply ACL inbound.

Exam trap

Be careful with the order of ACL entries: always place more specific permits before general denies. Also, remember that ACLs must be created before they can be applied, and the direction (inbound/outbound) must match the requirement.

16
MCQhard

A network engineer notices that hosts in the 192.168.2.0/24 network connected to router R1's GigabitEthernet0/1 interface cannot reach the Internet. R1 has a standard ACL 10 configured as 'access-list 10 permit 192.168.1.0 0.0.0.255' and applied inbound on interface GigabitEthernet0/0, which connects to the 192.168.1.0/24 LAN. What is the most likely cause?

A.The implicit deny at the end of ACL 10 is blocking all outbound traffic from the 192.168.2.0/24 network.
B.The ACL is filtering return traffic from the Internet that enters G0/0, because it is applied inbound on that interface instead of outbound.
C.The router is not performing inter-VLAN routing between the 192.168.1.0 and 192.168.2.0 networks.
D.The ACL is missing a permit statement for the 192.168.2.0/24 network to allow traffic from that subnet.
AnswerB

Inbound ACLs on G0/0 inspect packets arriving from the Internet. The ACL permits only source 192.168.1.0/24, so return packets from Internet hosts with random source IPs are denied by the implicit deny, breaking connectivity for 192.168.2.0/24 hosts.

Why this answer

ACL 10 is applied inbound on GigabitEthernet0/0, which connects to the 192.168.1.0/24 LAN. When traffic from the Internet returns to hosts in the 192.168.2.0/24 network, it enters G0/0 inbound and is evaluated against ACL 10, which only permits source addresses from 192.168.1.0/24. The implicit deny at the end of the ACL then blocks all return traffic destined for 192.168.2.0/24, preventing those hosts from reaching the Internet.

Exam trap

The trap here is that candidates often assume ACLs filter outbound traffic from the local network, but Cisco tests the nuance that an inbound ACL on the WAN-facing interface filters return traffic, not the original outbound traffic.

Why the other options are wrong

A

Misunderstanding of ACL direction leads candidates to think that the implicit deny blocks any traffic leaving the interface.

C

Confusing ACL filtering with routing functionality; ACLs do not prevent the router from routing between connected subnets unless they explicitly deny the traffic on the appropriate interface and direction.

D

Candidates often try to add a permit for the source subnet of the initiating traffic, neglecting the direction of the ACL. Because the ACL is inbound on the egress interface, outbound traffic is not filtered.

17
MCQmedium

An ACL entry reads: access-list 25 permit 192.168.8.0 0.0.0.15 Which address range does this statement match?

A.192.168.8.0 through 192.168.8.15
B.192.168.8.0 through 192.168.8.31
C.192.168.8.0 through 192.168.8.7
D.Only host 192.168.8.15
AnswerA

The wildcard mask 0.0.0.15 (binary 00000000.00000000.00000000.00001111) fixes the first 28 bits and allows the last 4 bits of the fourth octet to vary. Because the network portion is 192.168.8.0, these 4 variable bits produce every address from .0 (00000000) to .15 (00001111), inclusive. Thus this ACL entry matches exactly the 16 addresses 192.168.8.0 through 192.168.8.15.

Why this answer

A wildcard of 0.0.0.15 means the last 4 bits can vary, which corresponds to a block size of 16 addresses. Starting at 192.168.8.0, the range is 192.168.8.0 through 192.168.8.15.

Exam trap

Be careful not to confuse the block size determined by the wildcard mask with a full subnet or miscalculate the starting address.

Why the other options are wrong

C

This range uses a wildcard mask of 0.0.0.7, not 0.0.0.15.

18
MCQhard

Refer to the exhibit. An administrator is trying to access a web server in the DMZ at 192.168.1.10 using HTTPS, but the connection times out. The web server is confirmed to be running and listening on both port 80 and port 443. The administrator examines the access list configuration on the perimeter router. Based on the output of the show access-lists command, what is the most likely cause of the failure?

A.The access list does not include a permit statement for TCP port 443.
B.The access list is applied in the wrong direction on the interface.
C.The web server is not actually listening on TCP port 443, despite the configuration.
D.The 'deny ip any any log' statement at the end of the access list is blocking the HTTPS traffic, so it must be removed.
AnswerA

The access list only has a single permit statement for the 192.168.1.0/24 network, and it matches 'eq www', which is TCP port 80. Because HTTPS uses TCP port 443, no forwarded traffic to that port is explicitly permitted, so it is dropped by the implicit deny-all rule at the end of the ACL. Even if the server is listening, the router's ACL prevents the packets from ever reaching it.

Why this answer

The access list shown in the exhibit permits TCP port 80 (HTTP) but does not include a permit statement for TCP port 443 (HTTPS). Since the administrator is trying to access the web server using HTTPS, which uses port 443, the traffic is implicitly denied by the final 'deny ip any any log' statement. This causes the connection to time out because the packets are dropped before reaching the server.

Exam trap

Cisco often tests the distinction between HTTP (port 80) and HTTPS (port 443) in ACLs, trapping candidates who assume that allowing HTTP automatically allows HTTPS or that the implicit deny only applies to non-TCP traffic.

Why the other options are wrong

B

Candidates may assume the ACL is not applied correctly, but without interface details this conclusion cannot be drawn from the given output.

C

Candidates might blame the server configuration rather than the network ACL, but the question stem provides the server state to rule this out.

D

This is a common misconception: the explicit deny is not the root cause; the missing permit is the real issue. Removing the deny without adding a permit for HTTPS would still result in the traffic being blocked by the implicit deny.

19
MCQhard

Exhibit: A standard ACL meant to block host 10.10.10.50 from reaching any remote network was applied inbound on the branch router's LAN interface, but users report that all local traffic from that host is now blocked. What is the better placement?

A.Leave it inbound on the LAN because standard ACLs belong near the source
B.Move it outbound on the WAN-facing interface closer to the destination
C.Convert it to a VTY access-class
D.Apply it inbound on all switch access ports
AnswerB

A standard ACL filters only on source IP address, so it should be applied outbound on the WAN-facing interface, as far from the source as the destination path allows. This placement blocks host 10.10.10.50 from reaching the WAN/remote side with a single rule, avoiding unnecessary processing on internal LAN interfaces. It is the recommended best practice for standard ACLs.

Why this answer

A standard ACL matches only the source address. If it is placed near the source, it can block that host from reaching destinations you did not intend to affect. Standard ACLs are best placed close to the destination.

Exam trap

A frequent exam trap is believing that standard ACLs should always be applied inbound near the source to block unwanted traffic early. Since standard ACLs filter only by source IP, placing them inbound on a LAN interface can block all traffic from that host, including local communications within the LAN. This leads to unintended network outages and user complaints.

The trap is confusing the ACL placement rule for extended ACLs, which are placed near the source, with the rule for standard ACLs, which should be placed near the destination to avoid over-blocking.

Why the other options are wrong

A

Leaving the standard ACL inbound on the LAN interface is incorrect because standard ACLs filter only by source IP, which causes all traffic from that host, including local LAN traffic, to be blocked. This disrupts local communications and is not best practice.

C

Converting the ACL to a VTY access-class is irrelevant to the question because VTY access-classes control remote management access to the router, not general traffic filtering from a host to remote networks.

D

Applying the ACL inbound on all switch access ports is impractical and inefficient. It would block traffic at multiple points unnecessarily and does not address the specific need to filter traffic from the host to remote networks.

20
PBQhard

You are connected to R1. The network has two routers (R1 and R2) connected via a serial link (S0/0/0). R1's GigabitEthernet0/0 connects to the 192.168.1.0/24 LAN. An extended ACL must be configured on R1 to permit only HTTPS traffic (TCP port 443) from host 192.168.1.10 to server 203.0.113.5 (reachable via R2), and deny all other traffic from the LAN to the server. Currently, the ACL is applied inbound on G0/0 but valid HTTPS traffic is being blocked. Troubleshoot and fix the configuration.

Hints

  • The current ACL uses 'any' source, but the requirement is to restrict to a specific host.
  • The order of ACL entries matters; the first match is applied.
  • The implicit deny at the end blocks all traffic that does not match a permit statement.
A.The ACL is missing an explicit permit statement for HTTPS traffic from host 192.168.1.10 to server 203.0.113.5, and the current permit ip any any allows all traffic, including HTTP, which violates the requirement to deny HTTP.
B.The ACL is applied inbound on G0/0, but it should be applied outbound on G0/0 to filter traffic leaving the LAN.
C.The ACL should be applied to the serial interface S0/0/0 instead of G0/0 to filter traffic going to R2.
D.The ACL is missing a deny statement for all other traffic from the LAN to the server, and the permit ip any any allows everything, including unwanted traffic.
AnswerA
solution
! R1
configure terminal
no ip access-list extended BLOCK_SERVER
ip access-list extended BLOCK_SERVER
permit tcp host 192.168.1.10 host 203.0.113.5 eq 443
deny tcp host 192.168.1.10 host 203.0.113.5 eq 80
deny ip any host 203.0.113.5
permit ip any any
end

Why this answer

Valid HTTPS is blocked because the current ACL does not have an effective ACE permitting TCP/443 from 192.168.1.10 to 203.0.113.5; the implicit deny at the end drops that traffic. A reachable `permit ip any any` would allow HTTPS, so if such an ACE appears in the configuration it is not the effective match for this flow. The correct fix adds an explicit permit for TCP 443 from the host to the server, denies HTTP and all other IP traffic from the LAN to the server, and then permits all other IP traffic.

Exam trap

Be careful not to assume that an ACL with a permit ip any any will automatically block specific traffic; it actually permits everything. The implicit deny only applies if there is no matching permit statement. Also, pay attention to the specific requirements: the ACL must deny HTTP but permit HTTPS from the host.

Why the other options are wrong

B

The direction of ACL application is correct; inbound on the interface where traffic enters the router is standard for filtering traffic from the LAN.

C

ACLs should be applied as close to the source as possible to deny traffic early. Applying on the serial interface would still work but is less efficient and not the best practice.

D

The permit ip any any allows all traffic, so HTTPS should be allowed. The problem says HTTPS is blocked, so the issue must be something else, like a missing explicit permit or a misordering.

21
Drag & Dropmedium

Drag and drop the following steps into the correct order to plan, configure, and apply an extended ACL that permits web traffic from the 10.1.1.0/24 network to the server 192.168.2.10 while blocking all other traffic inbound on GigabitEthernet0/1.

Drag steps to the numbered slots on the right, or tap a step then tap a slot.

Steps
Order
1Step 1
2Step 2
3Step 3
4Step 4

Why this order

ACL configuration requires defining permit/deny statements first, then applying to the interface inbound, and finally verification.

Exam trap

A common trap is to think that you can apply an ACL to an interface before defining it, or that verification should be done before application. Always remember: define, apply, then verify.

22
Multi-Selectmedium

Which TWO statements correctly describe the behavior of standard ACLs when applied to an interface?

Select 2 answers
A.Standard ACLs filter traffic based on source and destination IP addresses.
B.Standard ACLs should be placed as close to the destination as possible.
C.Standard ACLs can filter traffic based on protocol type (TCP, UDP, ICMP).
D.Standard ACLs use an implicit deny any statement at the end.
E.Standard ACLs are applied to interfaces in the inbound direction only.
AnswersB, D

Because standard ACLs only match the source IP address, applying them near the source can inadvertently drop traffic intended for other destinations. To minimize this risk, standard ACLs should be placed as close to the destination as possible, where the source address's reach is limited and the filter's impact is scoped. This placement reduces collateral damage to legitimate traffic that should only be filtered near the target network.

Why this answer

Standard ACLs filter traffic based solely on the source IP address, not the destination. Because they do not consider destination addresses, placing them as close to the destination as possible prevents them from inadvertently blocking traffic that should reach other parts of the network. This placement ensures that only the intended traffic is filtered at the final hop before the destination.

Exam trap

Cisco often tests the misconception that standard ACLs can filter on destination addresses or protocols, leading candidates to choose option A or C, when in fact standard ACLs only match source IP addresses and always end with an implicit deny any.

Why the other options are wrong

A

This describes the capability of extended ACLs, not standard ACLs.

C

Protocol filtering is a feature of extended ACLs, not standard ACLs.

E

Both inbound and outbound application are possible, though placement depends on the filtering strategy.

23
MCQhard

A technician is troubleshooting an issue where internal hosts can successfully ping internet addresses but cannot establish HTTP sessions. The router is configured with PAT (overload) and uses an access list to define the inside local addresses. Recently, the internal network was renumbered from 192.168.0.0/24 to 10.0.0.0/24. What is the most likely cause?

A.The router's HTTP inspection rule is blocking outbound TCP port 80.
B.The NAT access list still permits 192.168.0.0/24 and does not match the new 10.0.0.0/24 addresses.
C.The outside interface access list is blocking TCP packets from the new 10.0.0.0/24 subnet.
D.The default route has been changed to point to the wrong next-hop address, causing only HTTP packets to be dropped.
AnswerB

Because the ACL that defines inside local addresses for PAT was never updated after renumbering, no dynamic translations are created for HTTP sourced from 10.0.0.0/24.

Why this answer

The NAT access list (used with 'ip nat inside source list') still references the old 192.168.0.0/24 subnet. After renumbering to 10.0.0.0/24, the access list does not match the new inside local addresses, so PAT (overload) translation is not performed for those hosts. ICMP (ping) can still succeed if the router has a route to the internet and the packets are not translated, but HTTP sessions fail because the return traffic cannot be mapped back to the internal hosts without a NAT translation entry.

Exam trap

Cisco often tests the misconception that ping success implies full connectivity; the trap here is that ICMP can work without NAT translation if the router has a route, but TCP sessions require proper NAT entries for return traffic.

Why the other options are wrong

A

Candidates may confuse security inspection with NAT translation, assuming that a protocol‑specific inspection is needed for HTTP.

C

Tempting because an ACL could selectively block TCP; however, the question provides context about the renumbering, which directly points to the NAT configuration.

D

Candidates may assume that different protocols might take different paths, but a single default route applies uniformly to all IP traffic.

24
Drag & Dropmedium

Drag and drop the following steps into the correct order to plan, configure, and apply an extended ACL that permits only HTTP traffic from the 192.168.1.0/24 network to the server at 10.0.0.100, and then verify the configuration.

Drag steps to the numbered slots on the right, or tap a step then tap a slot.

Steps
Order
1Step 1
2Step 2
3Step 3
4Step 4

Why this order

First, enter config mode. Then create the ACL allowing HTTP from the source network to the destination host. Apply it inbound on the appropriate interface.

Save and verify the configuration.

Exam trap

Remember that ACLs are created in global configuration mode, not interface mode. Also, apply ACLs inbound on the interface closest to the source for efficiency. Pay attention to whether the requirement is to permit or deny traffic.

25
MCQeasy

An ACL on R1 contains only these entries: access-list 101 permit tcp 10.10.10.0 0.0.0.255 any eq 443 access-list 101 permit icmp any any What happens to an HTTP packet sourced from 10.10.10.25 and destined for 198.51.100.10 if ACL 101 is applied in the traffic path?

A.It is permitted because the source subnet is allowed.
B.It is denied by the implicit deny.
C.It is translated by NAT before the ACL is checked.
D.It is converted to HTTPS automatically.
AnswerB

The HTTP packet, utilising TCP port 80, does not match the first ACL entry, which specifically permits TCP traffic only for destination port 443. It also fails to match the second entry, which permits ICMP traffic. As the packet does not match any explicit `permit` statement within ACL 101, it is processed by the implicit `deny ip any any` that exists at the end of every Cisco access control list. This mechanism ensures the HTTP packet is denied.

Why this answer

HTTP uses TCP port 80, not 443. Because the ACL does not include a permit for that traffic, it is dropped by the implicit deny at the end of the ACL. The ICMP entry is irrelevant because the packet is TCP.

Exam trap

Be careful not to confuse TCP with ICMP or overlook the specific port numbers in ACL entries.

Why the other options are wrong

A

This option is wrong because the ACL only permits TCP traffic on port 443 and ICMP traffic, so an HTTP packet (port 80) from the specified source would be denied by the implicit deny rule at the end of the ACL.

C

This option is wrong because NAT does not occur before ACL evaluation; the ACL is applied directly to the packet as it arrives at the interface. Therefore, the HTTP packet is evaluated against the ACL without any translation taking place.

D

This option is wrong because the ACL does not automatically convert HTTP traffic to HTTPS; it only permits or denies traffic based on the defined rules. The packet from 10.10.10.25 is not permitted by the ACL since it is not targeting port 443.

26
MCQhard

Refer to the exhibit. A network engineer is troubleshooting an ACL that is not filtering traffic as expected. The engineer runs the show access-lists 110 command and notices that all access control entries (ACEs) show zero matches, even though traffic that should match the permit or deny statements is traversing the network. The engineer then checks the interface configuration. What is the most likely cause?

A.The ACL is applied to the interface in the wrong direction (inbound instead of outbound).
B.The access-list 110 syntax has incorrect subnet masks causing no matches.
C.The ACL 110 is not applied to any interface.
D.The interface GigabitEthernet0/0 is administratively down, preventing ACL processing.
AnswerC

The 'Inbound access list is not set' and 'Outgoing access list is not set' lines in the exhibit directly prove that no ACL has been applied to GigabitEthernet0/0. Since ACL 110 exists but isn't attached to any interface, it never processes traffic and shows zero hit counts.

Why this answer

If an ACL is not applied to any interface, it will never process traffic, and the 'show access-lists' command will show zero matches for all ACEs. The engineer confirmed that traffic matching the ACL entries is traversing the network, but the ACL counters remain at zero, which directly indicates that the ACL is not being invoked by any interface configuration. Applying an ACL to an interface with the 'ip access-group' command is required for it to filter traffic.

Exam trap

Cisco often tests the distinction between creating an ACL and applying it to an interface, trapping candidates who assume that simply defining an ACL with 'access-list' commands is enough to filter traffic, when in fact the 'ip access-group' command under the interface is mandatory for the ACL to take effect.

Why the other options are wrong

A

A common mistake is to try to explain zero matches by directional misapplication without first checking whether an ACL is actually present. The exhibit explicitly shows no ACL is bound.

B

Some candidates fixate on ACL configuration details instead of verifying interface assignment. The output confirms the interface has no ACL, not that an ACL is configured incorrectly.

D

Candidates sometimes misread interface status. This output clearly shows the interface is enabled and up, so a down state is not the issue.

27
MCQmedium

Refer to the exhibit. Users on the inside network can browse the web, but return traffic is failing for some sessions. A partial configuration shows: interface GigabitEthernet0/0 ip address 192.168.10.1 255.255.255.0 ip nat outside ! interface GigabitEthernet0/1 ip address 203.0.113.10 255.255.255.0 ip nat inside ! ip nat inside source list 1 interface GigabitEthernet0/1 overload access-list 1 permit 192.168.10.0 0.0.0.255 Based on this configuration, which change is required to make PAT work correctly?

A.Apply ip nat enable on both interfaces.
B.Replace overload with pool.
C.Swap the inside and outside NAT roles on the two interfaces.
D.Change access-list 1 to a standard ACL numbered 100.
AnswerC

This is correct because NAT depends on the router knowing which side is private and which side is public. The current configuration labels them the wrong way round. PAT with overload on the WAN interface is fine, but the interface roles must match the traffic direction.

Why this answer

The problem is that the router has the NAT directions backwards. In simple terms, the interface facing the private LAN should be marked as inside, and the interface facing the public or WAN side should be marked as outside. Here, GigabitEthernet0/0 uses the private address 192.168.10.1, but it is configured as outside. GigabitEthernet0/1 uses the public address 203.0.113.10, but it is configured as inside. That reverses the translation logic and breaks normal PAT behavior.

Technically, the command `ip nat inside source list 1 interface GigabitEthernet0/1 overload` is otherwise reasonable for dynamic PAT using the WAN interface address. The ACL also correctly identifies the inside local subnet. The essential fix is to mark G0/0 as `ip nat inside` and G0/1 as `ip nat outside`. Once the directions are corrected, PAT can create and track translations properly for outbound traffic and returning sessions.

Exam trap

A frequent exam trap is confusing the NAT inside and outside interface roles. Candidates may see the private IP on an interface and mistakenly assign it as 'ip nat outside' or vice versa. This reverses the translation direction, causing return traffic to fail despite correct ACLs and overload commands.

The trap exploits the assumption that the public IP must be inside or that the interface with the ACL is always inside. Understanding that NAT roles depend on network topology, not just IP addresses, is crucial to avoid this error.

Why the other options are wrong

A

Applying 'ip nat enable' on both interfaces is incorrect because Cisco IOS uses 'ip nat inside' and 'ip nat outside' to define NAT roles. The problem is not enabling NAT but assigning the correct directional roles to interfaces.

B

Replacing 'overload' with a pool is unnecessary since PAT uses 'overload' to allow multiple inside hosts to share one outside IP. The issue is not the translation method but the reversed inside/outside interface roles.

D

Changing access-list 1 to a standard ACL numbered 100 does not address the core problem. ACL 1 is valid for identifying inside local addresses, and the failure is due to reversed NAT interface roles, not the ACL number.

28
Drag & Dropmedium

Which of the following is the correct order to plan, configure, and apply an extended ACL that blocks Telnet traffic from the 192.168.1.0/24 network to the 10.0.0.0/24 network, applied inbound on the router's G0/0 interface?

Drag steps to the numbered slots on the right, or tap a step then tap a slot.

Steps
Order
1Step 1
2Step 2
3Step 3
4Step 4

Why this order

The correct order to plan, configure, and apply an extended ACL that blocks Telnet traffic from 192.168.1.0/24 to 10.0.0.0/24, applied inbound on G0/0, is: first enter global configuration mode, create the ACL with a deny statement for the specific source and destination, then add a permit ip any any statement, then enter interface G0/0, and apply the ACL inbound with ip access-group <acl-number> in. Option B is incorrect because the ACL must be created before entering the interface. Option C is incorrect because the order of ACEs within the ACL must have the specific deny before the broad permit.

Option D is incorrect because ip access-group must be applied on an interface, not globally.

Exam trap

Be careful with the order of operations: ACLs must be created before they can be applied, and the order of entries within the ACL matters. Also, remember that 'ip access-group' is an interface command, not global.

29
MCQhard

A network engineer notices that after removing a standard ACL that was applied inbound on the internet-facing interface, the router is now receiving IP packets from the internet with source IP addresses in the 10.0.0.0/8 range, which were previously blocked. What is the most likely cause?

A.The original standard ACL only had a permit statement, so after removal the permit still takes effect because the ACL remains in the running configuration.
B.The ip access-group command on the interface remains but is missing the referenced ACL, causing the router to default to denying all ingress traffic except the previously permitted 10.0.0.0/8.
C.Removing the ACL from the interface eliminates the implicit deny at the end and restores the default permit all behavior, allowing all incoming traffic.
D.The ACL was reapplied in the outbound direction instead of inbound, so it now blocks traffic leaving the interface but not entering it.
AnswerC

Before removal, the applied ACL permitted only 10.0.0.0/8 and denied everything else (implicit deny all), which correctly blocked spoofed RFC 1918 traffic. Once the ACL is de-applied, the interface has no access list, so all traffic is permitted, including the previously blocked spoofed packets.

Why this answer

When a standard ACL is removed from an interface using the 'no ip access-group' command, the implicit deny any at the end of the ACL is also removed. By default, Cisco routers permit all IP traffic on an interface unless an ACL is applied to filter it. Therefore, after removal, the router reverts to its default permit-all behavior, allowing previously blocked traffic like source IPs in the 10.0.0.0/8 range.

Exam trap

Cisco often tests the misconception that removing an ACL from an interface leaves some filtering in place, when in fact it restores the default permit-all behavior, and candidates may confuse the implicit deny of an ACL with the default interface behavior.

Why the other options are wrong

A

Candidates may think that the ACL itself, if still configured, continues to filter traffic even when not applied to an interface.

B

A common misunderstanding is that the access-group line can persist without a valid ACL and cause some default behavior; in fact the entire command is removed.

D

Some candidates may confuse direction changes with removal and assume the ACL is still filtering traffic in some way, but the symptom clearly indicates no filtering at all.

30
Drag & Dropmedium

Drag and drop the following steps into the correct order to configure and apply an extended ACL that permits only HTTP traffic from the 192.168.1.0/24 network to the server at 10.0.0.1, with the ACL applied inbound on the router's GigabitEthernet0/0 interface, and then verify the configuration.

Drag steps to the numbered slots on the right, or tap a step then tap a slot.

Steps
Order
1Step 1
2Step 2
3Step 3
4Step 4

Why this order

First, enter config mode. Create the ACL permitting HTTP from the source network to the destination host. Apply it inbound on the correct interface.

Then exit and verify.

Exam trap

Pay attention to the direction of ACL application (inbound vs outbound) and the specific verification command. Also, ensure you exit configuration mode before verifying, as some show commands are available in config mode but the standard workflow is to exit first.

31
MCQhard

A standard ACL and an extended ACL are both available for a design. Which requirement most strongly indicates that an extended ACL is needed?

A.The policy must distinguish traffic by destination, protocol, or port.
B.The policy needs to match only one source subnet.
C.The ACL must be placed near the destination.
D.The network uses IPv6 instead of IPv4.
AnswerA

A standard ACL identifies traffic solely by source IPv4 address, so any policy that must differentiate flows by destination address, protocol number, or TCP/UDP port is impossible with a standard ACL. Extended access lists (100–199 and 2000–2699) are required because they evaluate source, destination, protocol, and port fields. Thus, this criterion forces the extended ACL choice.

Why this answer

An extended ACL is most strongly indicated when the policy must match not just on source address, but also on destination, protocol, or port information. In practical terms, if the requirement is something like “block HTTP but allow SSH” or “deny traffic to one server but not another,” a standard ACL is too limited because it mainly matches only the source. Option B (matching only one source subnet) can be done with a standard ACL, so it does not demand an extended ACL.

Option C (placement near destination) is a guideline for standard ACLs, not a reason to choose an extended ACL. Option D (IPv6) is irrelevant because the scenario explicitly states both ACL types are available and standard ACLs do not exist for IPv6—this question is about IPv4 ACLs.

Exam trap

Remember that standard ACLs can only filter based on source IP addresses. If the requirement involves protocols or ports, think extended ACL.

Why the other options are wrong

B

Matching only one source subnet can be accomplished with a standard ACL, so this does not strongly indicate a need for an extended ACL.

C

Placing an ACL near the destination is a characteristic of standard ACLs, not a criterion that selects an extended ACL.

D

The scenario assumes both standard and extended ACLs are available; standard ACLs do not exist for IPv6, so this requirement does not apply to the IPv4 ACL choice.

32
MCQhard

An administrator wants to prevent a specific subnet from using Telnet to reach network devices, while still allowing SSH from that same subnet. What is the strongest reason a standard ACL is not enough by itself?

A.Because the policy must distinguish Telnet from SSH, which requires protocol or port-level matching.
B.Because standard ACLs are valid only on wireless networks.
C.Because Telnet and SSH always use the same destination port.
D.Because SSH can never be filtered with ACLs.
AnswerA

This is correct because source-only matching cannot separate those two protocols.

Why this answer

A standard ACL is not enough by itself because the policy depends on distinguishing different protocols or destination ports, not just source address. In practical terms, the source subnet is the same for both Telnet and SSH. The ACL therefore needs to tell those two management protocols apart, which requires more granular matching than source-only logic.

This is one of the clearest examples of why extended ACL capability matters.

Exam trap

Do not confuse the capabilities of standard ACLs with those of extended ACLs. Remember, standard ACLs filter only by source IP.

Why the other options are wrong

B

Standard ACLs are not limited to wireless networks; they can be applied to any interface on a router, including wired connections. This option misrepresents the applicability of standard ACLs.

C

This option is incorrect because Telnet and SSH use different destination ports; Telnet typically uses port 23, while SSH uses port 22, allowing for distinct filtering in ACLs.

D

This option is incorrect because SSH can indeed be filtered using ACLs, as they can match traffic based on IP addresses and protocols. Standard ACLs can be applied to control SSH traffic just like any other traffic type.

33
MCQmedium

As a general rule, where should an extended ACL be placed?

A.As close to the source as practical
B.As close to the destination as possible in all cases
C.Only on the default gateway
D.Only on WAN interfaces
AnswerA

Placing an extended ACL as close to the source as practical is the standard rule because extended ACLs can match both source and destination addresses, ports, and protocols. By filtering at the ingress point near the source, you prevent unwanted traffic from consuming bandwidth and processing resources on intermediate routers and links. This early filtering also reduces the risk of the traffic causing harm deeper inside the network, making the policy more efficient and effective.

Why this answer

Extended ACLs are commonly placed near the source to stop unwanted traffic earlier and conserve bandwidth and device resources.

Exam trap

Remember that extended ACLs should be placed near the source, not the destination or core, to effectively manage traffic.

Why the other options are wrong

B

Placing an extended ACL as close to the destination can lead to unnecessary traffic being processed by intermediate devices, which is inefficient. Extended ACLs are designed to filter traffic based on source and destination, so positioning them closer to the source enhances performance and security.

C

This option is incorrect because placing an extended ACL only on the default gateway limits its effectiveness in controlling traffic originating from various sources across the network. Extended ACLs should be strategically placed closer to the source to filter traffic before it reaches the destination.

D

Placing an extended ACL only on WAN interfaces can lead to inefficient traffic filtering, as it may not adequately control traffic originating from internal sources. Extended ACLs should ideally be positioned close to the source to effectively manage traffic before it reaches the destination.

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