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Open the full VLAN trunking answer →Question 490 of 1,819
Quick Answer
The correct answer includes the statement that the 'show vlan brief' command displays VLANs that are active on the switch, because this command provides a concise list of all configured VLANs, their names, and the ports assigned to each, filtering out any inactive or shutdown VLANs. This is a fundamental verification command for VLAN configuration and verification commands on a Cisco switch, directly testing your ability to confirm which VLANs are operational. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this concept appears in questions about Layer 2 troubleshooting and switch administration, often paired with traps like confusing the reserved VLANs 1002–1005 (which are legacy FDDI/Token Ring, not user-created) or assuming a VLAN must be manually created before assigning a port. A key memory tip: remember that "brief" means "active only"—if a VLAN isn't passing traffic, it won't show up in the brief output.
CCNA Switching and Network Access Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of switching and network access. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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.
Which four of the following are correct statements about VLAN configuration and verification on a Cisco switch? (Choose four.)
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
✓
The 'switchport mode access' command places the interface into a non-trunking mode.
The 'switchport mode access' command configures the interface as an access port, operating in non-trunking mode and carrying traffic for a single VLAN. By default, all ports on a Cisco switch are assigned to VLAN 1, which is the default and management VLAN. The 'show vlan brief' command displays all active VLANs along with their names and assigned ports. A VLAN does not need to be manually created before its name can be assigned; you can assign a port to a new VLAN, which automatically creates it, and then enter VLAN configuration mode to set its name. The false statements are that VLANs 1002–1005 are reserved for user-created VLANs (they are legacy FDDI/Token Ring VLANs) and that the 'switchport trunk native vlan' command restricts the native VLAN to only tagged frames (native VLAN traffic is sent untagged).
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Candidates often confuse the native VLAN as carrying tagged frames, and mistakenly believe VLANs 1002–1005 are user-configurable, when in fact they are reserved for legacy technologies.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, VLAN 1 is the default Ethernet VLAN and cannot be deleted, but it can be pruned on trunk links to reduce unnecessary broadcast traffic. The 'show vlan brief' command reads from the VLAN database in flash memory, and it only shows VLANs that are present in the VLAN table, not those that are administratively down. In real-world scenarios, using VLAN 1 for management is discouraged due to security concerns, and best practices recommend changing the native VLAN to an unused VLAN to prevent VLAN hopping attacks.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A help-desk technician troubleshoots why a newly connected PC cannot reach shared printers on the same floor. The cable is good, the switch port is active, but the PC is in VLAN 20 and the printers are in VLAN 10. The uplink trunk only allows VLAN 10. A trunk being up does not mean every VLAN crosses it.
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
Switching and Network Access — This question tests Switching and Network Access — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The 'switchport mode access' command places the interface into a non-trunking mode. — The 'switchport mode access' command configures the interface as an access port, operating in non-trunking mode and carrying traffic for a single VLAN. By default, all ports on a Cisco switch are assigned to VLAN 1, which is the default and management VLAN. The 'show vlan brief' command displays all active VLANs along with their names and assigned ports. A VLAN does not need to be manually created before its name can be assigned; you can assign a port to a new VLAN, which automatically creates it, and then enter VLAN configuration mode to set its name. The false statements are that VLANs 1002–1005 are reserved for user-created VLANs (they are legacy FDDI/Token Ring VLANs) and that the 'switchport trunk native vlan' command restricts the native VLAN to only tagged frames (native VLAN traffic is sent untagged).
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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