Question 1mediummulti select
Study the full ACL explanation →Question 1,607 of 1,819
Quick Answer
The correct answer is that a stateless firewall, such as an extended ACL, uses an ordered list of permit or deny rules and processes packets in sequence until a match is found. This is because a stateless firewall performs per-packet inspection, examining each packet independently against static header fields like source and destination IP addresses and port numbers, without any awareness of connection state or session context. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this concept tests your understanding of how extended ACLs differ from stateful firewalls; a common trap is confusing the sequential rule processing with stateful inspection, which tracks TCP handshakes and session flows. Remember that extended ACLs are stateless by design—they filter based solely on Layer 3 and Layer 4 information, and the implicit deny all at the end means order matters critically. A helpful memory tip: "Stateless scans each packet alone, no state, no phone—just IP and port on the throne."
CCNA Network Services and Security Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of network services and security. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 characteristics or functions of a stateless firewall, such as an extended access control list (ACL) on a Cisco router? (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
✓
It examines each packet individually without considering the state of a connection.
A stateless firewall, such as a Cisco extended ACL, processes each packet independently without tracking the state of a connection. It makes filtering decisions solely based on static fields in the packet header, such as source/destination IP addresses and port numbers, and applies rules in a sequential order until a match is found. This is why options about per-packet inspection, IP/port filtering, and sequential rule processing are correct.
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
Cisco often tests the misconception that stateless firewalls can automatically handle return traffic or inspect application data, leading candidates to confuse stateless ACLs with stateful firewalls or next-generation firewalls.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Extended ACLs on Cisco IOS use access-list entries (ACEs) that evaluate fields like protocol number (e.g., 6 for TCP, 17 for UDP), source/destination IP, and port numbers. Each packet is compared against the ACEs in order, and the first match triggers either a permit or deny action; if no match is found, an implicit deny all is applied at the end. In a real-world scenario, a stateless ACL would require explicit permit rules for return traffic (e.g., allowing established TCP connections by checking the ACK bit), whereas a stateful firewall would automatically create a dynamic entry for the return flow.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
Network Services and Security — This question tests Network Services and Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: It examines each packet individually without considering the state of a connection. — A stateless firewall, such as a Cisco extended ACL, processes each packet independently without tracking the state of a connection. It makes filtering decisions solely based on static fields in the packet header, such as source/destination IP addresses and port numbers, and applies rules in a sequential order until a match is found. This is why options about per-packet inspection, IP/port filtering, and sequential rule processing are correct.
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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