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Open the full VLAN trunking answer →Question 117 of 1,819
Quick Answer
The correct answer is that VLANs can be pruned from a trunk to restrict unnecessary traffic, as this is a key characteristic of 802.1Q trunking. This pruning, whether achieved through VTP or manual configuration, prevents unused VLAN traffic from consuming bandwidth on the trunk link, directly improving network efficiency. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this topic tests your understanding of how 802.1Q modifies Ethernet frames by inserting a 4-byte tag between the Source MAC and EtherType fields, increasing the maximum frame size to 1522 bytes, while the single native VLAN per trunk transmits frames untagged for backward compatibility. A common trap is confusing the native VLAN’s untagged behavior with the ability to prune VLANs—pruning is about traffic restriction, not tagging. Remember the mnemonic “TIPS”: Tag inserted, Increased frame size, Pruning possible, Single native VLAN.
CCNA Switching and Network Access Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of switching and network access. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 of 802.1Q trunking? (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 native VLAN frames are transmitted untagged on the trunk.
802.1Q trunking uses a single native VLAN per trunk, and frames belonging to that VLAN are transmitted without an 802.1Q tag, allowing interoperability with devices that do not understand trunking. The 802.1Q tag is inserted between the Source MAC address and the EtherType/Length field, adding a 4-byte tag that includes the VLAN ID and priority information. VLAN pruning, such as via VTP pruning or manual configuration, allows a switch to restrict unnecessary VLAN traffic from being sent over a trunk, reducing bandwidth waste. Additionally, the 802.1Q tag increases the maximum Ethernet frame size from 1518 bytes to 1522 bytes, due to the extra 4 bytes inserted.
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 forget that the 802.1Q tag adds 4 bytes to the frame, increasing the maximum Ethernet frame size to 1522 bytes (including the FCS), and may confuse this with the standard 1518-byte limit or think the tag is part of the payload.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The 802.1Q tag uses a 12-bit VLAN ID field, allowing up to 4094 VLANs (IDs 0 and 4095 are reserved). The native VLAN is a key concept: frames on the native VLAN are sent untagged, so both ends of the trunk must agree on the native VLAN to avoid misconfiguration. In real-world scenarios, mismatched native VLANs can cause VLAN hopping attacks or connectivity issues, making it critical to verify native VLAN consistency on both sides of a trunk.
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 native VLAN frames are transmitted untagged on the trunk. — 802.1Q trunking uses a single native VLAN per trunk, and frames belonging to that VLAN are transmitted without an 802.1Q tag, allowing interoperability with devices that do not understand trunking. The 802.1Q tag is inserted between the Source MAC address and the EtherType/Length field, adding a 4-byte tag that includes the VLAN ID and priority information. VLAN pruning, such as via VTP pruning or manual configuration, allows a switch to restrict unnecessary VLAN traffic from being sent over a trunk, reducing bandwidth waste. Additionally, the 802.1Q tag increases the maximum Ethernet frame size from 1518 bytes to 1522 bytes, due to the extra 4 bytes inserted.
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
This 200-301 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-301 exam.
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