The answer is the combination of `switchport port-security maximum 2` and `switchport port-security violation shutdown`. This is correct because the `shutdown` violation mode immediately places the interface into an err-disabled state when a port security violation occurs, which directly meets the requirement to disable the port upon detecting an unauthorized device. The `maximum 2` command restricts the interface to learning only the first two MAC addresses dynamically, and any subsequent MAC address triggers the violation. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this tests your understanding of the three port security violation modes—shutdown, restrict, and protect—with shutdown being the only mode that fully disables the interface. A common trap is confusing `shutdown` with `restrict`, which drops traffic but does not disable the port. Remember the memory tip: “Shutdown shuts it down, restrict just rejects.”
CCNP Security Practice Question
This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of security. 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.
A network engineer is configuring port security on a Cisco switch to prevent unauthorized devices from connecting. The requirement is to allow only the first two MAC addresses learned on an interface, and to disable the interface if a violation occurs. Which configuration achieves this?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
switchport port-security maximum 2
switchport port-security violation shutdown
Option B is correct because the 'shutdown' violation mode places the interface into an err-disabled state when a port security violation occurs, which matches the requirement to disable the interface. The 'maximum 2' command limits the number of allowed MAC addresses to two, and the first two learned MAC addresses are dynamically secured. This combination ensures that any additional MAC address triggers a violation and disables the port.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
switchport port-security maximum 2
switchport port-security violation err-disable
Why it's wrong here
Err-disable is not a valid violation mode; the mode is shutdown that causes err-disable state.
✓
switchport port-security maximum 2
switchport port-security violation shutdown
Why this is correct
Correct: sets max to 2 and violation shutdown disables interface.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
switchport port-security maximum 2
switchport port-security violation protect
Why it's wrong here
Protect drops traffic silently but does not disable the interface.
✗
switchport port-security maximum 2
switchport port-security violation restrict
Why it's wrong here
Restrict does not disable the interface; it drops traffic and logs.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between 'shutdown' (disables the interface) and 'restrict' (drops traffic but keeps the interface up), leading candidates to confuse the two when the requirement explicitly calls for disabling the interface.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Port security uses a sticky MAC address feature to dynamically learn and store MAC addresses in the running configuration. The 'shutdown' violation mode places the interface in an err-disabled state, which can be recovered by manual intervention (e.g., 'shutdown' followed by 'no shutdown') or by configuring errdisable recovery. In real-world scenarios, this is critical for preventing rogue devices on access ports, such as in a campus LAN where only authorized endpoints should connect.
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Security — This question tests Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: switchport port-security maximum 2
switchport port-security violation shutdown — Option B is correct because the 'shutdown' violation mode places the interface into an err-disabled state when a port security violation occurs, which matches the requirement to disable the interface. The 'maximum 2' command limits the number of allowed MAC addresses to two, and the first two learned MAC addresses are dynamically secured. This combination ensures that any additional MAC address triggers a violation and disables the port.
What should I do if I get this 350-401 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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