CCNP Infrastructure Practice Question
An engineer is configuring a new VLAN 100 on a switch. Which command must be used to create the VLAN?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between creating a VLAN and applying it to an interface, so candidates mistakenly choose 'switchport access vlan 100' thinking it both creates and assigns the VLAN, when in fact it only assigns an existing VLAN.
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
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vlan 100
The correct command to create a new VLAN on a Cisco IOS switch is 'vlan 100' entered in global configuration mode. This command creates VLAN 100 and enters VLAN configuration mode, allowing you to assign a name or other parameters. The other options either apply an existing VLAN to an interface, use a deprecated method, or create a switched virtual interface (SVI) for Layer 3 routing, none of which actually create the VLAN itself.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
vlan 100
Why this is correct
The global configuration command 'vlan 100' creates VLAN 100 and enters VLAN configuration mode, allowing optional parameters such as a name or MTU to be applied. This is the standard and correct method to create a VLAN on modern Cisco IOS switches, as it directly adds the VLAN to the switch's VLAN database and running configuration. Without this command, other VLAN-related commands have no VLAN to act upon.
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switchport access vlan 100
Why it's wrong here
The interface configuration command 'switchport access vlan 100' assigns an interface to access VLAN 100, but it does not create the VLAN itself. If VLAN 100 has not been created with the 'vlan 100' command, this command will fail because the VLAN must already exist in the switch's database. This command is used only after VLAN creation, to place a port into that VLAN, making it a post-creation assignment step, not a VLAN creation method.
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vlan database
Why it's wrong here
The legacy command 'vlan database' enters a special VLAN database mode used in older IOS versions, but it does not create any VLAN by itself. This mode required you to then type 'vlan 100' inside that mode, and it stored VLAN information separately in a vlan.dat file rather than in the running configuration. It is deprecated in modern Catalyst switches, and its use is unnecessary and non-standard for creating a new VLAN in current IOS, making it an incorrect answer.
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interface vlan 100
Why it's wrong here
The command 'interface vlan 100' creates a Switch Virtual Interface (SVI), which is a Layer 3 logical interface representing a VLAN. However, this command does not create the underlying L2 VLAN; VLAN 100 must already exist in the switch's VLAN database for the SVI to function properly. An SVI is used for routing between VLANs, and its creation without an existing VLAN would cause it to be inactive or unsupported, so it cannot be used to create a VLAN itself.
Visual reference
About these practice questions
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 350-401 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 350-401 exam.