This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of span and rspan. 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.
A network engineer runs the following command on Switch SW1:
SW1# show monitor session 1
Session 1
---------
Type : Local Session
Source Ports :
Both : Gi1/0/1
Both : Gi1/0/2
Destination Ports : Gi1/0/10
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Traffic from Gi1/0/1 and Gi1/0/2 is copied to Gi1/0/10 for monitoring.
The output shows a local SPAN session with source ports Gi1/0/1 and Gi1/0/2 (both directions) and destination port Gi1/0/10. The destination port is set to Native encapsulation, meaning it sends traffic in the original VLAN format. Ingress is disabled, so no incoming traffic on the destination port is forwarded. This is a standard local SPAN configuration.
Key principle: A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Traffic from Gi1/0/1 and Gi1/0/2 is copied to Gi1/0/10 for monitoring.
Why this is correct
The session type is Local, source ports are in both directions, and destination is Gi1/0/10.
Related concept
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
✗
This is an RSPAN session that sends traffic to a remote VLAN.
Why it's wrong here
The type is Local, not Remote; RSPAN would show a remote VLAN.
✗
Ingress traffic on Gi1/0/10 is forwarded to the source ports.
Why it's wrong here
Ingress is disabled, so no forwarding occurs.
✗
The destination port is configured to capture only egress traffic.
Why it's wrong here
The source ports capture both ingress and egress traffic, not the destination.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: an active trunk can still block the VLAN you need
A trunk being up does not prove every VLAN is crossing it. Check allowed VLAN lists, native VLAN mismatch, VLAN existence and access-port assignment.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The type is Local, not Remote; RSPAN would show a remote VLAN.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
VLAN questions usually combine access-port and trunking clues. The key is to identify whether the issue is local to one switchport, caused by the trunk, or caused by the VLAN not existing where it needs to exist.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
Trunk ports carry multiple VLANs between switches.
Allowed VLAN lists decide which VLANs can cross a trunk.
Native VLAN mismatch can create confusing symptoms.
TExam Day Tips
→Use show vlan brief to verify access VLANs.
→Use show interfaces trunk to verify trunk state and allowed VLANs.
→Do not treat every same-VLAN issue as a routing problem.
Key takeaway
A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.
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.
Review VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related 350-401 questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
SPAN and RSPAN — This question tests SPAN and RSPAN — Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Traffic from Gi1/0/1 and Gi1/0/2 is copied to Gi1/0/10 for monitoring. — The output shows a local SPAN session with source ports Gi1/0/1 and Gi1/0/2 (both directions) and destination port Gi1/0/10. The destination port is set to Native encapsulation, meaning it sends traffic in the original VLAN format. Ingress is disabled, so no incoming traffic on the destination port is forwarded. This is a standard local SPAN configuration.
What should I do if I get this 350-401 question wrong?
Review VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related 350-401 questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
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