- A
SPAN mirrors traffic only on the local switch.
Correct because SPAN is local to the switch where the source ports reside.
- B
RSPAN uses a dedicated VLAN to transport mirrored traffic across multiple switches.
Correct because RSPAN traffic is carried over an RSPAN VLAN that must be configured on all intermediate switches.
- C
SPAN can be used to mirror traffic between switches without additional configuration.
Why wrong: Incorrect because SPAN is local; to mirror across switches, RSPAN or ERSPAN is required.
- D
RSPAN supports both ingress and egress mirroring on the source switch.
Why wrong: Incorrect because RSPAN on the source switch typically supports only ingress mirroring; egress mirroring is not supported for RSPAN sources.
- E
RSPAN requires a separate management VLAN to function.
Why wrong: Incorrect because RSPAN uses a dedicated VLAN for mirrored traffic, not a management VLAN.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is that RSPAN uses a dedicated VLAN to transport mirrored traffic across multiple switches, while SPAN is limited to local port mirroring on a single switch. This distinction exists because SPAN copies traffic directly from source to destination ports within the same switch hardware, whereas RSPAN encapsulates the mirrored frames into a special VLAN that can traverse trunk links to a remote switch for analysis. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this concept tests your understanding of network monitoring architectures and often appears in multiple-choice questions that pair a true statement about RSPAN’s cross-switch capability with a false statement about SPAN’s reach. A common trap is confusing RSPAN’s dedicated VLAN with a management VLAN—they are separate, as RSPAN does not require a separate management VLAN. Remember the memory tip: “SPAN stays put, RSPAN rides the VLAN train.”
CCNP SPAN and RSPAN Practice Question
This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of span and rspan. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 two statements about SPAN and RSPAN are true? (Choose two.)
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
SPAN mirrors traffic only on the local switch.
SPAN mirrors traffic locally on the same switch; RSPAN uses a dedicated VLAN to carry mirrored traffic across switches. SPAN can monitor both ingress and egress traffic. RSPAN does not support egress-only mirroring on the source switch; it requires a special VLAN. SPAN cannot be used across switches without RSPAN or ERSPAN. RSPAN does not require a separate management VLAN.
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.
- ✓
SPAN mirrors traffic only on the local switch.
Why this is correct
Correct because SPAN is local to the switch where the source ports reside.
Related concept
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
- ✓
RSPAN uses a dedicated VLAN to transport mirrored traffic across multiple switches.
- ✗
SPAN can be used to mirror traffic between switches without additional configuration.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because SPAN is local; to mirror across switches, RSPAN or ERSPAN is required.
- ✗
RSPAN supports both ingress and egress mirroring on the source switch.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because RSPAN on the source switch typically supports only ingress mirroring; egress mirroring is not supported for RSPAN sources.
- ✗
RSPAN requires a separate management VLAN to function.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because RSPAN uses a dedicated VLAN for mirrored traffic, not a management VLAN.
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.
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.
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SPAN and RSPAN — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 350-401 question test?
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: SPAN mirrors traffic only on the local switch. — SPAN mirrors traffic locally on the same switch; RSPAN uses a dedicated VLAN to carry mirrored traffic across switches. SPAN can monitor both ingress and egress traffic. RSPAN does not support egress-only mirroring on the source switch; it requires a special VLAN. SPAN cannot be used across switches without RSPAN or ERSPAN. RSPAN does not require a separate management VLAN.
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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Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026
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.
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