The answer is that the trunk between the core and access switch is not configured for SGT inline tagging. In Cisco TrustSec, when SXP propagates IP-to-SGT mappings from ISE to the core, the core must then embed the SGT into the Ethernet frame using Cisco Meta Data (CMD) on trunk links; without the `cts manual` or `cts dot1q` command on the trunk interface, the access switch strips the tag or never receives it, so the app server sees untagged traffic and cannot enforce policy. This scenario tests your understanding of SGT propagation methods—specifically the difference between SXP (control-plane mapping) and inline tagging (data-plane marking)—a frequent topic on the Cisco SCOR 350-701 exam. A common trap is assuming SXP alone delivers tags to all switches, but SXP only shares mappings to the directly connected peer; downstream switches require inline tagging on trunks to carry the SGT in the packet. Memory tip: SXP maps, inline tags—if the trunk doesn’t tag, the packet won’t carry.
350-701 Practice Question: Secure Network Access, Visibility and Enforcement
This 350-701 practice question tests your understanding of secure network access, visibility and enforcement. 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.
A financial company is deploying Cisco ISE with TrustSec to enforce segmentation between application tiers (web, app, DB). They have a Cisco Catalyst 9500 as the core, and Catalyst 9300s as access switches. The SXP is configured between ISE and core switch, and the core switch propagates SGTs to access switches via SGT inline tagging on trunk ports. The engineer has configured SGTs for web (SGT=2), app (SGT=3), DB (SGT=4). However, when testing from a web server (IP 10.1.1.10, SGT=2) to an app server (IP 10.1.2.20, SGT=3), the app server sees the traffic without SGT in the packet, so the access switch cannot enforce policy. The engineer checks 'show cts role-based sgt-map' on the core and sees the mapping for 10.1.1.10 -> 2. What is the most likely issue?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The trunk between core and access is not configured for SGT inline tagging
If the access switch is not receiving the SGT mapping, the issue is likely that the SXP connection is not sharing mappings to the access switch, or the inline tagging is not correctly configured. Option B is correct because if the trunk between core and access does not have 'cts manual' enabled, the access switch will not strip the tag from the packet. Option A would cause no SGT at all. Option C would affect enforcement. Option D would affect policy, not packet tagging.
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.
✗
The ISE policy does not allow the traffic from web to app
Why it's wrong here
Policy is not evaluated if the SGT is not delivered.
✗
The access switch does not have the security group ACL configured
Why it's wrong here
SGACL is used for enforcement, but first the SGT must be present.
✓
The trunk between core and access is not configured for SGT inline tagging
Why this is correct
Without 'cts manual' or 'trust sec' on the trunk, the core switch will not insert the SGT into packets going to the access switch.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
✗
The SXP connection between ISE and core is not established
Why it's wrong here
If SXP between ISE and core was down, the core would not have the mapping, but the engineer checked and it has mapping.
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 350-701 questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
Secure Network Access, Visibility and Enforcement — This question tests Secure Network Access, Visibility and Enforcement — Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The trunk between core and access is not configured for SGT inline tagging — If the access switch is not receiving the SGT mapping, the issue is likely that the SXP connection is not sharing mappings to the access switch, or the inline tagging is not correctly configured. Option B is correct because if the trunk between core and access does not have 'cts manual' enabled, the access switch will not strip the tag from the packet. Option A would cause no SGT at all. Option C would affect enforcement. Option D would affect policy, not packet tagging.
What should I do if I get this 350-701 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 350-701 questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
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