hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
200-201 Practice Question: A company uses syslog for logging from all…
A company uses syslog for logging from all network devices. The SOC notices that logs from a critical router are not appearing in the SIEM for the past hour, but other devices are sending logs normally. Which step should the analyst take FIRST to troubleshoot?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the principle of 'start with the simplest, least disruptive test'—candidates mistakenly jump to checking configuration or restarting services because they assume the problem is software-related, when the most common cause is a network connectivity issue that can be verified with a single ping.
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
✓
Ping the SIEM server from the router
The SOC sees that only one router's logs are missing while all other devices are sending logs normally. This strongly suggests the issue is isolated to that router, not the SIEM server. The quickest first step is to verify basic IP connectivity from the router to the SIEM server using ping. If the router cannot reach the SIEM server (e.g., due to a routing problem, ACL, or firewall change), no syslog UDP packets (port 514) will arrive, and no amount of local configuration checking or service restarting will fix it. This aligns with the standard troubleshooting methodology of verifying Layer 3 reachability before diving into application-layer settings.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Ping the SIEM server from the router
Why this is correct
Verifying network connectivity helps isolate if the issue is network or device related.
- ✗
Restart the router syslog service
Why it's wrong here
Restarting without cause may affect production.
- ✗
Check the router logging configuration
Why it's wrong here
Configuration check should follow connectivity verification.
- ✗
Check the SIEM server's log receiver status
Why it's wrong here
Since other devices are sending logs, the SIEM is likely working.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 200-201 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 200-201 exam.