The correct action is to shut down and re-enable the interface. When a port security violation occurs, such as exceeding the allowed MAC address limit or detecting a sticky MAC address change, the switch places the port into an errdisable state as a protective measure. This error-disabled condition blocks all traffic on that port until the underlying violation is cleared. The only way to restore connectivity is to administratively bring the interface down with the shutdown command and then bring it back up with no shutdown, which resets the port’s error condition. On the Cisco CyberOps Associate 200-201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of port security errdisable recovery and the difference between automatic recovery (configured via errdisable recovery cause) and manual intervention. A common trap is assuming that simply removing the violating MAC address or waiting will restore the port—only the shutdown/no shutdown cycle directly clears the errdisable state. Remember the mnemonic: “Shut it off, turn it on—errdisable is gone.”
200-201 Security Concepts Practice Question
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of security concepts. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
Exhibit
Port Security : Enabled
Port Status : Secure-down
Violation Mode : Shutdown
Aging Time : 0 mins
Aging Type : Absolute
SecureStatic Address Aging : Disabled
Maximum MAC Addresses : 1
Total MAC Addresses : 1
Configured MAC Addresses : 0
Sticky MAC Addresses : 0
Last Source Address : 0011.2233.4455
Last Violation Time : 01:23:45
Security Violation Count : 1
Refer to the exhibit. An analyst examines the port security status on a switch interface. What action should the analyst take to restore connectivity to the device connected to this port?
Port Security : Enabled
Port Status : Secure-down
Violation Mode : Shutdown
Aging Time : 0 mins
Aging Type : Absolute
SecureStatic Address Aging : Disabled
Maximum MAC Addresses : 1
Total MAC Addresses : 1
Configured MAC Addresses : 0
Sticky MAC Addresses : 0
Last Source Address : 0011.2233.4455
Last Violation Time : 01:23:45
Security Violation Count : 1
A
Remove the port from the VLAN
Why wrong: Removing the port from the VLAN does not clear the errdisable condition.
B
Clear the MAC address table on the switch
Why wrong: Clearing the MAC table does not affect the port's errdisable status.
C
Shut down and re-enable the interface
Re-enabling the interface after a shutdown clears the errdisable state.
D
Increase the maximum number of MAC addresses allowed
Why wrong: Increasing the limit does not resolve the existing violation.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Shut down and re-enable the interface
When a port security violation occurs (e.g., a MAC address limit is exceeded or a sticky MAC changes), the switch can be configured to err-disable the interface. The standard remediation is to administratively shut down the interface (shutdown) and then re-enable it (no shutdown), which clears the error condition and restores connectivity. This is the only action that directly addresses the err-disable state caused by the security violation.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Remove the port from the VLAN
Why it's wrong here
Removing the port from the VLAN does not clear the errdisable condition.
✗
Clear the MAC address table on the switch
Why it's wrong here
Clearing the MAC table does not affect the port's errdisable status.
✓
Shut down and re-enable the interface
Why this is correct
Re-enabling the interface after a shutdown clears the errdisable state.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Increase the maximum number of MAC addresses allowed
Why it's wrong here
Increasing the limit does not resolve the existing violation.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that clearing the MAC address table or adjusting the MAC limit will restore connectivity, but the trap here is that the interface is in an err-disabled state, which requires a manual or automatic interface reset, not a table or configuration change.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Port security violations trigger an err-disable state when the violation mode is set to 'shutdown' (the default). The switch places the interface in an error-disabled state, blocking all traffic. Recovery requires either manual intervention (shutdown/no shutdown) or automatic recovery via the 'errdisable recovery cause psecure-violation' global command, which re-enables the port after a timer (default 300 seconds). The 'shutdown' and 'no shutdown' sequence resets the interface hardware and clears the error condition immediately.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Security Concepts — This question tests Security Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Shut down and re-enable the interface — When a port security violation occurs (e.g., a MAC address limit is exceeded or a sticky MAC changes), the switch can be configured to err-disable the interface. The standard remediation is to administratively shut down the interface (shutdown) and then re-enable it (no shutdown), which clears the error condition and restores connectivity. This is the only action that directly addresses the err-disable state caused by the security violation.
What should I do if I get this 200-201 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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