- A
TCP 161
Why wrong: SNMP typically uses UDP.
- B
UDP 161
Why wrong: UDP 161 is used for SNMP queries.
- C
UDP 162
UDP 162 is the standard SNMP trap port.
- D
TCP 162
Why wrong: SNMP typically uses UDP.
Question 626 of 1,000
200-201 Security Monitoring Practice Question
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of security monitoring. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 protocol and port combination is used by SNMP for receiving traps?
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
✓
UDP 162
SNMP traps are unsolicited notifications sent from an SNMP agent to the network management system (NMS) to alert it of significant events. The correct protocol and port combination for receiving SNMP traps is UDP port 162, as defined in RFC 1157. UDP is used because traps are lightweight, connectionless messages where reliability is handled by the application layer if needed.
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.
- ✗
TCP 161
- ✗
UDP 161
- ✓
UDP 162
- ✗
TCP 162
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between UDP port 161 (for SNMP queries) and UDP port 162 (for SNMP traps), and the trap here is that candidates confuse the port numbers or incorrectly assume SNMP uses TCP for traps due to familiarity with TCP-based protocols like HTTP or SSH.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SNMP traps are sent over UDP to minimize network overhead and avoid the latency of TCP connection setup, which is critical for real-time event notification. The SNMP agent sends the trap to port 162 on the NMS, and the NMS must have a trap receiver listening on that UDP port. In practice, SNMPv2c and SNMPv3 also use UDP 162 for traps, and some implementations support TCP for reliability in lossy networks, but the standard and exam-correct answer remains UDP 162.
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 practitioner preparing for the 200-201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Quick reference
OSI Model Reference
| Layer | Name | PDU | Key Protocols / Devices |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Application | Data | HTTP, HTTPS, DNS, SMTP, FTP, SSH |
| 6 | Presentation | Data | TLS / SSL, JPEG, ASCII encoding |
| 5 | Session | Data | NetBIOS, RPC, SIP |
| 4 | Transport | Segment / Datagram | TCP, UDP |
| 3 | Network | Packet | IP, ICMP, OSPF — Routers |
| 2 | Data Link | Frame | Ethernet, Wi-Fi, PPP — Switches, Bridges |
| 1 | Physical | Bits | Cables, NICs, Hubs, Repeaters |
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-201 question test?
Security Monitoring — This question tests Security Monitoring — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: UDP 162 — SNMP traps are unsolicited notifications sent from an SNMP agent to the network management system (NMS) to alert it of significant events. The correct protocol and port combination for receiving SNMP traps is UDP port 162, as defined in RFC 1157. UDP is used because traps are lightweight, connectionless messages where reliability is handled by the application layer if needed.
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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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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.
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