This 200-901 practice question tests your understanding of network fundamentals. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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 network administrator needs to verify that a switch port is configured as an access port and assigned to VLAN 30. Which command should be used on a Cisco IOS switch?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "which command"
Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
show interfaces status
The 'show interfaces status' command displays the operational status, VLAN assignment, and duplex/speed settings for all switch ports. When verifying an access port, the output includes the VLAN ID under the 'Vlan' column, confirming the port is assigned to VLAN 30 and operating in access mode (trunk ports show 'trunk' instead). This command directly answers the question without requiring interpretation of running configuration or MAC address tables.
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.
✗
show running-config interface GigabitEthernet0/1
Why it's wrong here
This shows configuration but may not display 'switchport access vlan 30' if it's default.
✓
show interfaces status
Why this is correct
The 'Vlan' column in 'show interfaces status' shows the access VLAN.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
show mac address-table interface GigabitEthernet0/1
Why it's wrong here
This shows MAC addresses learned on that port, not the VLAN assignment.
✗
show vlan brief
Why it's wrong here
This command lists VLANs and their ports but not the access VLAN of a specific port unless you look closely.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between configuration commands (like 'show running-config') and operational verification commands (like 'show interfaces status'), trapping candidates who assume the running config always reflects the current operational state, especially when 'switchport mode access' is omitted or when a port is in a trunking mode.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
This shows configuration but may not display 'switchport access vlan 30' if it's default.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The 'show interfaces status' command retrieves the port's operational state from the switch's VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP) and Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) databases, showing the actual VLAN assignment used for forwarding. In contrast, 'show running-config' reflects the intended configuration, which may differ if the port is dynamically assigned via VLAN Membership Policy Server (VMPS) or if the configuration was overridden. A real-world scenario is verifying a port after a misconfiguration where the running config shows VLAN 30 but the port is actually in VLAN 1 due to a missing 'switchport mode access' command—'show interfaces status' reveals the operational reality.
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.
Network Fundamentals — This question tests Network Fundamentals — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: show interfaces status — The 'show interfaces status' command displays the operational status, VLAN assignment, and duplex/speed settings for all switch ports. When verifying an access port, the output includes the VLAN ID under the 'Vlan' column, confirming the port is assigned to VLAN 30 and operating in access mode (trunk ports show 'trunk' instead). This command directly answers the question without requiring interpretation of running configuration or MAC address tables.
What should I do if I get this 200-901 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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