mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
200-901 Practice Question: Notices that after a link failure, traffic to a…
A network engineer notices that after a link failure, traffic to a server on a different VLAN is intermittent. The network uses Rapid PVST+. The switch connecting the server is a root bridge for that VLAN. What is the most likely cause of the intermittent connectivity?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the misconception that Rapid PVST+ eliminates all convergence delays, but the trap here is that non-edge ports still require a brief transition delay, and candidates may forget that PortFast (edge port configuration) is necessary to avoid this delay for host-facing ports.
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
✓
The server port is not configured as an edge port, causing STP convergence delay.
When a link fails in a Rapid PVST+ network, the switch that is the root bridge for the VLAN must reconverge. If the server port is not configured as an edge port (using the 'spanning-tree portfast' command), the switch will transition the port through the listening and learning states (even with Rapid PVST+, non-edge ports still undergo a brief convergence delay). This delay causes intermittent connectivity until the port reaches the forwarding state.
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 server port is not configured as an edge port, causing STP convergence delay.
Why this is correct
Non-edge ports go through STP states, causing delays.
- ✗
The server is sending BPDUs with a higher priority.
Why it's wrong here
Servers typically don't send BPDUs.
- ✗
The root bridge is flapping due to a configuration mismatch.
Why it's wrong here
Root bridge flapping is not typical for rapid PVST+.
- ✗
OSPF hold-down timers are preventing route updates.
Why it's wrong here
Hold-down timers are for OSPF, not STP.
Visual reference
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every 200-901 question from scratch — 989 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 200-901 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 200-901 exam.