200-901 Infrastructure and Automation Practice Question
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit. ! From a Nexus switch: interface Ethernet1/1 description Connected to Server switchport mode access switchport access vlan 10 spanning-tree portfast no shutdown
An automation engineer runs a Python script using the Cisco NXOS NX-API to retrieve the interface configuration. The JSON response shows the 'switchport access vlan' as '10'. However, VLAN 10 does not exist in the VLAN database. What is the expected behavior of the switch regarding this interface?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between configuration and operational state, trapping candidates who assume a configured VLAN ID automatically makes the interface active even if the VLAN does not exist.
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 interface will be operationally down
When a switchport is configured with an access VLAN that does not exist in the VLAN database, the interface remains administratively up but is placed in an operationally down state. This occurs because the switch cannot forward traffic for a non-existent VLAN, and the interface will not transition to a forwarding state until the VLAN is created. The NX-API response reflects the configured VLAN ID, but the operational status is determined by the VLAN's existence.
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 interface will work but traffic will be dropped
Why it's wrong here
The interface will be down, not working and dropping traffic.
- ✗
The switch will automatically create the VLAN
Why it's wrong here
NX-OS does not automatically create VLANs.
- ✗
The interface will be error-disabled
Why it's wrong here
Error-disabled typically occurs due to security violations, not missing VLAN.
- ✓
The interface will be operationally down
Why this is correct
Without the VLAN, the interface cannot function and is placed in down state.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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