The answer is the show monitor command. This command, along with its more specific variant show monitor session [session number], directly displays the operational status of a local SPAN session by listing all configured sessions, their source and destination interfaces, and whether the session is active or inactive. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this tests your ability to verify network monitoring configurations without relying on unrelated commands like show interfaces or show spanning-tree, which are common traps. A frequent mistake is confusing SPAN verification with VLAN or interface status checks, so remember that only show monitor reveals the actual session state. For a quick memory tip, think “Monitor shows the mirror”—if you need to confirm a SPAN session is running, always start with show monitor.
300-410 SPAN, RSPAN, and ERSPAN Practice Question
This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of span, rspan, and erspan. 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.
Which TWO commands verify the operational status of a local SPAN session on a Cisco IOS-XE switch? (Choose TWO.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
show monitor session 1
The 'show monitor session 1' command displays details of a specific SPAN session, including source and destination interfaces and operational state. The 'show monitor' command lists all configured SPAN sessions and their status. 'show spanning-tree' is unrelated, 'show interfaces' does not show SPAN status, and 'show vlan' is for VLAN information.
Key principle: A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.
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 monitor session 1
Why this is correct
Displays detailed information about a specific SPAN session, including source, destination, and operational status.
Related concept
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
✓
show monitor
Why this is correct
Lists all configured SPAN sessions and their current state.
Related concept
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
Displays interface statistics and status, but not SPAN session details.
✗
show vlan
Why it's wrong here
Shows VLAN configuration and membership, not SPAN status.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: an active trunk can still block the VLAN you need
A trunk being up does not prove every VLAN is crossing it. Check allowed VLAN lists, native VLAN mismatch, VLAN existence and access-port assignment.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Shows Spanning Tree Protocol information, not SPAN session status.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
VLAN questions usually combine access-port and trunking clues. The key is to identify whether the issue is local to one switchport, caused by the trunk, or caused by the VLAN not existing where it needs to exist.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
Trunk ports carry multiple VLANs between switches.
Allowed VLAN lists decide which VLANs can cross a trunk.
Native VLAN mismatch can create confusing symptoms.
TExam Day Tips
→Use show vlan brief to verify access VLANs.
→Use show interfaces trunk to verify trunk state and allowed VLANs.
→Do not treat every same-VLAN issue as a routing problem.
Key takeaway
A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 300-410 question in full detail.
Review VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related 300-410 questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
SPAN, RSPAN, and ERSPAN — This question tests SPAN, RSPAN, and ERSPAN — Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: show monitor session 1 — The 'show monitor session 1' command displays details of a specific SPAN session, including source and destination interfaces and operational state. The 'show monitor' command lists all configured SPAN sessions and their status. 'show spanning-tree' is unrelated, 'show interfaces' does not show SPAN status, and 'show vlan' is for VLAN information.
What should I do if I get this 300-410 question wrong?
Review VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related 300-410 questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
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