- A
Create an extended ACL that matches TCP port 22 (SSH) and UDP port 161 (SNMP).
Correct. ACLs are used to match the specific control plane traffic (SSH and SNMP) for classification.
- B
Apply the CoPP policy under the interface configuration mode using 'service-policy input'.
Why wrong: Incorrect. CoPP is applied under the control-plane configuration, not under a physical interface.
- C
Configure a class-map that matches the ACL created in step A.
Correct. The class-map uses the ACL to classify SSH and SNMP traffic.
- D
Apply the CoPP policy under the control-plane configuration using 'service-policy output'.
Why wrong: Incorrect. CoPP uses 'service-policy input' because the control plane receives traffic; 'output' is not supported for CoPP.
- E
Use the 'police' command with 'conform-action drop' to drop all SSH and SNMP traffic.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Dropping all SSH and SNMP traffic would block legitimate management access. The engineer should rate-limit or drop only excessive traffic.
Quick Answer
The answer is to configure a class-map that matches the ACL created to identify SSH and SNMP traffic. This is correct because CoPP (Control Plane Policing) protects the router’s control plane by classifying traffic into classes—here, SSH and SNMP—and applying a police rate to drop excessive or malicious packets. The CoPP configuration steps for SSH and SNMP require first building an ACL to match these protocols, then referencing that ACL in a class-map, and finally applying a policy-map with a police action under the control-plane configuration using the service-policy input command. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this tests your understanding of control plane protection mechanisms and the correct hierarchical structure of MQC (Modular QoS CLI). A common trap is applying the policy-map to a physical interface or using service-policy output, both of which fail to protect the control plane from inbound DoS attacks. Memory tip: think “ACL, class, policy, control—input only” to recall the four-step sequence and the mandatory direction.
300-410 Control Plane Policing (CoPP) Practice Question
This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of control plane policing (copp). This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
An engineer must implement CoPP to protect the control plane of a Cisco IOS router from a DoS attack targeting SSH and SNMP. Which TWO configuration changes are required? (Choose TWO.)
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
Create an extended ACL that matches TCP port 22 (SSH) and UDP port 161 (SNMP).
To protect SSH and SNMP, the engineer must create ACLs to match these protocols, then create a class-map that references the ACLs, and a policy-map that applies a police rate with an appropriate action (e.g., drop for attack traffic). The policy-map must be applied under the control-plane configuration with 'service-policy input'. Applying under a physical interface is incorrect. Using 'service-policy output' is also incorrect.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Create an extended ACL that matches TCP port 22 (SSH) and UDP port 161 (SNMP).
- ✗
Apply the CoPP policy under the interface configuration mode using 'service-policy input'.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. CoPP is applied under the control-plane configuration, not under a physical interface.
- ✓
Configure a class-map that matches the ACL created in step A.
- ✗
Apply the CoPP policy under the control-plane configuration using 'service-policy output'.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. CoPP uses 'service-policy input' because the control plane receives traffic; 'output' is not supported for CoPP.
- ✗
Use the 'police' command with 'conform-action drop' to drop all SSH and SNMP traffic.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Incorrect. CoPP uses 'service-policy input' because the control plane receives traffic; 'output' is not supported for CoPP.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related 300-410 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
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Control Plane Policing (CoPP) — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 300-410 question test?
Control Plane Policing (CoPP) — This question tests Control Plane Policing (CoPP) — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create an extended ACL that matches TCP port 22 (SSH) and UDP port 161 (SNMP). — To protect SSH and SNMP, the engineer must create ACLs to match these protocols, then create a class-map that references the ACLs, and a policy-map that applies a police rate with an appropriate action (e.g., drop for attack traffic). The policy-map must be applied under the control-plane configuration with 'service-policy input'. Applying under a physical interface is incorrect. Using 'service-policy output' is also incorrect.
What should I do if I get this 300-410 question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related 300-410 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026
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