This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of ip sla. 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.
Which TWO commands are used to configure an IP SLA ICMP echo operation on a Cisco IOS device? (Choose TWO.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
ip sla 1
To configure an IP SLA ICMP echo operation, you start with 'ip sla <operation-number>' to enter IP SLA configuration mode, then use 'icmp-echo <destination> [source-ip <src>]' to define the probe. The 'frequency' command sets how often the probe is sent. The 'ip sla schedule' is used to start the operation, not to configure it. The 'track' command is used separately to monitor the operation. The 'ip sla monitor' is legacy.
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.
✓
ip sla 1
Why this is correct
This command enters IP SLA configuration mode for operation number 1.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✓
icmp-echo 192.168.1.1 source-ip 10.0.0.1
Why this is correct
This defines the ICMP echo operation with destination and source IP.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✗
ip sla schedule 1 life forever start-time now
Why it's wrong here
This schedules the operation to run, but it is not part of the configuration of the operation itself.
✗
track 1 ip sla 1 reachability
Why it's wrong here
This creates a tracking object that monitors the IP SLA operation, but it is not used to configure the operation.
✗
ip sla monitor 1
Why it's wrong here
This is a legacy command from older IOS versions and is not used in modern configurations.
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
This is a legacy command from older IOS versions and is not used in modern configurations.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
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 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.
IP SLA — This question tests IP SLA — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: ip sla 1 — To configure an IP SLA ICMP echo operation, you start with 'ip sla <operation-number>' to enter IP SLA configuration mode, then use 'icmp-echo <destination> [source-ip <src>]' to define the probe. The 'frequency' command sets how often the probe is sent. The 'ip sla schedule' is used to start the operation, not to configure it. The 'track' command is used separately to monitor the operation. The 'ip sla monitor' is legacy.
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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Question Discussion
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