The answer is show ip interface and show access-lists. The show ip interface command verifies the application of an IPv4 ACL by displaying which access list is applied to a specific interface and its direction, either inbound or outbound, while show access-lists reveals the detailed content of all configured ACLs, including the exact permit or deny statements, sequence numbers, and hit counters that confirm the rules are being matched. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this pair of commands tests your ability to distinguish between verifying where an ACL is applied versus verifying what it contains, a common trap being that show running-config only shows the ACL statements but not the interface binding or hit counts. A reliable memory tip is to think of show ip interface as the “where” command and show access-lists as the “what” command, ensuring you can troubleshoot both placement and logic.
300-410 IPv4 Access Control Lists Practice Question
This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of ipv4 access control lists. 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 application and content of an IPv4 access control list on a Cisco IOS router? (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 ip interface
The 'show ip interface' command displays the access lists applied to an interface, including the direction (inbound/outbound) and the specific ACL name or number. The 'show access-lists' command shows the detailed content of all ACLs, including the exact permit/deny statements, sequence numbers, and hit counts, verifying both the application and the rules.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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 ip interface
Why this is correct
This command shows which ACLs are applied inbound/outbound on each interface.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
show access-lists
Why this is correct
This command displays the ACL entries and their hit counts, confirming content and activity.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
show running-config | include access-list
Why it's wrong here
This shows configuration lines but does not confirm real-time application or hit counts.
✗
show ip route
Why it's wrong here
This displays the routing table, not ACL information.
✗
debug ip packet
Why it's wrong here
This is a debugging tool that can impact performance; it is not a standard verification command.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between commands that verify ACL application (show ip interface) versus content (show access-lists), and candidates mistakenly choose 'show running-config | include access-list' thinking it shows both, but it only shows the configuration lines without interface binding or hit counts.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
This shows configuration lines but does not confirm real-time application or hit counts.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The 'show ip interface' command reveals the ACL applied per interface and direction (e.g., 'Inbound access list is 101'), while 'show access-lists' provides the rule details with hit counters that increment each time a packet matches a line. In real-world troubleshooting, comparing hit counts before and after traffic helps identify which ACL entries are being matched, aiding in policy validation or attack detection.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 300-410 question in full detail.
IPv4 Access Control Lists — This question tests IPv4 Access Control Lists — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: show ip interface — The 'show ip interface' command displays the access lists applied to an interface, including the direction (inbound/outbound) and the specific ACL name or number. The 'show access-lists' command shows the detailed content of all ACLs, including the exact permit/deny statements, sequence numbers, and hit counts, verifying both the application and the rules.
What should I do if I get this 300-410 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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