- A
Informs require the NMS to send an acknowledgment back to the router.
Informs are confirmed notifications; the NMS must respond with an acknowledgment, or the router retransmits.
- B
Traps are more reliable than informs because they use UDP with a higher priority.
Why wrong: Informs are more reliable because they include acknowledgment and retransmission; traps are unconfirmed and less reliable.
- C
The default retransmission timeout for informs is 30 seconds.
The default retransmission timeout for SNMP informs is 30 seconds, configurable with the 'timeout' option in 'snmp-server host'.
- D
Informs and traps are mutually exclusive; a router can only send one type to a given NMS.
Why wrong: A router can send both informs and traps to the same NMS, but they must be configured separately with different 'snmp-server host' commands.
- E
Both informs and traps are enabled using the 'snmp-server enable traps' command.
The 'snmp-server enable traps' command enables the generation of both traps and informs; the type is specified in the 'snmp-server host' command.
Quick Answer
The answer is that both informs and traps are enabled using the same `snmp-server enable traps` command, but informs are confirmed notifications while traps are unconfirmed. Informs require the Network Management Station (NMS) to send an acknowledgment; if none is received, the router retransmits the notification, making informs more reliable but also more resource-intensive in terms of memory and CPU due to retransmission handling. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this distinction tests your understanding of SNMP notification reliability versus efficiency—a common scenario asks you to choose which statements correctly describe informs versus traps, often highlighting that both are enabled with the same command but directed differently using the `informs` keyword in the `snmp-server host` command. A key memory tip: think of a trap as a “fire-and-forget” message, while an inform is a “send-and-verify” message—the extra “i” in inform stands for “I need a reply.”
300-410 SNMP Troubleshooting Practice Question
This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of snmp troubleshooting. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 statements correctly describe the use of SNMP inform requests compared to traps? (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
Informs require the NMS to send an acknowledgment back to the router.
Informs are confirmed notifications; the NMS sends an acknowledgment, and the router retransmits if no ack is received. Traps are unconfirmed. Informs consume more resources (memory, CPU) due to retransmission handling. Both can be enabled with 'snmp-server enable traps' and directed with 'snmp-server host' using the 'informs' keyword. The default retransmission timeout for informs is 30 seconds. Informs are more reliable than traps.
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.
- ✓
Informs require the NMS to send an acknowledgment back to the router.
Why this is correct
Informs are confirmed notifications; the NMS must respond with an acknowledgment, or the router retransmits.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Traps are more reliable than informs because they use UDP with a higher priority.
Why it's wrong here
Informs are more reliable because they include acknowledgment and retransmission; traps are unconfirmed and less reliable.
- ✓
The default retransmission timeout for informs is 30 seconds.
Why this is correct
The default retransmission timeout for SNMP informs is 30 seconds, configurable with the 'timeout' option in 'snmp-server host'.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Informs and traps are mutually exclusive; a router can only send one type to a given NMS.
Why it's wrong here
A router can send both informs and traps to the same NMS, but they must be configured separately with different 'snmp-server host' commands.
- ✓
Both informs and traps are enabled using the 'snmp-server enable traps' command.
Why this is correct
The 'snmp-server enable traps' command enables the generation of both traps and informs; the type is specified in the 'snmp-server host' command.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
A router can send both informs and traps to the same NMS, but they must be configured separately with different 'snmp-server host' commands.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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 practitioner preparing for the 300-410 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which 300-410 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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SNMP Troubleshooting — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 300-410 question test?
SNMP Troubleshooting — This question tests SNMP Troubleshooting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Informs require the NMS to send an acknowledgment back to the router. — Informs are confirmed notifications; the NMS sends an acknowledgment, and the router retransmits if no ack is received. Traps are unconfirmed. Informs consume more resources (memory, CPU) due to retransmission handling. Both can be enabled with 'snmp-server enable traps' and directed with 'snmp-server host' using the 'informs' keyword. The default retransmission timeout for informs is 30 seconds. Informs are more reliable than traps.
What should I do if I get this 300-410 question wrong?
Identify which 300-410 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026
This 300-410 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 300-410 exam.
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