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300-410 Practice Question: Snmp-server ifindex persist What is the effect of…
snmp-server ifindex persist
What is the effect of this configuration?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the misconception that `snmp-server ifindex persist` affects SNMP trap generation or interface statistics, when in reality it only ensures the ifIndex values remain constant across reloads.
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
✓
Interface indices are preserved after a device reload.
The `snmp-server ifindex persist` command configures the router to save interface index (ifIndex) values in non-volatile memory (the private configuration or NVRAM) so that after a reload, each interface retains its original ifIndex. This is critical for SNMP management systems that rely on stable ifIndex values to correlate interface statistics across reboots, as the default behavior is to assign ifIndex values dynamically based on the order interfaces are discovered, which can change after a reload.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Interface indices are preserved after a device reload.
Why this is correct
Without persistence, interface indices are reassigned on reload, breaking SNMP monitoring that references them. The ifindex persist command writes indices to non-volatile storage, so the same index maps to the same interface after a device reload.
- ✗
Interface statistics are cleared on reload.
Why it's wrong here
The command preserves ifIndex values across reloads; it does not clear interface statistics, which reset independently of this setting. It is tempting because reloads do reset counters, but that behaviour is unrelated to ifIndex persistence, whose purpose is keeping SNMP interface indexes stable so monitoring tools do not misattribute data after a restart.
- ✗
SNMP traps are sent for interface state changes.
Why it's wrong here
This command concerns ifIndex persistence, not trap generation; interface state-change traps are controlled by separate snmp-server enable traps commands. It is tempting because both relate to SNMP interface monitoring, but the scenario asks what ifindex persist does, and trap configuration is an unrelated feature that must be enabled independently.
- ✗
The ifIndex is based on the interface name.
Why it's wrong here
ifIndex values are assigned numerically by the device and persist across reloads; they are not derived from interface names. It is tempting because name-based indexing would be intuitive for humans, but SNMP relies on stable numeric indexes, and this command simply saves the existing assignments rather than changing how they are generated.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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