hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
300-410 Practice Question: An engineer configures SNMPv2c with a community…
An engineer configures SNMPv2c with a community string 'public' and an ACL that permits only the NMS IP address. The NMS can poll the router successfully. Later, the engineer adds a second community string 'monitor' with a different ACL that permits a second NMS. The first NMS now fails to poll. Which is the most likely explanation?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often assume SNMP community strings have a priority or that only one can be active, but Cisco tests the understanding that multiple community strings can coexist and that a configuration mistake—like omitting the ACL when re-entering the community string—is the typical cause of such failures.
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
✓
The ACL for the 'public' community string was accidentally removed when the 'monitor' community string was added.
The most likely explanation is that when the engineer added the second community string 'monitor' with its associated ACL, the configuration command for the 'public' community string was accidentally overwritten or removed. In Cisco IOS, SNMP community strings are configured individually, and if the engineer used a command like `snmp-server community public RO` without reapplying the ACL, or if the ACL itself was modified or removed, the first NMS would lose access. Since the NMS could poll successfully before the change, the failure afterward points to a configuration error during the addition of the second community string.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
The ACL for the 'public' community string was accidentally removed when the 'monitor' community string was added.
Why this is correct
If the engineer used the 'no snmp-server community public' command to reconfigure, the ACL might have been removed; the new configuration might not include the ACL, allowing all IPs or none.
- ✗
The second community string 'monitor' has a higher priority and overrides the first.
Why it's wrong here
Community strings are independent; the router matches the community string in the request.
- ✗
The router can only support one community string at a time.
Why it's wrong here
Routers support multiple community strings.
- ✗
The first NMS must be reconfigured to use the 'monitor' community string.
Why it's wrong here
The first NMS can continue to use 'public' if it is still configured.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.