easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
300-410 Practice Question: Configures SNMPv2c on router R3 with 'snmp-server…
A network engineer configures SNMPv2c on router R3 with 'snmp-server community cisco RO' and 'snmp-server community cisco RW'. The NMS can poll read-only data but fails when trying to write a configuration value. The NMS uses the RW community string. What is the most likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the subtlety that identical community strings with different access levels cause the first-configured entry to take precedence, leading candidates to overlook the order of configuration lines.
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 community string 'cisco' is used for both RO and RW; the router applies the first matching community, which is RO.
When two SNMPv2c community strings are identical (both 'cisco'), the router applies the first matching entry in its configuration. Since 'snmp-server community cisco RO' is configured before 'snmp-server community cisco RW', the router treats all requests using 'cisco' as read-only, regardless of the intended access level. This prevents write operations even when the NMS correctly sends the RW 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 community string 'cisco' is used for both RO and RW; the router applies the first matching community, which is RO.
Why this is correct
Correct because identical community strings cause the router to use the RO access, preventing writes.
- ✗
The NMS is sending the community string in uppercase, but the router expects lowercase.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because community strings are case-sensitive, but the NMS would fail for both RO and RW if case mismatched.
- ✗
The router needs the 'snmp-server enable traps' command to allow write operations.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because enabling traps is unrelated to write access.
- ✗
The NMS must use SNMPv3 for write operations; SNMPv2c does not support writes.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because SNMPv2c supports write operations with the RW community.
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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.