350-401 Infrastructure Practice Question
A network engineer at a large enterprise is deploying a new branch office. The branch has two Cisco Catalyst switches, SW1 and SW2, that must participate in the same Layer 2 domain. SW1 is configured as the VTP server with domain 'CORP' and version 2. SW2 is a new switch with a higher VTP revision number and the same domain and password, but it has an empty VLAN database. The engineer connects SW2 to SW1 via a trunk link. What will happen to the VLAN database on SW1?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that a VTP server will always overwrite clients; in reality, the highest revision number wins regardless of server or client role.
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
✓
SW1 will synchronize its VLAN database to SW2's database, potentially deleting VLANs.
VTP uses the configuration revision number to determine which switch has the most recent VLAN database. When SW2 with a higher revision number connects, SW1 accepts SW2's advertisement and replaces its own VLAN database, even though SW1 is the server. This can cause VLANs to be deleted, so it is critical to reset the revision number on new switches before connecting them to the production network.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
SW1 will not synchronize because VTP version 2 requires the same configuration revision number.
Why it's wrong here
VTP version 2 does not require the same revision number; it uses the higher revision number to decide which database is newer. Requiring identical revision numbers would prevent any synchronization in normal operation. The actual behavior is that the higher revision number wins, so SW1 will synchronize to SW2's database.
- ✗
SW1 will overwrite SW2's VLAN database because SW1 is the VTP server.
Why it's wrong here
VTP server status does not protect against a higher revision number. A VTP server will accept and synchronize to a superior advertisement from another server or client if the revision number is higher, even if that means deleting VLANs. Therefore, SW1 will not overwrite SW2; instead, SW1 will adopt SW2's database, which is likely empty, causing a VLAN outage.
- ✓
SW1 will synchronize its VLAN database to SW2's database, potentially deleting VLANs.
Why this is correct
VTP uses the highest revision number within the same domain and password to determine which database is most current. SW2 has a higher revision number, so SW1 will accept SW2's advertisement and overwrite its own VLAN database with SW2's, which is empty. This can wipe out all VLANs on SW1 and disrupt the network.
- ✗
SW1 will reject SW2's advertisement because SW2 is not a VTP server.
Why it's wrong here
VTP clients and servers both send and process advertisements. A VTP client can propagate a higher revision number and cause other switches to overwrite their databases. The VTP server role does not grant authority to reject advertisements from non-servers; the revision number is the deciding factor, so SW1 will not reject SW2's advertisement.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
This 350-401 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 350-401 exam.