350-401 Architecture Practice Question
A network engineer is configuring a Cisco IOS switch and needs to assign a specific port to VLAN 20 as an access port. The port is currently in VLAN 1 and is administratively up. Which sequence of interface configuration commands correctly places the port into VLAN 20 as an access port?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse the global vlan command that creates a VLAN with the interface-level switchport access vlan command that assigns a port to an existing VLAN.
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
✓
switchport mode access followed by switchport access vlan 20
To place an interface into a specific VLAN as an access port on a Cisco IOS switch, the engineer enters interface configuration mode, sets the port to access mode with switchport mode access, and assigns the VLAN with switchport access vlan 20. This ensures the port carries untagged traffic for VLAN 20 only.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
switchport mode access followed by switchport access vlan 20
Why this is correct
Entering interface configuration mode and issuing switchport mode access sets the port to access mode, and switchport access vlan 20 assigns it to VLAN 20. This is the standard Cisco IOS method to configure a static access port. The VLAN must exist in the VLAN database, but the command sequence itself is correct for placing the port into VLAN 20.
- ✗
vlan 20 followed by switchport mode access
Why it's wrong here
The vlan 20 command is used in global configuration mode to create a VLAN in the VLAN database, not inside interface configuration mode to assign a port. Issuing it at the interface prompt produces an error or does not assign the port. The port would remain in its current VLAN because the access VLAN assignment is missing.
- ✗
switchport mode dynamic auto followed by switchport access vlan 20
Why it's wrong here
Dynamic auto mode allows the port to negotiate trunking if the neighbor initiates it, so it is not a static access port. Although the access VLAN can be preconfigured, the port may become a trunk, which violates the requirement for a dedicated access port in VLAN 20. Static access mode is the correct choice here.
- ✗
switchport access vlan 20 followed by switchport mode trunk
Why it's wrong here
This sequence assigns the port to VLAN 20 but then changes it to trunk mode, which is used for carrying multiple VLANs between switches. A trunk port does not behave as a single-VLAN access port, so the endpoint would not be placed into VLAN 20 as required. The order and the trunk command make this incorrect for the scenario.
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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.