350-401 Infrastructure Practice Question
A network engineer is deploying a new branch office switch and needs to configure a switched virtual interface (SVI) to act as the default gateway for VLAN 10. The VLAN has been created and ports have been assigned. Which additional step is required for the SVI to become operational and pass traffic?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that creating the VLAN and assigning ports is sufficient to bring up the SVI, but the SVI also needs an IP address and no shutdown, and at least one active port.
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
✓
Assign an IP address to the SVI with the interface vlan 10 command, then issue no shutdown.
An SVI requires an IP address and must be enabled with no shutdown. The VLAN must exist and have at least one active access port for the SVI to come up. Global IP routing is needed for inter-VLAN routing but does not affect the SVI's operational state. Trunking or port-channels are unrelated to bringing up an SVI for a single VLAN.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Configure a physical port as a trunk and allow VLAN 10 on it.
Why it's wrong here
A trunk port is used to carry multiple VLANs between switches or to a router. For an SVI to act as a gateway within the same switch, a trunk is not required. The SVI only needs an IP address and to be enabled, plus at least one active access port in the VLAN. Configuring a trunk does not directly bring up the SVI.
- ✗
Enable IP routing globally with the ip routing command.
Why it's wrong here
The ip routing command is necessary on a Layer 3 switch to enable routing between VLANs, but it is not the step that makes the SVI operational. The SVI itself must have an IP address and be enabled. Without an IP address, the SVI remains down even if global routing is enabled.
- ✗
Assign the SVI to a port-channel for redundancy.
Why it's wrong here
Port-channels are used for link aggregation and redundancy between devices, not for SVI operation. An SVI is a logical interface within the switch and does not require a port-channel. The SVI becomes active based on VLAN existence and an active port in that VLAN, not on EtherChannel configuration.
- ✓
Assign an IP address to the SVI with the interface vlan 10 command, then issue no shutdown.
Why this is correct
An SVI is created with the interface vlan 10 command. To make it operational, you must assign an IP address and enable it with no shutdown. The SVI will remain down until at least one access port in VLAN 10 is up and the VLAN exists in the VLAN database. Once these conditions are met, the SVI can route traffic for the subnet.
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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.