Quick Answer
The answer is that the SXP connection to 10.1.1.1 has been up for 2 days and 3 hours, while the connection to 10.1.1.3 is down. This is correct because the show cts sxp connections command displays the status of Security Group Tag (SGT) exchange mappings between peers; the "Conn Status" column directly indicates whether the SXP session is actively exchanging SGTs (Up) or has failed (Down), and the "Duration" column confirms how long the current state has persisted. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this command tests your ability to interpret SXP peer status for Cisco TrustSec, often as part of a troubleshooting scenario where a down connection means no SGT propagation is occurring. A common trap is confusing the Source IP with the Peer IP—remember that the Peer IP is the remote device you are connecting to, and the Source IP is your local interface. Memory tip: "Peer is the partner, Source is yourself; Up means SGTs are on the shelf."
This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of 802.1x and trustsec. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A network engineer runs the following command on switch SW5:
SW5# show cts sxp connections
SXP Connections:
Peer IP Source IP Conn Status Duration
10.1.1.1 10.1.1.2 Up 2d3h 10.1.1.3 10.1.1.2 Down 0d0h
Based on this output, what can be concluded?
Both SXP connections are operational.
Why wrong: The connection to 10.1.1.3 is Down.
The SXP connection to 10.1.1.1 has been up for 2 days and 3 hours.
The output shows Up and duration 2d3h for peer 10.1.1.1.
The switch is using 802.1X for authentication.
Why wrong: The output does not mention 802.1X.
The SXP connection to 10.1.1.3 is up.
Why wrong: The status for 10.1.1.3 is Down.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
The SXP connection to 10.1.1.1 has been up for 2 days and 3 hours.
The output shows SXP connections. One connection to 10.1.1.1 is up for 2 days and 3 hours, while another to 10.1.1.3 is down. This indicates that SGT mapping exchange is active with 10.1.1.1 but not with 10.1.1.3.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Both SXP connections are operational.
Why it's wrong here
The connection to 10.1.1.3 is Down.
The SXP connection to 10.1.1.1 has been up for 2 days and 3 hours.
Why this is correct
The output shows Up and duration 2d3h for peer 10.1.1.1.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
The switch is using 802.1X for authentication.
Why it's wrong here
The output does not mention 802.1X.
The SXP connection to 10.1.1.3 is up.
Why it's wrong here
The status for 10.1.1.3 is Down.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The output does not mention 802.1X.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the 350-401 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Identify which 350-401 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
802.1X and TrustSec — study guide chapter
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FAQ
802.1X and TrustSec — This question tests 802.1X and TrustSec — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: The SXP connection to 10.1.1.1 has been up for 2 days and 3 hours. — The output shows SXP connections. One connection to 10.1.1.1 is up for 2 days and 3 hours, while another to 10.1.1.3 is down. This indicates that SGT mapping exchange is active with 10.1.1.1 but not with 10.1.1.3.
Identify which 350-401 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026
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.
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