The correct conclusion is that traffic from SGT 10 to SGT 20 is being permitted, while traffic from SGT 10 to SGT 30 is being denied. This is determined by interpreting the CTS role-based counters output, where the "Packets Sent" and "Bytes Sent" columns indicate permitted traffic, and the "Packets Denied" and "Bytes Denied" columns reflect blocked traffic. In the output, the row for source group 10 to destination group 20 shows 1,500 packets sent with zero denied, confirming a permit policy, whereas the row for source group 10 to destination group 30 shows zero packets sent and 500 denied, confirming a deny policy. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this command tests your ability to read Cisco TrustSec role-based access control statistics and correlate them with policy enforcement. A common trap is misreading the "Packets Sent" column as total traffic rather than permitted traffic, so always check the "Denied" counters to confirm the policy action. Memory tip: think of "Sent" as "Success" and "Denied" as "Dropped" to quickly match the counters to the permit or deny outcome.
350-401 802.1X and TrustSec Practice Question
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 SW6:
SW6# show cts role-based counters
Role-based counters:
Source Group Dest Group Packets Sent Bytes Sent Packets Denied Bytes Denied
10 20 1500 120000 0 0
10 30 0 0 500 40000
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Traffic from SGT 10 to SGT 20 is being permitted, and traffic from SGT 10 to SGT 30 is being denied.
The output shows packet and byte counters for role-based policies. For source 10 to dest 20, 1500 packets were sent and none denied, indicating a permit policy. For source 10 to dest 30, 0 packets sent and 500 denied, indicating a deny policy. This matches the permissions seen in a previous question.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Traffic from SGT 10 to SGT 20 is being denied.
Why it's wrong here
The counters show 0 packets denied for that flow.
✗
Traffic from SGT 10 to SGT 30 is being permitted.
Why it's wrong here
The counters show 500 packets denied for that flow.
✓
Traffic from SGT 10 to SGT 20 is being permitted, and traffic from SGT 10 to SGT 30 is being denied.
Why this is correct
The counters confirm permit for 10->20 and deny for 10->30.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
No traffic has been sent between any SGTs.
Why it's wrong here
Traffic has been sent from 10 to 20.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The counters show 0 packets denied for that flow.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
The first matching ACL entry is used.
There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
→Check inbound versus outbound direction.
→Read the ACL from top to bottom.
→Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 350-401 question in full detail.
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related 350-401 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
802.1X and TrustSec — This question tests 802.1X and TrustSec — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Traffic from SGT 10 to SGT 20 is being permitted, and traffic from SGT 10 to SGT 30 is being denied. — The output shows packet and byte counters for role-based policies. For source 10 to dest 20, 1500 packets were sent and none denied, indicating a permit policy. For source 10 to dest 30, 0 packets sent and 500 denied, indicating a deny policy. This matches the permissions seen in a previous question.
What should I do if I get this 350-401 question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related 350-401 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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