This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of infrastructure security. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 is configuring dynamic ARP inspection (DAI) on a Cisco switch to prevent ARP spoofing. The switch has DHCP snooping enabled and the DHCP server is trusted. The engineer enables DAI on VLAN 10 and configures 'ip arp inspection trust' on the port connected to the DHCP server. After enabling DAI, some legitimate ARP replies from hosts are being dropped. The engineer checks the DAI statistics and sees 'ARP ACL drops' incrementing. What is the most likely reason?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The hosts have static IP addresses, so their MAC-IP bindings are not in the DHCP snooping database.
DAI validates ARP packets against the DHCP snooping binding table. If a host has a static IP address, its MAC-IP binding is not in the DHCP snooping database, so DAI drops the ARP replies unless an ARP ACL is configured to permit them. Option A is correct because static hosts need an ARP ACL. Option B is incorrect because the DHCP server port is trusted, but that does not affect host ARP replies. Option C is incorrect because DAI does not require the DHCP server to be in the same VLAN. Option D is incorrect because DAI validates source MAC and IP, not destination.
Key principle: A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
The hosts have static IP addresses, so their MAC-IP bindings are not in the DHCP snooping database.
Why this is correct
Correct because DAI relies on the DHCP snooping binding table; static hosts require an ARPACL.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
✗
The port connected to the DHCP server should be untrusted for DAI to work correctly.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because the DHCP server port must be trusted to allow its ARP traffic.
✗
The DHCP server is in a different VLAN, and DAI cannot validate cross-VLAN ARP.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because DAI operates per VLAN and can validate ARP from any source if the binding exists.
✗
DAI is checking the destination MAC address, which does not match the expected value.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because DAI checks source MAC and IP, not destination.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: an active trunk can still block the VLAN you need
A trunk being up does not prove every VLAN is crossing it. Check allowed VLAN lists, native VLAN mismatch, VLAN existence and access-port assignment.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
VLAN questions usually combine access-port and trunking clues. The key is to identify whether the issue is local to one switchport, caused by the trunk, or caused by the VLAN not existing where it needs to exist.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
Trunk ports carry multiple VLANs between switches.
Allowed VLAN lists decide which VLANs can cross a trunk.
Native VLAN mismatch can create confusing symptoms.
TExam Day Tips
→Use show vlan brief to verify access VLANs.
→Use show interfaces trunk to verify trunk state and allowed VLANs.
→Do not treat every same-VLAN issue as a routing problem.
Key takeaway
A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A help-desk technician troubleshoots why a newly connected PC cannot reach shared printers on the same floor. The cable is good, the switch port is active, but the PC is in VLAN 20 and the printers are in VLAN 10. The uplink trunk only allows VLAN 10. A trunk being up does not mean every VLAN crosses it.
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 VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related 350-401 questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
Infrastructure Security — This question tests Infrastructure Security — Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The hosts have static IP addresses, so their MAC-IP bindings are not in the DHCP snooping database. — DAI validates ARP packets against the DHCP snooping binding table. If a host has a static IP address, its MAC-IP binding is not in the DHCP snooping database, so DAI drops the ARP replies unless an ARP ACL is configured to permit them. Option A is correct because static hosts need an ARP ACL. Option B is incorrect because the DHCP server port is trusted, but that does not affect host ARP replies. Option C is incorrect because DAI does not require the DHCP server to be in the same VLAN. Option D is incorrect because DAI validates source MAC and IP, not destination.
What should I do if I get this 350-401 question wrong?
Review VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related 350-401 questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
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