Question 502 of 2,015

Infrastructure Security →mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The correct answer is that this configuration dynamically learns MAC addresses, allows up to two addresses, and if a third MAC is seen, it drops the traffic but keeps the port up. This is because the `switchport port-security mac-address sticky` command enables sticky learning, which dynamically converts learned MAC addresses into secure sticky entries, while `switchport port-security maximum 2` sets the limit, and `switchport port-security violation restrict` instructs the switch to drop offending frames without error-disabling the interface. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this tests your understanding of the three violation modes—protect, restrict, and shutdown—where restrict is the only mode that both drops traffic and generates a syslog message while leaving the port administratively up. A common trap is confusing restrict with shutdown, which would disable the port entirely. Remember the mnemonic: "Restrict reports, Shutdown shuts, Protect is silent."

350-401 Infrastructure Security Practice Question

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.

Examine the following interface configuration on a Cisco IOS-XE switch: ```

interface GigabitEthernet0/1
 switchport mode access
 switchport port-security
 switchport port-security maximum 2
 switchport port-security violation restrict
 switchport port-security mac-address sticky

``` What is the effect of this configuration?

Question 1mediummultiple choice

Full question →

A
The port will dynamically learn MAC addresses, allow up to 2 addresses, and if a third MAC is seen, it will drop the traffic but keep the port up.
Correct. 'violation restrict' drops frames from unknown MACs without disabling the port.
B
The port will learn up to 2 MAC addresses and then shut down if a third is seen.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Shutdown behavior requires 'violation shutdown'.
C
The port will allow only 2 MAC addresses and will generate a syslog message but continue forwarding traffic from the third MAC.
Why wrong: Incorrect. 'restrict' drops the traffic, it does not forward it.
D
The port will learn MAC addresses dynamically and convert them to secure MAC addresses, but the maximum is 1 by default.
Why wrong: Incorrect. The maximum is explicitly set to 2.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

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

✓

The port will dynamically learn MAC addresses, allow up to 2 addresses, and if a third MAC is seen, it will drop the traffic but keep the port up.

This configuration enables port security with sticky MAC learning, allowing up to 2 MAC addresses, and sets the violation mode to restrict (drops offending traffic but does not shut down the port).

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 port will dynamically learn MAC addresses, allow up to 2 addresses, and if a third MAC is seen, it will drop the traffic but keep the port up.
Why this is correct
Correct. 'violation restrict' drops frames from unknown MACs without disabling the port.
Related concept
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
✗
The port will learn up to 2 MAC addresses and then shut down if a third is seen.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Shutdown behavior requires 'violation shutdown'.
✗
The port will allow only 2 MAC addresses and will generate a syslog message but continue forwarding traffic from the third MAC.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. 'restrict' drops the traffic, it does not forward it.
✗
The port will learn MAC addresses dynamically and convert them to secure MAC addresses, but the maximum is 1 by default.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. The maximum is explicitly set to 2.

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.

What to study next

Got this wrong? Here's your next step.

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.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this 350-401 question test?

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 port will dynamically learn MAC addresses, allow up to 2 addresses, and if a third MAC is seen, it will drop the traffic but keep the port up. — This configuration enables port security with sticky MAC learning, allowing up to 2 MAC addresses, and sets the violation mode to restrict (drops offending traffic but does not shut down the port).

What should I do if I get this 350-401 question wrong?

What is the key concept behind this question?

Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.

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