Question 1,733 of 2,015

SPAN and RSPAN →hardMultiple SelectObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The correct statements are that a SPAN source can be an EtherChannel, and a SPAN destination port cannot simultaneously serve as a source port. This is because SPAN configuration on IOS-XE allows you to mirror traffic from a single port or an entire EtherChannel bundle for monitoring, but the destination port is placed into a special forwarding state that isolates it from normal data plane operations—it cannot both send and receive mirrored traffic. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this topic tests your understanding of local SPAN limitations, with a common trap being the false claim that a destination port must be in the same VLAN as the source; in reality, the destination port is placed into a dedicated SPAN mode and can reside in any VLAN. Another frequent distractor is that a routed port can serve as a destination, which is false because the destination must be a switchport. Remember the mnemonic: “Source can bundle, destination can’t mingle.”

350-401 SPAN and RSPAN Practice Question

This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of span and rspan. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.

Which two statements about configuring SPAN on Cisco IOS-XE switches are true? (Choose two.)

Question 1hardmulti select

Full question →

A
A SPAN source can be a physical port or an EtherChannel interface.
Correct because SPAN supports both physical ports and port-channel interfaces as sources.
B
A SPAN destination port can also be configured as a SPAN source port.
Why wrong: Incorrect because a port used as a SPAN destination cannot be a SPAN source; it is dedicated to receiving mirrored traffic.
C
Only one source port can be configured per SPAN session.
Why wrong: Incorrect because a SPAN session can include multiple source ports (or VLANs).
D
The SPAN destination port must belong to the same VLAN as the source port.
Why wrong: Incorrect because the destination port is placed in a special SPAN mode and does not need to match the source VLAN.
E
A SPAN destination port cannot be a routed port.
Correct because SPAN destination ports must be switchports (Layer 2) and cannot be routed ports.

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

✓

A SPAN source can be a physical port or an EtherChannel interface.

A SPAN source can be a single port or an EtherChannel. A SPAN destination port cannot be a source port simultaneously. The destination port must be in the same VLAN as the source for local SPAN? Actually, the destination port can be in any VLAN, but it is placed in a special SPAN mode. The correct statements: source can be an EtherChannel; destination port cannot be a source port. The others are false: you can have multiple source ports; the destination port does not need to be in the same VLAN; you cannot use a routed port as a SPAN 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.

✓
A SPAN source can be a physical port or an EtherChannel interface.
Why this is correct
Correct because SPAN supports both physical ports and port-channel interfaces as sources.
Related concept
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
✗
A SPAN destination port can also be configured as a SPAN source port.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because a port used as a SPAN destination cannot be a SPAN source; it is dedicated to receiving mirrored traffic.
✗
Only one source port can be configured per SPAN session.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because a SPAN session can include multiple source ports (or VLANs).
✗
The SPAN destination port must belong to the same VLAN as the source port.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because the destination port is placed in a special SPAN mode and does not need to match the source VLAN.
✓
A SPAN destination port cannot be a routed port.
Why this is correct
Correct because SPAN destination ports must be switchports (Layer 2) and cannot be routed ports.
Related concept
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.

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?

SPAN and RSPAN — This question tests SPAN and RSPAN — Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: A SPAN source can be a physical port or an EtherChannel interface. — A SPAN source can be a single port or an EtherChannel. A SPAN destination port cannot be a source port simultaneously. The destination port must be in the same VLAN as the source for local SPAN? Actually, the destination port can be in any VLAN, but it is placed in a special SPAN mode. The correct statements: source can be an EtherChannel; destination port cannot be a source port. The others are false: you can have multiple source ports; the destination port does not need to be in the same VLAN; you cannot use a routed port as a SPAN destination.

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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Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026

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