- A
The syslog server is configured to accept messages only from a specific source IP address.
Why wrong: Incorrect because the scenario does not indicate server-side filtering; the issue is on the switch.
- B
The switch's logging process is disabled by default and must be enabled with 'logging on'.
Correct because 'logging on' is required to start the syslog logging process; without it, no messages are sent even if hosts are configured.
- C
The 'logging trap informational' command is incorrect; it should be 'logging trap 6'.
Why wrong: Incorrect because 'informational' is a valid severity level (level 6); the command is syntactically correct.
- D
The switch uses UDP port 514, but the server listens on TCP port 514.
Why wrong: Incorrect because syslog typically uses UDP; the switch defaults to UDP, and the server must match.
Quick Answer
The answer is that the logging process must be explicitly enabled with the global command 'logging on'. Without this command, the switch will not generate or send syslog messages to any configured remote server, even though the server is reachable via ping and other devices are successfully sending logs. This is a common oversight because while 'logging host' and 'logging trap' define where and what to send, they do not activate the actual logging daemon. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this tests your understanding that syslog is not automatically active on Cisco IOS devices; the trap is that candidates assume configuring a host is sufficient. A reliable memory tip is to think of 'logging on' as the ignition switch—without it, the engine of syslog transmission never starts, regardless of how well the destination is mapped.
350-401 SNMP and Syslog Practice Question
This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of snmp and syslog. 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.
An engineer is troubleshooting a syslog issue on a Cisco switch. The switch is configured with 'logging host 10.1.1.1' and 'logging trap informational'. The syslog server at 10.1.1.1 receives messages from other devices but not from this switch. The engineer can ping 10.1.1.1 from the switch. What is the most likely cause?
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 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 switch's logging process is disabled by default and must be enabled with 'logging on'.
The switch can reach the server, but syslog messages are not being sent. The most common cause is that the logging process is not enabled globally, or the source interface is not set, causing the server to drop messages due to source IP mismatch. However, the correct answer is that the logging facility is not configured, which is required for some syslog implementations.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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 syslog server is configured to accept messages only from a specific source IP address.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because the scenario does not indicate server-side filtering; the issue is on the switch.
- ✓
The switch's logging process is disabled by default and must be enabled with 'logging on'.
Why this is correct
Correct because 'logging on' is required to start the syslog logging process; without it, no messages are sent even if hosts are configured.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The 'logging trap informational' command is incorrect; it should be 'logging trap 6'.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because 'informational' is a valid severity level (level 6); the command is syntactically correct.
- ✗
The switch uses UDP port 514, but the server listens on TCP port 514.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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
Incorrect because 'informational' is a valid severity level (level 6); the command is syntactically correct.
Scenario analysis trap
Incorrect because the scenario does not indicate server-side filtering; the issue is on the switch.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
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.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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.
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SNMP and Syslog — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 350-401 question test?
SNMP and Syslog — This question tests SNMP and Syslog — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The switch's logging process is disabled by default and must be enabled with 'logging on'. — The switch can reach the server, but syslog messages are not being sent. The most common cause is that the logging process is not enabled globally, or the source interface is not set, causing the server to drop messages due to source IP mismatch. However, the correct answer is that the logging facility is not configured, which is required for some syslog implementations.
What should I do if I get this 350-401 question wrong?
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.
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?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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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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