- A
SNMP GET
Why wrong: SNMP GET requests the value of a specific OID. Polling frequently would generate significant overhead, as the NMS must send requests repeatedly.
- B
SNMP GETNEXT
Why wrong: SNMP GETNEXT is used to walk through a MIB tree sequentially. It also requires polling and would increase network traffic if used for continuous monitoring.
- C
SNMP WALK
Why wrong: SNMP WALK is an extended GETNEXT that retrieves a whole subtree. It is even more resource-intensive than simple GET requests, making it unsuitable for low-overhead monitoring.
- D
SNMP TRAP
SNMP traps are unsolicited messages from the agent to the NMS when certain events occur (e.g., CPU threshold exceeded). They reduce overhead because the NMS does not need to poll; the agent sends data only when necessary.
N10-009 Network Operations Practice Question
This N10-009 practice question tests your understanding of network operations. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 NOC technician observes that the CPU usage on a core switch has been consistently above 90% for the past hour. Which SNMP operation should the technician use to monitor the CPU load over time with minimal network overhead?
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
SNMP TRAP
D is correct because SNMP TRAP is an unsolicited notification sent from the agent (the switch) to the NMS, which allows the NOC to receive CPU load alerts only when a threshold is exceeded, minimizing network overhead by avoiding continuous polling. In this scenario, the technician wants to monitor CPU load over time with minimal overhead, and traps provide event-driven reporting rather than periodic requests, reducing bandwidth and processing load on both the switch and the network.
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.
- ✗
SNMP GET
Why it's wrong here
SNMP GET requests the value of a specific OID. Polling frequently would generate significant overhead, as the NMS must send requests repeatedly.
- ✗
SNMP GETNEXT
Why it's wrong here
SNMP GETNEXT is used to walk through a MIB tree sequentially. It also requires polling and would increase network traffic if used for continuous monitoring.
- ✗
SNMP WALK
Why it's wrong here
SNMP WALK is an extended GETNEXT that retrieves a whole subtree. It is even more resource-intensive than simple GET requests, making it unsuitable for low-overhead monitoring.
- ✓
SNMP TRAP
Why this is correct
SNMP traps are unsolicited messages from the agent to the NMS when certain events occur (e.g., CPU threshold exceeded). They reduce overhead because the NMS does not need to poll; the agent sends data only when necessary.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse SNMP TRAP with SNMP GET, assuming that polling is necessary for monitoring, but the question explicitly asks for minimal network overhead, which traps achieve by eliminating the need for repeated requests.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SNMP traps are defined in RFC 1157 and later in RFC 3416 (SNMPv2c) as unsolicited messages sent from agent to manager, typically triggered by a threshold crossing (e.g., CPU load > 90%) configured via RMON or device-specific MIB objects like CISCO-PROCESS-MIB::cpmCPUTotal5sec. Unlike polling, traps use UDP port 162 and are fire-and-forget, meaning the NMS does not acknowledge receipt, which reduces network chatter but risks message loss if the network is congested. In a real-world NOC, traps are often combined with polling for critical metrics to ensure data integrity, but for minimal overhead, traps are the preferred method.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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 N10-009 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 exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this N10-009 question test?
Network Operations — This question tests Network Operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: SNMP TRAP — D is correct because SNMP TRAP is an unsolicited notification sent from the agent (the switch) to the NMS, which allows the NOC to receive CPU load alerts only when a threshold is exceeded, minimizing network overhead by avoiding continuous polling. In this scenario, the technician wants to monitor CPU load over time with minimal overhead, and traps provide event-driven reporting rather than periodic requests, reducing bandwidth and processing load on both the switch and the network.
What should I do if I get this N10-009 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This N10-009 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA 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 N10-009 exam.
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