- A
Save the running configuration to the startup configuration.
Why wrong: This overwrites the startup configuration with the current running config, which may already include partial changes. It does not create a separate backup for rollback.
- B
Back up the current configuration to an external TFTP or SCP server.
A backup stored externally provides a reliable restore point that is independent of the router's memory. This is the best practice before making major changes.
- C
Test the QoS policy in a lab environment.
Why wrong: Testing is ideal, but if a lab is unavailable, the immediate step is to back up the production configuration. The question asks what should be done FIRST before implementing.
- D
Schedule a maintenance window and notify the help desk.
Why wrong: While notification and scheduling are important, they should follow the backup step. Without a backup, there is no quick way to revert if something fails.
Quick Answer
The correct first step is to back up the current configuration to an external TFTP or SCP server. This is because change management best practices prioritize a reliable rollback path before any network alteration, and a backup stored externally ensures the original configuration can be restored even if the router reboots or the running-config is corrupted. Saving to startup-config would overwrite the known-good baseline, making reversion impossible without a separate backup. On the CompTIA Network+ N10-009 exam, this concept tests your understanding of the change management backup before QoS policy implementation sequence, often appearing as a trap where candidates mistakenly choose “save to startup-config” first. A common memory tip is “Backup before you break—store it off the box,” reminding you that external storage (TFTP/SCP) preserves a clean fallback for any QoS or policy change.
N10-009 Network Operations Practice Question
This N10-009 practice question tests your understanding of network operations. 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 administrator is about to implement a QoS policy on a core router. According to change management best practices, which step should the administrator perform FIRST to ensure the policy can be reverted if it causes unexpected issues?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Clue:
"first"Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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
Back up the current configuration to an external TFTP or SCP server.
Option B is correct because, under change management best practices, the first step before implementing any change is to create a reliable backup of the current configuration to an external server (e.g., TFTP, SCP, FTP). This ensures that if the QoS policy causes unexpected issues such as traffic drops or misclassification, the administrator can restore the original configuration exactly as it was, even if the router reboots or the running-config is lost. Saving to startup-config (Option A) would overwrite the known-good baseline, making reversion impossible without a separate backup.
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.
- ✗
Save the running configuration to the startup configuration.
Why it's wrong here
This overwrites the startup configuration with the current running config, which may already include partial changes. It does not create a separate backup for rollback.
- ✓
Back up the current configuration to an external TFTP or SCP server.
Why this is correct
A backup stored externally provides a reliable restore point that is independent of the router's memory. This is the best practice before making major changes.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "best", "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Test the QoS policy in a lab environment.
Why it's wrong here
Testing is ideal, but if a lab is unavailable, the immediate step is to back up the production configuration. The question asks what should be done FIRST before implementing.
- ✗
Schedule a maintenance window and notify the help desk.
Why it's wrong here
While notification and scheduling are important, they should follow the backup step. Without a backup, there is no quick way to revert if something fails.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often choose 'Save the running configuration to the startup configuration' (Option A) thinking it preserves the current state, but this actually commits the change permanently, preventing a clean rollback if the new policy fails.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Cisco IOS stores the active configuration in running-config (volatile RAM) and the boot-up configuration in startup-config (NVRAM). A TFTP/SCP backup captures the exact running-config as a flat file, preserving all QoS class maps, policy maps, service policies, and ACLs. In a real-world scenario, if a misconfigured QoS policy causes a voice/video traffic drop, the administrator can use the 'copy tftp://server/backup.cfg running-config' command to instantly restore the original state without relying on NVRAM contents.
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.
- →
Network Operations — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Network Operations practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All N10-009 questions
520 questions across all exam domains
- →
CompTIA Network+ N10-009 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
N10-009 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related N10-009 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Networking Concepts practice questions
Practise N10-009 questions linked to Networking Concepts.
Network Implementation practice questions
Practise N10-009 questions linked to Network Implementation.
Network Operations practice questions
Practise N10-009 questions linked to Network Operations.
Network Security practice questions
Practise N10-009 questions linked to Network Security.
Network Troubleshooting practice questions
Practise N10-009 questions linked to Network Troubleshooting.
Network+ network fundamentals practice questions
Practise N10-009 questions linked to Network+ network fundamentals.
Practice this exam
Start a free N10-009 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
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: Back up the current configuration to an external TFTP or SCP server. — Option B is correct because, under change management best practices, the first step before implementing any change is to create a reliable backup of the current configuration to an external server (e.g., TFTP, SCP, FTP). This ensures that if the QoS policy causes unexpected issues such as traffic drops or misclassification, the administrator can restore the original configuration exactly as it was, even if the router reboots or the running-config is lost. Saving to startup-config (Option A) would overwrite the known-good baseline, making reversion impossible without a separate backup.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best", "first". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Keep practising
More N10-009 practice questions
- Which layer of the OSI model is responsible for logical addressing and routing of packets between networks?
- Users in VLAN 10 cannot obtain IP addresses from a DHCP server located in VLAN 20. The router has an ip helper-address c…
- Which of the following is a characteristic of a Layer 2 network switch?
- Which of the following network devices operates primarily at Layer 2 of the OSI model and uses MAC addresses to forward…
- Which of the following is a characteristic of UDP when compared to TCP?
- Which of the following IPv6 addresses is a valid link-local address?
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.