- A
Download the new firmware
Why wrong: Downloading firmware should only occur after the change is approved.
- B
Create a backup of the current configuration
Why wrong: Backups are important but should be done after the change request is approved.
- C
Submit a change request
The first step is to submit a change request for approval.
- D
Schedule a maintenance window
Why wrong: Scheduling a maintenance window comes after the change request is approved.
Question 220 of 520
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.
A network administrator needs to upgrade the firmware on a core switch. According to change management best practices, which step should be performed first?
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
✓
Submit a change request
According to change management best practices, the first step in any network change is to submit a change request (option C). This ensures the proposed firmware upgrade is reviewed, approved, and documented before any technical actions are taken, reducing the risk of unplanned outages and providing a rollback plan. Skipping this step violates ITIL/change management frameworks and can lead to unauthorized changes that impact network stability.
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.
- ✗
Download the new firmware
Why it's wrong here
Downloading firmware should only occur after the change is approved.
When this WOULD be correct
A network administrator has already received approval for a firmware upgrade and is now executing the plan. The question asks: 'After the change request is approved, what is the next step?' In that context, downloading the new firmware would be the correct first technical action.
- ✗
Create a backup of the current configuration
Why it's wrong here
Backups are important but should be done after the change request is approved.
- ✓
Submit a change request
Why this is correct
The first step is to submit a change request for approval.
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.
- ✗
Schedule a maintenance window
Why it's wrong here
Scheduling a maintenance window comes after the change request is approved.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question asked 'After the change request is approved, which step should be performed next?' then scheduling a maintenance window would be correct to minimize disruption.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The N10-009 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓Submit a change requestCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
The first step is to submit a change request for approval.
✗Download the new firmwareWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
In change management best practices, the first step is always to submit a change request for approval before any technical actions like downloading firmware. Downloading firmware without authorization violates the change control process.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A network administrator has already received approval for a firmware upgrade and is now executing the plan. The question asks: 'After the change request is approved, what is the next step?' In that context, downloading the new firmware would be the correct first technical action.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates often focus on the technical task of obtaining the firmware and overlook the procedural requirement to get formal approval first, especially when the question emphasizes 'upgrade the firmware' rather than 'change management process'.
✗Schedule a maintenance windowWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Scheduling a maintenance window is a later step in the change management process; the first step must be submitting a change request to obtain approval before any actions are taken.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question asked 'After the change request is approved, which step should be performed next?' then scheduling a maintenance window would be correct to minimize disruption.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates often think of the operational need to schedule downtime first, but they overlook that formal approval via a change request is required before any scheduling can occur.
Analysis generated from the official N10-009blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse operational best practices with technical steps, assuming that backing up the configuration (option B) is always the first action, but change management mandates that formal authorization precedes any technical work, even backups, to ensure proper governance and audit trails.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Change management in network operations follows a defined lifecycle: request, review, approve, plan, implement, verify, and close. The change request typically includes a risk assessment, rollback plan, and impact analysis, often documented in a system like ServiceNow or Jira. In enterprise environments, firmware upgrades on core switches (e.g., Cisco Catalyst 9000 series) require careful validation of compatibility with existing configurations and features like StackWise Virtual or VPC, making the approval step essential to avoid catastrophic failures.
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: Submit a change request — According to change management best practices, the first step in any network change is to submit a change request (option C). This ensures the proposed firmware upgrade is reviewed, approved, and documented before any technical actions are taken, reducing the risk of unplanned outages and providing a rollback plan. Skipping this step violates ITIL/change management frameworks and can lead to unauthorized changes that impact network stability.
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
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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