A network administrator needs to replace a core switch that is nearing end-of-life. According to change management best practices, which step should the administrator perform FIRST?
Submitting a change request is the first step in the formal change management process.
Why this answer
Option D is correct because, according to change management best practices, the first step is to create a detailed change request or plan that documents the scope, risk assessment, rollback procedures, and approval requirements. This ensures all stakeholders review and authorize the replacement before any physical work begins, minimizing network downtime and operational impact.
Exam trap
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the urgency of replacing an end-of-life device with the need to bypass formal change management steps, assuming immediate action is required rather than following the documented approval process.
How to eliminate wrong answers
Option A is wrong because immediately notifying users of an outage before the change is approved violates change management procedures; notification should occur after the change is scheduled and approved. Option B is wrong because ordering the replacement switch before assessing compatibility, configuration requirements, and obtaining change approval can lead to procurement of incorrect hardware or unnecessary delays. Option C is wrong because physically installing the new switch without prior change approval, testing, and rollback planning bypasses the mandatory review and authorization steps, risking unplanned outages.