- A
Configure an ACL on the Layer 3 switch to permit specific traffic between VLANs
Correct. ACLs on the Layer 3 switch can filter inter-VLAN traffic to allow only the required printer access.
- B
Place the printer in the HR VLAN
Why wrong: Moving the printer to HR VLAN would give full access, but the requirement is to keep it in Finance VLAN.
- C
Create a separate VLAN for the printer
Why wrong: A separate VLAN would still require routing and ACLs to control access; not the simplest solution.
- D
Use a wireless access point to bridge the VLANs
Why wrong: Wireless bridges do not provide granular filtering and would not meet security requirements.
Question 392 of 520
N10-009 Network Security Practice Question
This N10-009 practice question tests your understanding of network security. 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.
An organization has separate VLANs for the HR and Finance departments. Both VLANs use a single Layer 3 switch to route between them. The HR department needs access to a shared printer located in the Finance VLAN, but all other traffic between the VLANs should be blocked. Which of the following should be configured?
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
✓
Configure an ACL on the Layer 3 switch to permit specific traffic between VLANs
An ACL on the Layer 3 switch can filter inter-VLAN traffic at the routed interface (SVI or routed port). By permitting only the HR subnet’s traffic to the printer’s IP address and denying all other inter-VLAN traffic, you meet the requirement of selective access while blocking everything else. This is the standard method for policy-based segmentation between VLANs.
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.
- ✓
Configure an ACL on the Layer 3 switch to permit specific traffic between VLANs
Why this is correct
Correct. ACLs on the Layer 3 switch can filter inter-VLAN traffic to allow only the required printer access.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Place the printer in the HR VLAN
Why it's wrong here
Moving the printer to HR VLAN would give full access, but the requirement is to keep it in Finance VLAN.
When this WOULD be correct
If the requirement were simply to give HR access to the printer without any need to block inter-VLAN traffic, and the printer only needed to be accessed by HR, moving it to the HR VLAN would be the simplest solution.
- ✗
Create a separate VLAN for the printer
Why it's wrong here
A separate VLAN would still require routing and ACLs to control access; not the simplest solution.
When this WOULD be correct
When a printer needs to be accessible from multiple VLANs without routing between them, and the organization wants to isolate the printer's broadcast domain for security or performance reasons, creating a dedicated VLAN for the printer and using a Layer 3 switch with ACLs or a firewall to allow specific access would be appropriate.
- ✗
Use a wireless access point to bridge the VLANs
Why it's wrong here
Wireless bridges do not provide granular filtering and would not meet security requirements.
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.
✓Configure an ACL on the Layer 3 switch to permit specific traffic between VLANsCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
Correct. ACLs on the Layer 3 switch can filter inter-VLAN traffic to allow only the required printer access.
✗Place the printer in the HR VLANWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Placing the printer in the HR VLAN would allow HR devices to access it without routing, but it would not block other traffic between VLANs, and the printer would lose access to Finance resources if needed.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the requirement were simply to give HR access to the printer without any need to block inter-VLAN traffic, and the printer only needed to be accessed by HR, moving it to the HR VLAN would be the simplest solution.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think moving the printer to the same VLAN as HR is an easy way to grant access, overlooking the need to block other inter-VLAN traffic and the potential need for Finance to also access the printer.
✗Create a separate VLAN for the printerWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Creating a separate VLAN for the printer does not solve the requirement to permit only HR-to-printer traffic while blocking all other inter-VLAN traffic; it would still require routing and ACLs to control access, and it adds unnecessary complexity.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
When a printer needs to be accessible from multiple VLANs without routing between them, and the organization wants to isolate the printer's broadcast domain for security or performance reasons, creating a dedicated VLAN for the printer and using a Layer 3 switch with ACLs or a firewall to allow specific access would be appropriate.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think that isolating the printer in its own VLAN simplifies security by separating it from both HR and Finance, but they overlook that inter-VLAN routing and access control are still needed to allow HR to reach the printer.
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 think placing the printer in the same VLAN or creating a dedicated VLAN solves the problem, but they overlook that ACLs are the precise tool for granular, policy-based filtering between VLANs on a Layer 3 switch.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
On a Layer 3 switch, inter-VLAN routing occurs through switched virtual interfaces (SVIs) or routed ports. An ACL applied inbound or outbound on the SVI for the HR VLAN can match source IPs from HR and destination IP/port for the printer (e.g., TCP 9100 for raw printing), using a permit statement, followed by an implicit deny all. This leverages hardware-accelerated ACL processing in the switch ASIC, ensuring line-rate filtering without performance degradation.
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 help-desk technician troubleshoots why a newly connected PC cannot reach shared printers on the same floor. The cable is good, the switch port is active, but the PC is in VLAN 20 and the printers are in VLAN 10. The uplink trunk only allows VLAN 10. A trunk being up does not mean every VLAN crosses it.
Visual reference
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this N10-009 question test?
Network Security — This question tests Network Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure an ACL on the Layer 3 switch to permit specific traffic between VLANs — An ACL on the Layer 3 switch can filter inter-VLAN traffic at the routed interface (SVI or routed port). By permitting only the HR subnet’s traffic to the printer’s IP address and denying all other inter-VLAN traffic, you meet the requirement of selective access while blocking everything else. This is the standard method for policy-based segmentation between VLANs.
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
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