- A
Protect
Why wrong: Protect mode drops traffic from unauthorized MACs but does not disable the port or send a notification; it silently discards packets.
- B
Restrict
Why wrong: Restrict mode drops traffic from unauthorized MACs and generates a log message or SNMP trap, but the port remains operational.
- C
Shutdown
Shutdown mode (or 'shutdown' violation) disables the port when a violation occurs, which is the most secure response and meets the requirement.
- D
Sticky
Why wrong: Sticky is a learning method, not a violation mode. It dynamically learns MAC addresses and adds them to the configuration but does not define the action on a violation.
Question 252 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.
A security engineer is configuring port security on a switch to prevent unauthorized devices from connecting. The requirement is that only the first device to connect to a port is allowed, and if a different device connects, the port should be disabled. Which port security violation mode should be configured?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
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
✓
Shutdown
The 'shutdown' violation mode disables the port entirely when a violation occurs, which meets the requirement that the port be disabled if a different device connects. This is the only mode that physically err-disables the port, preventing any further traffic until manually re-enabled.
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.
- ✗
Protect
Why it's wrong here
Protect mode drops traffic from unauthorized MACs but does not disable the port or send a notification; it silently discards packets.
When this WOULD be correct
When the requirement is to silently drop traffic from unauthorized devices without generating alerts or disabling the port, such as in a low-security environment where only traffic filtering is needed.
- ✗
Restrict
Why it's wrong here
Restrict mode drops traffic from unauthorized MACs and generates a log message or SNMP trap, but the port remains operational.
When this WOULD be correct
A question where the requirement is to log and alert on unauthorized access attempts without disrupting existing traffic, such as 'A security engineer wants to monitor for unauthorized devices on a port while allowing them to connect for auditing purposes. Which violation mode should be used?'
- ✓
Shutdown
Why this is correct
Shutdown mode (or 'shutdown' violation) disables the port when a violation occurs, which is the most secure response and meets the requirement.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Sticky
Why it's wrong here
Sticky is a learning method, not a violation mode. It dynamically learns MAC addresses and adds them to the configuration but does not define the action on a violation.
When this WOULD be correct
A question asks: 'Which port security feature allows a switch to automatically learn and save MAC addresses to the running configuration to prevent unauthorized devices?' In that case, sticky learning would be the correct answer.
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.
✓ShutdownCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
Shutdown mode (or 'shutdown' violation) disables the port when a violation occurs, which is the most secure response and meets the requirement.
✗ProtectWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The Protect mode drops traffic from unauthorized devices but does not disable the port, which contradicts the requirement that the port should be disabled when a different device connects.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
When the requirement is to silently drop traffic from unauthorized devices without generating alerts or disabling the port, such as in a low-security environment where only traffic filtering is needed.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse 'protect' with 'shutdown' because both involve preventing unauthorized access, but they overlook that protect does not disable the port.
✗RestrictWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Restrict mode allows traffic from unauthorized devices but logs the violation and increments a counter; it does not disable the port, which is required by the question's condition that the port be disabled when a different device connects.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A question where the requirement is to log and alert on unauthorized access attempts without disrupting existing traffic, such as 'A security engineer wants to monitor for unauthorized devices on a port while allowing them to connect for auditing purposes. Which violation mode should be used?'
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse 'restrict' with 'shutdown' because both respond to violations, but 'restrict' sounds like it would block access, whereas it actually only logs and allows traffic.
✗StickyWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Sticky is not a violation mode; it is a feature that dynamically learns MAC addresses and adds them to the running configuration. The question asks for a violation mode that disables the port when a different device connects, which is 'shutdown'.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A question asks: 'Which port security feature allows a switch to automatically learn and save MAC addresses to the running configuration to prevent unauthorized devices?' In that case, sticky learning would be the correct answer.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse 'sticky' with a violation mode because it is often used in conjunction with port security to enforce MAC address limits, leading them to think it handles violations.
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 N10-009 exam often tests the distinction that 'shutdown' is the only mode that physically disables the port, while 'restrict' and 'protect' only filter traffic but leave the port administratively up, leading candidates to mistakenly choose 'restrict' because it logs violations.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Port security violation modes are configured with the 'switchport port-security violation {protect | restrict | shutdown}' command. In 'shutdown' mode, the port enters an err-disabled state (shown as 'err-disabled' in 'show interfaces'), requiring an administrator to issue 'shutdown' followed by 'no shutdown' or configure errdisable recovery to restore it. This mode is commonly used in high-security environments like data centers or government networks where any unauthorized physical access must be immediately blocked.
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 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: Shutdown — The 'shutdown' violation mode disables the port entirely when a violation occurs, which meets the requirement that the port be disabled if a different device connects. This is the only mode that physically err-disables the port, preventing any further traffic until manually re-enabled.
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: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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 →
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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