N10-009 Network Operations Practice Question
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?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — 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.
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
✓
D
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.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
A
Why it's wrong here
Updating the network diagram is a crucial post-implementation task to ensure documentation accurately reflects the current network topology. However, performing this as the initial step for a proposed change is premature, as the change itself has not yet been approved or executed. Diagrams should represent the 'as-built' state, not a hypothetical future state, to prevent confusion and maintain documentation integrity for operational staff.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question asked for the final step in a change management process after all approvals and testing are complete, then performing the replacement (Option A) would be correct.
- ✗
B
Why it's wrong here
While a comprehensive rollback plan is absolutely critical for mitigating risks associated with any network change, especially for a core switch, it is typically developed as an integral component of the change request or during the detailed planning phase. It is not the very first administrative action. The initial step involves formally proposing the change, which then triggers the development of such detailed contingency plans as part of the overall risk assessment.
When this WOULD be correct
Option B would be correct if the question asked: 'After the change request has been approved and a maintenance window scheduled, what is the next step?' In that scenario, implementing the change (e.g., replacing the switch) would be the appropriate action.
- ✗
C
Why it's wrong here
Notifying users about a potential outage before the change has been formally approved and scheduled can cause unnecessary alarm, confusion, and disruption to business operations. User communication, including outage windows and expected impacts, should only occur once the change request has successfully navigated the approval process and a definitive implementation schedule has been established. Premature notification undermines the structured approach of change management and can erode user trust.
When this WOULD be correct
This option would be correct if the question asked for the first step after the change has been approved and scheduled, such as 'After the change window is approved, what should the administrator do next?'
- ✓
D
Why this is correct
Replacing a core switch is a significant infrastructure change requiring formal approval and careful planning. Submitting a change request is the foundational first step in the formal change management process, documenting the proposed work, its justification, potential impact, and resource requirements. This formal submission ensures all stakeholders are aware and provides a structured path for review, risk assessment, and eventual authorization before any physical or logical work commences.
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.
✓DCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
Replacing a core switch is a significant infrastructure change requiring formal approval and careful planning. Submitting a change request is the foundational first step in the formal change management process, documenting the proposed work, its justification, potential impact, and resource requirements. This formal submission ensures all stakeholders are aware and provides a structured path for review, risk assessment, and eventual authorization before any physical or logical work commences.
✗AWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The first step in change management is to create a change request, not to replace the switch directly. Option A suggests proceeding with replacement without proper authorization or planning.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question asked for the final step in a change management process after all approvals and testing are complete, then performing the replacement (Option A) would be correct.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think the immediate action is to replace the failing hardware, overlooking the formal change management process that requires prior approval and documentation.
✗BWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Option B is incorrect because the first step in change management is to create a change request or initiate the change process, not to implement the change directly. Replacing a core switch requires planning, approval, and rollback procedures before execution.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
Option B would be correct if the question asked: 'After the change request has been approved and a maintenance window scheduled, what is the next step?' In that scenario, implementing the change (e.g., replacing the switch) would be the appropriate action.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think that since the switch is nearing end-of-life, immediate replacement is urgent, skipping formal change management steps. They might also confuse 'perform first' with 'perform the main action' rather than the initial procedural step.
✗CWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
In change management, the first step is to create a change request or plan, not to implement the change. Option C likely suggests immediate replacement without prior approval or documentation.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
This option would be correct if the question asked for the first step after the change has been approved and scheduled, such as 'After the change window is approved, what should the administrator do next?'
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think that replacing a failing component is urgent and should be done immediately, overlooking the formal change management process.
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?”
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Network Documentation and Diagrams
Key term
Switch
A switch is a networking device that connects devices on a local area network and uses MAC addresses to forward data only to the intended recipient.
Key term
Change management
Change management is the structured process of planning, approving, implementing, and reviewing changes to IT systems to minimize risk and disruption.
About these practice questions
This N10-009 question is part of Courseiva's 464-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.