The answer is a trunk port. This is the correct configuration because a trunk port uses IEEE 802.1Q tagging to insert a VLAN identifier into each Ethernet frame, allowing a single physical link to carry traffic for multiple VLANs between switches without confusion. On the CompTIA Network+ N10-009 exam, this concept tests your understanding of VLAN segmentation and inter-switch connectivity, often appearing in scenario-based questions where you must choose between an access port (which carries only one untagged VLAN) and a trunk port. A common trap is assuming that simply enabling VLANs on a port is enough—remember, without trunking, the switch cannot distinguish which frames belong to which VLAN. Memory tip: think of a trunk as a tree trunk that branches into many VLANs, while an access port is a single branch.
N10-009 Network Implementation Practice Question
This N10-009 practice question tests your understanding of network implementation. 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 network administrator needs to allow multiple VLANs to traverse a single link between two switches. Which configuration must be applied on the switch ports?
Why wrong: An access port belongs to a single VLAN and cannot carry multiple VLANs.
B
Trunk port
A trunk port is configured to carry multiple VLANs by tagging frames with VLAN information using 802.1Q or ISL.
C
Hybrid port
Why wrong: While some vendors have hybrid ports that combine access and trunk features, the standard term for carrying multiple VLANs on a link between switches is trunk port.
D
Routed port
Why wrong: A routed port is a Layer 3 interface used for routing, not for carrying multiple VLANs between switches.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Trunk port
A trunk port is configured to carry traffic for multiple VLANs over a single link by tagging frames with IEEE 802.1Q VLAN identifiers. This allows the switch to distinguish which VLAN each frame belongs to, enabling inter-switch VLAN connectivity without requiring separate physical links per VLAN.
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.
✗
Access port
Why it's wrong here
An access port belongs to a single VLAN and cannot carry multiple VLANs.
✓
Trunk port
Why this is correct
A trunk port is configured to carry multiple VLANs by tagging frames with VLAN information using 802.1Q or ISL.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Hybrid port
Why it's wrong here
While some vendors have hybrid ports that combine access and trunk features, the standard term for carrying multiple VLANs on a link between switches is trunk port.
✗
Routed port
Why it's wrong here
A routed port is a Layer 3 interface used for routing, not for carrying multiple VLANs between switches.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse a trunk port with an access port, thinking that multiple VLANs can be carried by simply assigning multiple VLANs to an access port, but access ports can only be assigned a single untagged VLAN.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
When a trunk port sends a frame, it inserts a 4-byte 802.1Q tag between the source MAC and EtherType fields, which includes a 12-bit VLAN ID (0-4095). The native VLAN (default VLAN 1) is sent untagged to maintain backward compatibility with devices that do not understand tagging. In real-world deployments, misconfiguring the native VLAN on both ends can cause VLAN hopping or connectivity issues.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this N10-009 question in full detail.
Network Implementation — This question tests Network Implementation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Trunk port — A trunk port is configured to carry traffic for multiple VLANs over a single link by tagging frames with IEEE 802.1Q VLAN identifiers. This allows the switch to distinguish which VLAN each frame belongs to, enabling inter-switch VLAN connectivity without requiring separate physical links per VLAN.
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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Question Discussion
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