- A
Link aggregation (LACP)
Correct. LACP combines multiple links into one logical link, providing both redundancy and load balancing at Layer 2, which is appropriate for a server with two NICs connected to separate switches.
- B
Virtual IP (VRRP/HSRP)
Why wrong: Incorrect. VRRP/HSRP provide first-hop gateway redundancy for routers, not for server NIC failover. They operate at Layer 3 and would require the server to act as a router, which is not the intended use.
- C
Spanning Tree Protocol (STP)
Why wrong: Incorrect. STP prevents loops in a switched network but does not provide load balancing or server failover.
- D
Port mirroring
Why wrong: Incorrect. Port mirroring duplicates traffic for monitoring purposes and does not offer any failover or load balancing capability.
N10-009 Network Operations Practice Question
This N10-009 practice question tests your understanding of network operations. 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 ensure high availability for a critical server that has two network interfaces connected to two different switches. Which configuration should be implemented to provide failover and load balancing at the network layer?
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
Link aggregation (LACP)
Link Aggregation (LACP) allows multiple physical network interfaces to be combined into a single logical link, providing both failover and load balancing at Layer 2. In this scenario, the server's two NICs are connected to two different switches; LACP can be configured across the two switches (if they support Multi-chassis Link Aggregation) or the NICs can be set up in an active/standby team for failover. This satisfies the requirement for high availability and load balancing at the network layer (Layer 2/3 boundary). Virtual IP protocols like VRRP/HSRP are designed for gateway redundancy, not for server NIC failover.
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.
- ✓
Link aggregation (LACP)
Why this is correct
Correct. LACP combines multiple links into one logical link, providing both redundancy and load balancing at Layer 2, which is appropriate for a server with two NICs connected to separate switches.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Virtual IP (VRRP/HSRP)
- ✗
Spanning Tree Protocol (STP)
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. STP prevents loops in a switched network but does not provide load balancing or server failover.
When this WOULD be correct
In a switched network with redundant paths, STP is correct when the question asks for preventing broadcast storms and MAC table instability due to loops, without requiring Layer 3 redundancy.
- ✗
Port mirroring
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Port mirroring duplicates traffic for monitoring purposes and does not offer any failover or load balancing capability.
When this WOULD be correct
A network administrator needs to capture and analyze traffic from a critical server for troubleshooting or security monitoring. Port mirroring would be the correct answer when the question asks about duplicating traffic to a monitoring device without affecting the live network.
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.
✓Link aggregation (LACP)Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
Correct. LACP combines multiple links into one logical link, providing both redundancy and load balancing at Layer 2, which is appropriate for a server with two NICs connected to separate switches.
✗Spanning Tree Protocol (STP)Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
STP prevents loops at Layer 2, not failover or load balancing at Layer 3. It does not provide IP-level redundancy for a server with multiple interfaces.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a switched network with redundant paths, STP is correct when the question asks for preventing broadcast storms and MAC table instability due to loops, without requiring Layer 3 redundancy.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates confuse loop prevention with failover, thinking STP's path redundancy also provides IP failover, but STP operates only at Layer 2 and does not handle IP address failover.
✗Port mirroringWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Port mirroring is used for traffic monitoring and analysis, not for failover or load balancing. It duplicates packets from one port to another for inspection, but does not provide high availability or distribute traffic across interfaces.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A network administrator needs to capture and analyze traffic from a critical server for troubleshooting or security monitoring. Port mirroring would be the correct answer when the question asks about duplicating traffic to a monitoring device without affecting the live network.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse port mirroring with link aggregation or failover mechanisms, thinking that duplicating traffic could somehow provide redundancy or load distribution, but it only copies packets for observation.
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
Candidates often confuse Layer 2 link aggregation (LACP) with Layer 3 first-hop redundancy protocols (VRRP/HSRP). While VRRP/HSRP provide gateway failover, they are not designed for server NIC teaming. The server scenario requires a solution that operates at the interface level, making LACP the correct choice.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
VRRP (RFC 5798) and HSRP (Cisco proprietary) use a virtual IP and virtual MAC address that the server's default gateway points to. The active router responds to ARP requests for the virtual IP, while the standby router monitors hello messages (every 3 seconds by default in HSRP) and takes over if three hellos are missed. For load balancing, multiple virtual IP groups can be configured so that each server interface uses a different active router, distributing traffic across both switches.
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.
Quick reference
OSI Model Reference
| Layer | Name | PDU | Key Protocols / Devices |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Application | Data | HTTP, HTTPS, DNS, SMTP, FTP, SSH |
| 6 | Presentation | Data | TLS / SSL, JPEG, ASCII encoding |
| 5 | Session | Data | NetBIOS, RPC, SIP |
| 4 | Transport | Segment / Datagram | TCP, UDP |
| 3 | Network | Packet | IP, ICMP, OSPF — Routers |
| 2 | Data Link | Frame | Ethernet, Wi-Fi, PPP — Switches, Bridges |
| 1 | Physical | Bits | Cables, NICs, Hubs, Repeaters |
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 Operations — This question tests Network Operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Link aggregation (LACP) — Link Aggregation (LACP) allows multiple physical network interfaces to be combined into a single logical link, providing both failover and load balancing at Layer 2. In this scenario, the server's two NICs are connected to two different switches; LACP can be configured across the two switches (if they support Multi-chassis Link Aggregation) or the NICs can be set up in an active/standby team for failover. This satisfies the requirement for high availability and load balancing at the network layer (Layer 2/3 boundary). Virtual IP protocols like VRRP/HSRP are designed for gateway redundancy, not for server NIC failover.
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.
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 30, 2026
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