Question 1hardmulti select
Full question →hardmulti selectObjective-mapped
A virtualization host connects to an access switch through one Ethernet link. It must carry only VLAN 30 for production VMs and VLAN 40 for management VMs. A review finds the link currently accepts every VLAN, uses VLAN 1 as the native VLAN, and a guest VLAN can accidentally be added later. Which two changes best harden the design? Select two.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Best answer
Prune the trunk so it carries only VLAN 30 and VLAN 40, not every possible VLAN.
Limiting the trunk to the exact VLANs needed reduces the chance of accidental exposure or unauthorized traffic crossing the link. This is both a security and operational control because it makes the path easier to audit and less likely to carry unplanned networks. Trunk pruning is a straightforward hardening step for segmented environments.
B
Distractor review
Leave the trunk open to all VLANs so future changes require no switch updates.
Allowing every VLAN on the trunk defeats segmentation and makes it easier for misconfigurations or malicious additions to become reachable. Convenience for future changes is not a valid reason to weaken the boundary between production, management, and guest networks. A narrow allowed list is the safer architecture.
C
Best answer
Change the native VLAN to an unused ID to reduce VLAN-hopping and mis-tagging risk.
Using an unused native VLAN helps avoid accidental traffic landing in VLAN 1 and reduces the impact of tagging mistakes or certain VLAN-hopping scenarios. It also makes misconfiguration easier to spot during review. This is a common hardening choice when a trunk must carry multiple sensitive VLANs.
D
Distractor review
Keep VLAN 1 as the native VLAN because it is the vendor default and easiest to support.
Vendor defaults are rarely the best security choice when hardening a sensitive trunk. Keeping VLAN 1 as native can create ambiguity and increase the chance of unintended traffic landing in a widely used default VLAN. Simplicity does not outweigh the value of an unused native VLAN for isolation.
E
Distractor review
Enable dynamic trunk negotiation on the host link so the virtualization server can discover VLANs automatically.
Dynamic negotiation increases the chance of unintended trunk formation and undermines strict segmentation. In a hardened design, the allowed VLANs should be explicitly defined, not discovered automatically. Automatic negotiation is convenient, but it is not aligned with a controlled production and management link.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
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More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A laptop is suspected of being used in a malware incident. It is still powered on and connected to Wi-Fi. What should the responder do before shutting it down?
Question 2
An employee reports a ransomware note on a file server. The server is still powered on, shares are still being accessed, and management wants service restored as quickly as possible. What should the incident response team do first?
Question 3
An employee reports a ransomware note on a finance laptop. The laptop is still powered on, connected to Wi-Fi, and the user says they were just working in a spreadsheet. Management wants the fastest safe response that also preserves evidence. What should the responder do first?
Question 4
You are handed a company laptop suspected in an insider theft case. Legal says the evidence may be needed in court. Which action best preserves admissibility?
Question 5
A developer wants to reduce the risk of SQL injection in a new customer search form. Which two changes are the best mitigations? Select two.
Question 6
A branch office uses a flat LAN, and a compromise on one user workstation could spread quickly to finance systems. Management wants finance workstations isolated from general users, but finance staff still need access to a central finance application and network printer. What is the best design change?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Authentication checks who the user is.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Prune the trunk so it carries only VLAN 30 and VLAN 40, not every possible VLAN. — The two best hardening steps are to restrict the trunk to only the required VLANs and to move the native VLAN to an unused value. Together, those changes reduce accidental exposure, limit what can traverse the link, and make the design less vulnerable to mis-tagging or sloppy expansion. They are simple but effective ways to secure a virtualized host connection. Why others are wrong: Leaving the trunk open to all VLANs increases the blast radius of mistakes and weakens segmentation. Keeping VLAN 1 as the native VLAN preserves a risky default and can expose traffic to a widely used network. Dynamic negotiation is convenient, but it is inappropriate when the goal is to tightly control which networks a host may access.
What should I do if I get this SY0-701 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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