Question 1,196 of 2,152
SNMP TroubleshootinghardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

SNMP Inform Not Sending: Missing 'informs' Keyword

This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of snmp troubleshooting. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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.

Router R6 is configured to send SNMP inform requests to the NMS at 192.168.1.1. Configuration: snmp-server host 192.168.1.1 informs version 2c public, snmp-server enable traps. The NMS receives no informs. R6's show snmp statistics shows InformRequestsSent: 0, and show snmp pending shows no pending. The NMS can poll R6 successfully. The network has a firewall between R6 and the NMS that allows UDP 162. What is the root cause?

Quick Answer

The answer is that SNMP inform requests are not supported with SNMPv2c, so the router will never send them despite the configuration. SNMP informs require an acknowledgment from the NMS and are only available with SNMPv3, which provides the necessary security and confirmation mechanisms; SNMPv2c only supports unacknowledged traps. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this tests your understanding of SNMP version limitations and the subtle difference between traps and informs—a common trap is assuming the ‘informs’ keyword alone enables the feature, but the router silently ignores the command if the version doesn’t support it. Remember the memory tip: “Informs need a handshake, so only v3 can shake hands.”

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

The 'snmp-server host' command for informs requires the 'informs' keyword to be placed correctly, but the router may not support informs with v2c; informs are only supported with SNMPv3.

SNMPv2c does not support informs; informs require SNMPv3 because they need acknowledgment (response) from the NMS, which is only defined in SNMPv3. The 'snmp-server host' command with the 'informs' keyword will be accepted syntactically on a router running v2c, but the router will never actually send informs because the underlying protocol does not support the acknowledgment mechanism. This explains why InformRequestsSent remains 0 and no pending informs exist, even though the NMS can be polled successfully.

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.

  • The 'snmp-server host' command for informs requires the 'informs' keyword to be placed correctly, but the router may not support informs with v2c; informs are only supported with SNMPv3.

    Why this is correct

    SNMPv2c does not support informs; it only supports traps. Informs require SNMPv3. The configuration uses v2c, so no informs are sent.

    Related concept

    Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

  • The NMS is not configured to send SNMP responses to informs.

    Why it's wrong here

    This would cause the router to send informs but not receive responses, but the statistics show 0 sends, so the router is not even trying.

  • The firewall is blocking UDP 162 from the NMS to the router.

    Why it's wrong here

    Informs are sent from the router to the NMS on UDP 162, and the firewall allows that. The response would be on a high port, but the router is not sending.

  • The router's SNMP agent is not enabled due to a missing 'snmp-server' command.

    Why it's wrong here

    The router has 'snmp-server enable traps' and the host command, so the agent is enabled.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

Cisco often tests the misconception that the 'informs' keyword can be used with SNMPv2c because the CLI accepts the command without error, but the router will never actually send informs under v2c.

Trap categories for this question

  • Command / output trap

    This would cause the router to send informs but not receive responses, but the statistics show 0 sends, so the router is not even trying.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

Informs are a feature of SNMPv3 defined in RFC 3416, where the manager must send a Response PDU to acknowledge receipt of the inform; SNMPv2c (RFC 3416) only supports traps, which are unacknowledged. When a router is configured with 'snmp-server host ... informs version 2c', the command is accepted but the router silently ignores the 'informs' keyword because the SNMP engine knows v2c cannot handle the acknowledgment flow, resulting in zero inform requests sent. In real-world scenarios, engineers often mistakenly assume 'informs' works with v2c because the CLI accepts it, leading to silent failures.

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 300-410 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.

Visual reference

Client Server SYN (seq=100) SYN-ACK (seq=200, ack=101) ACK (ack=201) Connection established — data transfer begins

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.

Related practice questions

Related 300-410 practice-question pages

Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.

Practice this exam

Start a free 300-410 practice session

Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.

FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this 300-410 question test?

SNMP Troubleshooting — This question tests SNMP Troubleshooting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: The 'snmp-server host' command for informs requires the 'informs' keyword to be placed correctly, but the router may not support informs with v2c; informs are only supported with SNMPv3. — SNMPv2c does not support informs; informs require SNMPv3 because they need acknowledgment (response) from the NMS, which is only defined in SNMPv3. The 'snmp-server host' command with the 'informs' keyword will be accepted syntactically on a router running v2c, but the router will never actually send informs because the underlying protocol does not support the acknowledgment mechanism. This explains why InformRequestsSent remains 0 and no pending informs exist, even though the NMS can be polled successfully.

What should I do if I get this 300-410 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 →

How Courseiva writes practice questions · Editorial policy

Keep practising

More 300-410 practice questions

Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026

Question Discussion

Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.

Loading comments…

Sign in to join the discussion.

This 300-410 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco 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 300-410 exam.