Question 939 of 2,152

SPAN, RSPAN, and ERSPAN →mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

ERSPAN Origin IP Address Purpose

This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of span, rspan, and erspan. 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.

Consider the ERSPAN configuration on a router:

monitor session 1 type erspan-source source interface GigabitEthernet0/0/1 both destination erspan-id 1

ip address 192.168.1.100

origin ip address 192.168.1.1

What is the primary purpose of the 'origin ip address' command?

Clue words in this question

Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.

Clue: "primary"
Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.

A
It specifies the IP address of the monitoring device.
Why wrong: The destination IP is the monitoring device; origin is the source router.
B
It defines the source IP address used in the ERSPAN GRE encapsulation.
This is the correct function of the origin IP address.
C
It sets the IP address of the interface being monitored.
Why wrong: The source interface is specified separately.
D
It enables ERSPAN on the specified interface.
Why wrong: ERSPAN is enabled by the session type, not this command.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Quick Answer

The answer is that the 'origin ip address' command defines the source IP address used in the ERSPAN GRE encapsulation. When a router sends mirrored traffic to a remote destination, ERSPAN wraps the original packets in a GRE tunnel, and this origin IP becomes the tunnel’s source address. The destination device, such as a network analyzer at 192.168.1.100, uses this origin IP to identify which router generated the mirrored traffic, enabling proper filtering and return-path routing. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this command tests your understanding of ERSPAN’s control-plane versus data-plane addressing—a common trap is confusing the origin IP with the destination IP or assuming it is the interface’s primary IP. Remember that the origin IP is the “from” address in the GRE header, not the monitored interface’s address. A helpful memory tip: “Origin = Outgoing, Destination = Delivered.”

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

✓

It defines the source IP address used in the ERSPAN GRE encapsulation.

The origin IP address is the source IP used in the ERSPAN encapsulated packets, allowing the destination to identify the source of the mirrored traffic.

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.

✗
It specifies the IP address of the monitoring device.
Why it's wrong here
The destination IP is the monitoring device; origin is the source router.
✓
It defines the source IP address used in the ERSPAN GRE encapsulation.
Why this is correct
This is the correct function of the origin IP address.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
It sets the IP address of the interface being monitored.
Why it's wrong here
The source interface is specified separately.
✗
It enables ERSPAN on the specified interface.
Why it's wrong here
ERSPAN is enabled by the session type, not this command.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.

Trap categories for this question

Command / output trap
ERSPAN is enabled by the session type, not this command.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.

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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.

TExam Day Tips

Underline the problem statement mentally.
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.

What to study next

Got this wrong? Here's your next step.

Identify which 300-410 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this 300-410 question test?

SPAN, RSPAN, and ERSPAN — This question tests SPAN, RSPAN, and ERSPAN — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: It defines the source IP address used in the ERSPAN GRE encapsulation. — The origin IP address is the source IP used in the ERSPAN encapsulated packets, allowing the destination to identify the source of the mirrored traffic.

What should I do if I get this 300-410 question wrong?

Are there clue words in this question I should notice?

Yes — watch for: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

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