Cisco 200-301 Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Exam Dumps and Practice Test Questions Set 10 Q136-150
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Question 136
Which type of VLAN is configured to separate voice traffic from data traffic?
A) Voice VLAN
B) Data VLAN
C) Management VLAN
D) Native VLAN
Answer: A) Voice VLAN
Explanation
Voice VLANs play a critical role in modern enterprise networks by providing a dedicated pathway for IP phone traffic, separate from regular data traffic. This separation ensures that voice communications maintain high quality and reliability, which is essential for business operations that rely on clear and uninterrupted phone calls. Voice traffic has unique characteristics, such as sensitivity to latency, jitter, and packet loss, which makes it particularly susceptible to performance issues when transmitted alongside normal data traffic. By assigning IP phones to a voice VLAN, network administrators can implement quality of service (QoS) policies that prioritize voice packets over other types of traffic. This prioritization ensures that voice calls receive the necessary bandwidth and low latency required for consistent call clarity, even during periods of heavy network usage.
The data VLAN, in comparison, is designed to carry standard user traffic, including web browsing, email, file transfers, and application usage. While it is critical for general network operations, it does not differentiate between types of traffic or provide special handling for voice packets. Mixing voice and data traffic on the same VLAN without proper QoS can result in degraded call quality, as data traffic can consume bandwidth and introduce delays or jitter that negatively affect voice communications. Therefore, separating voice and data into distinct VLANs is a best practice in enterprise network design to ensure optimal performance for both types of traffic.
Management VLANs serve a different purpose entirely. These VLANs are reserved for administrative traffic, such as SSH, Telnet, or SNMP communications. Management VLANs allow network administrators to securely access, monitor, and configure devices without interference from regular user or voice traffic. While management VLANs are crucial for security and network oversight, they are not intended for separating or prioritizing voice communications. Using a management VLAN for voice traffic would not provide the necessary QoS or performance guarantees required for high-quality IP telephony.
The native VLAN, commonly used on trunk ports, is another distinct concept. Its primary role is to carry untagged traffic across a trunk link, acting as the default VLAN for frames that do not include VLAN tags. While the native VLAN is essential for proper trunk operation and certain legacy compatibility, it is not designed for segregating traffic types based on function, nor does it provide prioritization for voice communications. Relying on the native VLAN for IP phone traffic could result in unregulated bandwidth usage and poor call quality, especially in environments with significant data traffic.
Considering these differences, it is clear that the voice VLAN is the correct choice for separating voice traffic from data traffic. By dedicating a VLAN specifically to IP phones, network designers can implement QoS, reduce congestion, and ensure reliable and high-quality voice communications. The voice VLAN directly addresses the requirements of real-time voice traffic, providing the isolation, prioritization, and performance needed for effective IP telephony. In contrast, data, management, and native VLANs serve purposes unrelated to voice traffic separation, reinforcing the importance of using a dedicated voice VLAN in this scenario.
Question 137
Which command tests the reachability and measures the round-trip time to a remote host?
A) ping
B) traceroute
C) show ip route
D) show interfaces
Answer: A) ping
Explanation
Ping is one of the most fundamental and widely used tools in network troubleshooting because it allows administrators to verify the reachability of a remote host and measure the round-trip time for packets sent to that host. It operates by sending Internet Control Message Protocol echo request messages to a specified IP address and then waits for echo reply messages from the target. By analyzing the responses, ping can determine whether the destination is reachable and how long it takes for packets to travel to the destination and back. This simple yet effective functionality makes ping the go-to tool for quickly testing connectivity between devices in a network, whether on a local area network or across the Internet. Network professionals often use ping as the first step in troubleshooting, as it provides immediate feedback on basic connectivity and network performance.
Traceroute, while related, serves a different purpose. It is primarily used to trace the path packets take from the source to the destination. By sending a series of packets with incrementally increasing time-to-live (TTL) values, traceroute identifies each hop along the route and reports the time it takes for packets to reach each intermediary device. While traceroute can provide valuable insights into network topology, path efficiency, and where delays or failures occur along a route, it is not the most efficient tool for simply confirming reachability or measuring the overall round-trip time to a single destination. Its focus is on route analysis rather than immediate connectivity verification, which differentiates it from ping.
The command show ip route, on the other hand, displays the routing table of a device, detailing known networks, next-hop addresses, and routing metrics. Although this information is critical for understanding how a device makes forwarding decisions, it does not actively test connectivity to a remote host. The routing table can indicate whether a path exists to a destination based on known routes, but it cannot confirm that the destination is actually reachable or measure latency. Therefore, while show ip route is essential for route verification and troubleshooting routing issues, it does not replace ping for reachability testing.
Similarly, the command show interfaces provides detailed information about the operational status of network interfaces, including whether the interface is up, error statistics, packet counts, and other important metrics. Although this information helps diagnose interface-related issues such as physical connectivity problems or errors on a link, it does not assess the reachability of a remote host or measure the time it takes for traffic to traverse the network. It is therefore useful for troubleshooting local interface issues but not for confirming end-to-end connectivity.
Given these comparisons, ping stands out as the correct tool for verifying reachability and measuring round-trip time. It provides a straightforward, real-time indication of whether a host can be reached and how efficiently packets travel across the network. Unlike traceroute, which focuses on the path, or show commands that display static information, ping actively tests connectivity and provides immediate, actionable feedback, making it indispensable for network diagnostics.
Question 138
Which protocol resolves IP addresses to MAC addresses on a local network?
A) ARP
B) DNS
C) DHCP
D) ICMP
Answer: A) ARP
Explanation
The Address Resolution Protocol, commonly known as ARP, is an essential protocol in IPv4 networking that allows devices to map IP addresses to their corresponding MAC addresses. In a local area network, communication between devices occurs at the data link layer using MAC addresses, which are unique hardware identifiers assigned to network interfaces. However, most applications and higher-layer protocols operate using IP addresses, which are logical addresses. ARP bridges this gap by resolving an IPv4 address into a MAC address, allowing the sending device to encapsulate packets in the proper data link layer frames and deliver them to the correct physical interface. Without ARP, devices on the same subnet would not know how to reach one another using Ethernet or other link-layer technologies, making local communication impossible. When a device wants to send data to another device on the same network, it broadcasts an ARP request asking, “Who has this IP address?” The device with that IP responds with its MAC address, enabling communication to proceed.
Other protocols often discussed in networking, while important, serve entirely different purposes. The Domain Name System, or DNS, resolves human-readable hostnames into IP addresses. For example, when a user enters a website name like www.example.com into a browser, DNS translates it into an IP address that routers and devices can use to deliver traffic. DNS is critical for making the internet user-friendly, but it does not provide MAC address information or facilitate local address resolution. Its role is limited to mapping names to IP addresses, not linking IP addresses to the physical hardware addresses required for local delivery.
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, or DHCP, is another essential protocol, but it serves a different function. DHCP automates the process of assigning IP addresses to devices on a network. By doing so, it ensures that devices can join a network without manual configuration. While DHCP is vital for efficient network management, it does not perform the address resolution required to map an IP address to a MAC address. DHCP simply ensures that a device has a valid IP address; it does not inform other devices how to deliver packets to that address on the local network.
The Internet Control Message Protocol, or ICMP, is primarily used for network diagnostics and error reporting. Tools such as ping and traceroute rely on ICMP to test connectivity, measure latency, and identify routing issues. While ICMP provides valuable insights into network performance, it does not resolve IP addresses to MAC addresses. It cannot enable local packet delivery because it does not handle the mapping between logical and physical addresses.
Given these distinctions, ARP is clearly the correct protocol for the task of mapping IP addresses to MAC addresses. It is explicitly designed to bridge the logical addressing used by IP with the physical addressing used by hardware interfaces. By doing so, ARP enables devices on the same local network segment to communicate efficiently and accurately. DNS, DHCP, and ICMP, while essential in their own roles, do not provide this IP-to-MAC resolution capability, making ARP indispensable for local network communication.
Question 139
Which command displays the current running configuration of a Cisco device?
A) show running-config
B) show startup-config
C) copy running-config startup-config
D) show version
Answer: A) show running-config
Explanation
The command show running-config is a fundamental tool for network administrators when working with Cisco devices, as it displays the device’s current active configuration stored in RAM. This configuration reflects all the changes made since the last reload or reboot, including any recent modifications that have not yet been saved to non-volatile memory. By using show running-config, administrators can immediately view the full set of active settings on the device, such as interface configurations, routing protocols, access control lists, VLAN assignments, and other operational parameters. This command provides a comprehensive snapshot of how the device is currently operating and is crucial for troubleshooting, auditing, and verifying configuration changes in real time.
In contrast, the show startup-config command displays the configuration that is stored in NVRAM, which is the non-volatile memory used to retain settings across reboots. This configuration is the version that will be applied to the device when it is powered on or restarted. While show startup-config is essential for understanding what configuration will persist after a reload, it does not necessarily reflect the current active state of the device. Changes made to the running configuration that have not been saved will not appear in the startup configuration, which means relying solely on show startup-config may provide an outdated or incomplete view of the device’s current operation.
The copy running-config startup-config command serves the purpose of saving the active configuration in RAM to NVRAM. This ensures that any modifications made during the current session are preserved and applied automatically after the device reboots. While this command is vital for maintaining consistency and avoiding loss of configuration changes, it does not provide a view of the current settings. It is a method for persisting the running configuration rather than examining it.
The show version command, on the other hand, provides important system information, such as the device model, IOS version, uptime, memory, and processor details. Although this information is valuable for inventory management, troubleshooting hardware issues, and understanding the system environment, it does not include the configuration details of the device. It cannot be used to view interface settings, routing protocols, VLAN assignments, or any other operational parameters, which makes it unsuitable when the goal is to verify the active configuration.
Given the distinctions among these commands, show running-config is clearly the correct choice when the objective is to view the device’s current active configuration. It offers an immediate and accurate representation of the settings in effect, reflecting all changes made during the session. Unlike show startup-config, which may not include recent modifications, or copy running-config startup-config, which saves changes without displaying them, show running-config allows administrators to verify and analyze the actual operational state of the device. It is the most direct and reliable tool for confirming that the device is configured and operating as intended.
Question 140
Which type of IPv4 address is used to communicate with all hosts on a subnet?
A) Broadcast
B) Unicast
C) Multicast
D) Anycast
Answer: A) Broadcast
Explanation
Broadcast addresses play a fundamental role in IPv4 networking by enabling communication from one device to all hosts within a specific subnet. This type of communication is often referred to as one-to-all communication. Broadcast messages are essential in scenarios where a device needs to send information that is relevant to every host on the local network segment. One of the most common uses of broadcast addresses is for the Address Resolution Protocol (ARP). When a device wants to determine the MAC address corresponding to an IP address, it sends an ARP request to the broadcast address. Every device on the subnet receives the request, and the device that owns the specified IP address responds with its MAC address. This ensures that the originating device can correctly deliver frames at the data link layer. Broadcast addresses are also used for other network-wide announcements, such as certain types of service discovery or automated configuration protocols that rely on reaching all devices in a subnet.
In contrast, unicast addresses are designed for one-to-one communication. A unicast address identifies a single specific host, and packets sent to a unicast address are delivered exclusively to that host. While unicast communication is essential for most network interactions, it is not suitable for sending messages to all devices within a subnet. For example, if a device needed to query all hosts for a particular service using unicast, it would have to send separate packets to each host individually, creating unnecessary network traffic and inefficiency.
Multicast addresses provide a different type of communication, targeting a specific group of devices rather than all devices in a subnet. Multicast is commonly used for applications such as video streaming, IP teleconferencing, or group-based data distribution, where only a subset of devices is interested in receiving the transmitted information. Multicast efficiently reduces network traffic by delivering data only to the devices that have explicitly joined the multicast group. However, multicast does not reach every host in the subnet unless all devices have joined the relevant multicast group, which means it cannot serve the purpose of one-to-all communication across a local network.
Anycast addresses are another type of address used primarily in IPv6 networks, though they are occasionally implemented in IPv4 environments as well. Anycast delivers packets to the nearest device among multiple hosts sharing the same address. This approach is useful for load balancing and redundancy, ensuring that the request is handled by the most accessible or optimal host. While anycast is valuable for directing traffic efficiently, it is not intended for reaching all hosts in a subnet, and therefore does not fulfill the requirements of one-to-all communication.
Because the question specifically asks about communication with all hosts on a subnet, the correct choice is a broadcast address. Broadcast addresses are uniquely suited to this task, enabling a single device to send messages that every host on the subnet will receive. This functionality is critical for processes like ARP requests, network announcements, and other operations that require complete local network coverage, ensuring that no host is left unaware of essential communications.
Question 141
Which command displays all the DHCP bindings on a Cisco device?
A) show ip dhcp binding
B) show ip interface brief
C) show running-config
D) show mac address-table
Answer: A) show ip dhcp binding
Explanation
The command show ip dhcp binding is an essential tool for network administrators when managing a DHCP-enabled network. This command provides a detailed list of all IP addresses that have been assigned to clients by the DHCP server. Each entry in the output typically includes the leased IP address, the MAC address of the client device, the type of lease, and the lease expiration time. By providing this information, show ip dhcp binding allows administrators to verify that the DHCP server is functioning correctly and that IP addresses are being allocated appropriately to devices on the network. It is particularly useful for troubleshooting IP address assignment issues, ensuring that clients are receiving valid addresses within the expected range, and identifying any conflicts or anomalies in the lease process.
While show ip interface brief also displays IP addresses assigned to interfaces, its purpose is different. It provides a quick of the status of each interface on the device, including whether the interface is administratively up or down, its operational status, and the IP address assigned to the interface. However, it does not include detailed information about IP addresses leased to DHCP clients. In other words, show ip interface brief tells you the IP addresses of the device’s interfaces themselves, not the addresses currently leased to connected client devices. Therefore, while useful for verifying interface configuration and connectivity, it does not serve the same purpose as show ip dhcp binding in terms of monitoring DHCP activity.
The show running-config command displays the active configuration of a device, reflecting all changes made since the last reload. This includes DHCP server settings, interface configurations, routing protocols, and other operational parameters. While it is important for understanding how the DHCP server is configured, it does not provide a real-time list of addresses currently leased to clients. It shows the configuration rules and parameters for DHCP operation but cannot confirm which addresses have actually been assigned, when leases will expire, or which clients are currently using specific IPs. Thus, show running-config is more about configuration verification than operational monitoring of DHCP leases.
Similarly, the show mac address-table command provides information about the MAC addresses that a switch has learned on its ports. This is useful for tracking which devices are connected to which switch ports and for troubleshooting layer 2 connectivity issues. However, it does not provide information about IP address assignment or the DHCP lease status of client devices. While MAC address tables and DHCP bindings are related in the sense that both involve client devices, the two commands provide fundamentally different types of information.
Considering the specific requirement of the question—to identify addresses learned through DHCP—the show ip dhcp binding command is clearly the correct choice. It directly displays all DHCP-learned IP addresses, along with relevant details such as client MAC addresses and lease expiration times, making it an indispensable tool for network monitoring, troubleshooting, and ensuring the proper functioning of the DHCP service. It provides administrators with precise, real-time insight into IP allocation, which cannot be obtained from other commands like show ip interface brief, show running-config, or show mac address-table.
Question 142
Which type of IPv6 address is automatically assigned to each interface for local link communication?
A) Link-local
B) Global unicast
C) Multicast
D) Anycast
Answer: A) Link-local
Explanation
In IPv6 networking, link-local addresses play a crucial and foundational role. These addresses are automatically assigned to every IPv6-enabled interface, allowing devices to communicate with other devices on the same local link without requiring any manual configuration or external address assignment. Link-local addresses are identified by the prefix FE80::/10 and are essential for the operation of basic network functions, such as neighbor discovery and the automatic configuration of routing protocols. Because they are confined to a single link, link-local addresses are not routable beyond that link and cannot be used for communication over the broader Internet or across multiple network segments. Their automatic assignment ensures that every IPv6 device is immediately capable of local communication, which is critical for establishing initial network connectivity and performing essential network management tasks.
Global unicast addresses, in contrast, are routable across the Internet and are typically assigned either manually by network administrators or automatically through DHCPv6 or Stateless Address Autoconfiguration. These addresses allow devices to communicate across different network segments and over the Internet, providing unique and globally recognized identifiers for IPv6 devices. Unlike link-local addresses, global unicast addresses require deliberate assignment and configuration. While they are essential for external connectivity and end-to-end communication, they do not serve the same automatic, local link-focused role as link-local addresses.
Multicast addresses in IPv6 serve a different purpose. They are designed for one-to-many communication, allowing a single packet to be delivered to multiple devices that are members of a multicast group. Multicast addresses are critical for services such as streaming media, group messaging, or network service discovery, where information needs to reach a specific set of devices efficiently. While multicast addresses are effective for group communication, they are not automatically assigned for local link communication and do not guarantee communication with all devices on a single link unless those devices are members of the relevant multicast group.
Anycast addresses are another specialized type of IPv6 address. They are assigned to multiple interfaces, typically on different devices, with the goal of directing traffic to the nearest or most optimal device in the anycast group. Anycast is useful for load balancing and redundancy, such as directing clients to the closest server for faster response times. However, anycast addresses are not automatically configured and are not used for general local link communication. They serve a targeted purpose, focusing on proximity-based delivery rather than ensuring automatic link-local connectivity.
Given the options, link-local addresses are clearly the correct choice for automatic assignment on an IPv6 interface for communication within the same local link. Their unique capability to provide immediate local connectivity without any administrative intervention is fundamental to the operation of IPv6 networks. They enable essential processes like neighbor discovery, local routing, and initial device communication, making them indispensable for network initialization and management. This automatic, self-configured addressing mechanism ensures that every IPv6 device can communicate with its neighbors on the same link, laying the groundwork for more complex networking functions.
Question 143
Which protocol provides encrypted remote access to Cisco devices?
A) SSH
B) Telnet
C) FTP
D) HTTP
Answer: A) SSH
Explanation
Secure Shell, commonly known as SSH, is a protocol designed to provide secure, encrypted remote access to network devices. It is widely used by network administrators and IT professionals to manage routers, switches, firewalls, and other devices over potentially insecure networks. One of the key benefits of SSH is that it encrypts all traffic between the client and the device, including login credentials, configuration commands, and output data. This encryption ensures that sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, and device configurations, is not exposed to eavesdropping or interception by malicious actors. In modern network environments, where security and confidentiality are critical, SSH has become the standard method for remote administration.
In comparison, Telnet also allows remote access to network devices, but it lacks the encryption that SSH provides. Telnet transmits all data, including credentials, in plaintext, making it highly vulnerable to interception. Anyone monitoring the network traffic could capture usernames, passwords, and commands, potentially gaining full access to the network device. Because of this significant security risk, Telnet is considered outdated and unsafe for use on networks where sensitive data needs protection. While it can still be found in legacy environments, best practices strongly recommend replacing Telnet with SSH for remote management.
FTP, or File Transfer Protocol, serves an entirely different purpose. It is primarily used to transfer files between devices over a network, such as uploading software updates, configuration backups, or documents. While FTP can move data effectively, it does not provide the capability to remotely manage network devices in the same interactive way that SSH does. Furthermore, traditional FTP lacks encryption, which means file contents and credentials can be intercepted, making it unsuitable for secure administrative access.
HTTP, the foundation of web-based communication, allows users to access and manage systems through web interfaces. While HTTP provides convenience for web-based device management, it is inherently unencrypted, meaning data transmitted over HTTP can be intercepted. Secure web access requires HTTPS, which adds encryption using SSL/TLS. However, even with HTTPS, web-based management may not offer the same command-line control, flexibility, and network-focused tools that SSH provides, especially for complex configurations or troubleshooting tasks on network devices.
Because the question specifically asks for a method that ensures secure remote access to a network device, SSH is clearly the correct answer. It combines the convenience of remote command-line management with strong encryption, protecting sensitive information from potential threats. SSH has become the de facto standard for secure network administration, replacing older, insecure protocols like Telnet and offering functionality that other protocols such as FTP or HTTP cannot fully replicate. Its ability to safeguard both login credentials and configuration data while allowing comprehensive control over devices makes SSH indispensable in modern networking environments.
Question 144
Which command displays the routing path to a specific destination network?
A) traceroute
B) ping
C) show ip interface brief
D) show mac address-table
Answer: A) traceroute
Explanation
Traceroute is an essential network diagnostic tool that allows administrators to examine the path that packets take from a source device to a specific destination. Unlike simpler connectivity tests, traceroute provides a detailed view of each hop along the network path, including the IP address of each intermediate router or device and the round-trip time for packets to travel to that hop and back. By displaying this step-by-step journey, traceroute helps network engineers identify where delays, failures, or bottlenecks occur within a network. This detailed insight is crucial for troubleshooting routing issues, understanding network topology, and optimizing paths for performance or redundancy.
The fundamental difference between traceroute and ping lies in the information each tool provides. While ping is commonly used to verify basic connectivity between two devices and measure round-trip time, it does not show the intermediate devices along the path. Ping simply confirms whether the target host is reachable and reports latency and packet loss statistics. This makes ping suitable for a quick health check of connectivity, but insufficient for diagnosing issues that arise at specific points along a multi-hop route, such as a misconfigured router, an overloaded link, or a path that diverges unexpectedly.
Other commands, such as show ip interface brief, provide information about the interfaces on a network device, including IP addresses, operational status, and protocol state. While this command is useful for quickly verifying interface assignments and checking whether interfaces are administratively up or down, it does not reveal how packets traverse the network or the sequence of devices involved in forwarding traffic to a destination. Similarly, show mac address-table is primarily used on switches to display MAC addresses that the switch has learned and the corresponding ports on which devices are connected. While valuable for troubleshooting layer 2 issues or verifying device connections, it offers no insight into layer 3 routing paths or the network hops involved in reaching a remote destination.
Traceroute works by sending packets with incrementally increasing time-to-live (TTL) values. Each router that decrements the TTL to zero returns an ICMP time-exceeded message, allowing the source device to identify that hop and measure the round-trip time. By incrementing the TTL for successive packets, traceroute builds a complete map of the path to the destination, revealing each intermediate router and the associated latency. This hop-by-hop visibility makes it uniquely suited for diagnosing problems in complex networks where multiple routes, gateways, and subnets are involved.
Because the question specifically asks for the method to determine the routing path from a source to a destination, traceroute is the correct choice. Its ability to display each hop along the route, combined with round-trip time information, provides a comprehensive understanding of network paths and potential issues along those paths. Unlike ping, which only confirms end-to-end reachability, or device-specific commands that only display configuration or learned addresses, traceroute gives a complete view of the journey that packets take, making it indispensable for routing analysis and path troubleshooting.
Question 145
Which type of VLAN is used for administrative traffic such as device management?
A) Management VLAN
B) Voice VLAN
C) Data VLAN
D) Native VLAN
Answer: A) Management VLAN
Explanation
A Management VLAN is a specialized virtual local area network (VLAN) used to carry administrative traffic on a network device. Its primary purpose is to provide a dedicated pathway for network management protocols and activities, ensuring that administrative communication is separated from regular user or voice traffic. By isolating management traffic, the network can maintain higher security, better monitoring, and easier troubleshooting. Protocols commonly transmitted over a Management VLAN include Secure Shell (SSH) for secure command-line access, Telnet for remote device management (though less secure), and Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) for monitoring and managing network devices. By keeping these types of traffic on a separate VLAN, network administrators can prevent sensitive management data from being exposed to unauthorized users or from being affected by congestion on user and voice networks.
The concept of a Management VLAN is closely related to best practices for network segmentation. Separating management traffic from standard user traffic minimizes potential security risks. If user or voice traffic were to traverse the same VLAN as administrative commands, there would be a higher risk of interception, attacks, or accidental misconfigurations affecting critical devices. By confining administrative traffic to its own VLAN, the network ensures that access to device management interfaces is controlled and monitored. This approach also simplifies network troubleshooting. When issues arise, administrators can focus on the management VLAN to check connectivity, monitor protocols, and address configuration issues without being overwhelmed by unrelated data traffic from users or IP phones.
Other types of VLANs serve different purposes and should not be confused with a Management VLAN. A Voice VLAN, for example, is specifically designated for IP phone traffic. This type of VLAN allows voice traffic to be prioritized using Quality of Service (QoS) settings, ensuring clear, uninterrupted phone calls even during periods of high data usage. By contrast, a Data VLAN is used for general user traffic, such as email, web browsing, and application access. These VLANs help organize and manage the network efficiently, but neither is intended to carry administrative traffic, which is the specific focus of a Management VLAN.
The Native VLAN is another type of VLAN used primarily on trunk links to carry untagged traffic. While important for maintaining proper trunk operation between switches, the Native VLAN does not carry administrative traffic in a controlled or secure manner. It is primarily a technical necessity for VLAN tagging and does not serve the security and monitoring role of a Management VLAN.
Because the question specifically asks about a VLAN designated for administrative purposes, the Management VLAN is the correct choice. It provides a secure, organized, and monitorable channel for network management traffic. By isolating protocols such as SSH, Telnet, and SNMP, it protects sensitive communications from potential threats, ensures that network monitoring is accurate, and supports the overall reliability and security of the network. In modern network design, using a dedicated Management VLAN is considered a critical best practice for both security and operational efficiency.
Question 146
Which command displays the running OSPF configuration on a Cisco router?
A) show running-config | include router ospf
B) show ip route ospf
C) show interfaces
D) show ip protocols
Answer: A) show running-config | include router ospf
Explanation
In network administration, particularly when working with routing protocols like OSPF, it is often necessary to verify the exact configuration of the protocol on a device. One of the most efficient ways to accomplish this on a Cisco device is by using the command show running-config | include router ospf. This command filters the device’s running configuration to display only the lines that are related to OSPF, making it much easier for administrators to quickly assess how OSPF has been set up without wading through unrelated configuration details. The running configuration itself contains all active settings for the device stored in RAM, reflecting any changes made since the device was last booted. By narrowing the output to only the OSPF-related commands, network engineers can check the OSPF process ID, network statements, area assignments, and other OSPF-specific parameters, which is essential for both troubleshooting and validation purposes.
Using show running-config | include router ospf is particularly valuable in environments with complex configurations or multiple routing protocols. In such environments, the full running configuration may include hundreds of lines covering interface settings, VLAN assignments, security policies, access control lists, and other protocol configurations. Searching through the entire configuration manually to find OSPF-specific entries can be time-consuming and error-prone. By filtering the output, administrators are presented with a concise view that allows them to quickly confirm that OSPF has been configured correctly, verify area assignments, ensure the correct networks are advertised, and detect any misconfigurations that might impact routing.
Other commands, while useful, do not provide the same level of detail regarding the configuration itself. For example, show ip route ospf displays the routes that have been learned via OSPF, including destination networks, next-hop addresses, and administrative distances. While this information is critical for understanding how OSPF is influencing the routing table, it does not reveal the actual commands or settings used to configure OSPF on the device. Similarly, show interfaces provides information about interface status, IP assignments, and operational statistics, but it does not display OSPF configuration details. Show ip protocols provides routing protocols, including timers and active networks, but it does not show the exact commands entered into the running configuration. Therefore, these commands are useful for verification and monitoring but do not substitute for checking the running configuration itself.
Because the question specifically asks for the running OSPF configuration, show running-config | include router ospf is the appropriate choice. It combines the benefits of the running configuration with the precision of filtering, allowing administrators to see only what is relevant to OSPF. This approach is not only more efficient but also reduces the chance of overlooking important configuration details, ensuring that network operations are consistent, secure, and properly documented. Using this command is a best practice for managing OSPF in enterprise networks, providing clarity and accuracy when verifying routing protocol configurations.
Question 147
Which type of cable is required to connect a router console port to a PC?
A) Rollover
B) Straight-through
C) Crossover
D) Fiber patch
Answer: A) Rollover
Explanation
Rollover cables are used to connect a PC to a router’s console port for configuration purposes. They have reversed pinouts and typically connect via an RJ-45 to DB-9 adapter.
Straight-through cables are used for connecting different device types like switch-to-PC.
Crossover cables are used for connecting similar devices like switch-to-switch or router-to-router.
Fiber patch cables are used for optical connections and require matching transceivers.
Because the question asks for connecting a router console port to a PC, Rollover is correct.
Question 148
Which protocol is used to translate hostnames to IP addresses?
A) DNS
B) DHCP
C) ARP
D) ICMP
Answer: A) DNS
Explanation
DNS (Domain Name System) translates human-readable hostnames into IP addresses, allowing devices to communicate without remembering numerical IPs.
DHCP assigns IP addresses dynamically to devices on the network.
ARP maps IP addresses to MAC addresses for local network delivery.
ICMP is used for diagnostics and error messaging, not hostname resolution.
Because the question asks for hostname-to-IP translation, DNS is correct.
Question 149
Which command verifies the current VLAN assignment on a switch port?
A) show vlan brief
B) show interfaces status
C) show running-config
D) show mac address-table
Answer: B) show interfaces status
Explanation
Show interfaces status displays each switch port along with its VLAN assignment, duplex, speed, and status, making it a quick way to check port VLAN configuration.
Show vlan brief displays VLANs configured on the switch but does not directly indicate which port is assigned to which VLAN in a concise format.
Show running-config shows the full active configuration but requires searching for the port assignment.
Show mac address-table shows MAC addresses learned on ports but not VLAN assignments.
Because the question asks for the current VLAN assignment per port, show interfaces status is correct.
Question 150
Which protocol ensures reliable, connection-oriented communication between devices?
A) TCP
B) UDP
C) ICMP
D) ARP
Answer: A) TCP
Explanation
TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) provides connection-oriented communication with acknowledgment, sequencing, and error checking, ensuring reliable data delivery.
UDP is connectionless, providing faster communication without guaranteed delivery.
ICMP is used for diagnostics and error messages, not reliable transport.
ARP maps IP addresses to MAC addresses and does not provide communication reliability.
Because the question asks for reliable, connection-oriented communication, TCP is correct.