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Take the CCNA 3 Scaling Networks Final Exam Practice Test

Ready for your ccna 3 final test? Dive into scaling networks challenges!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for CCNA 3 final exam practice test quiz on a coral background

Ready to tackle the ccna 3 final exam? Our free CCNA 3 Final Exam Practice Test: Ace Scaling Networks helps you master core topics and track progress with this ccna 3 final test. You'll face scaling networks questions on VLANs, OSPF, and routing strategies to pinpoint strengths and focus your study. Ideal for busy students and professionals, this ccna3 final exam prep offers instant feedback to boost confidence and clarify tricky concepts. Try our ccna 3 final exam test alongside ccna sample questions - dive in now!

What is the primary purpose of a VLAN in a switched network?
To segment a physical LAN into multiple logical LANs
To increase the number of broadcast domains across routers
To convert switches into routers
To reduce bandwidth on Ethernet links
VLANs allow network administrators to create separate broadcast domains on a single switch, improving security and reducing unnecessary traffic. They logically segment users into different networks without additional hardware. VLAN membership is determined by switch configuration. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/tech/lan-switching/vlan
Which device operates at OSI layer 3 by default and routes traffic between VLANs?
Layer 3 switch
Bridge
Hub
Access point
Layer 3 switches combine switching and routing capabilities, allowing VLAN traffic to be routed internally without external routers. They perform IP routing on hardware for speed. They are commonly used for inter-VLAN routing in enterprise networks. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/switches/what-is-layer-3-switching.html
What IEEE standard defines 802.1Q trunking?
802.1D
802.1Q
802.11ac
802.3ad
IEEE 802.1Q is the standard for VLAN tagging on Ethernet trunks, adding a 4-byte tag to frames. It allows multiple VLANs to share a single link while remaining separated. The tag identifies the VLAN membership of each frame. https://standards.ieee.org/standard/802_1Q-2018.html
Which spanning-tree protocol is enabled by default on Cisco switches?
PVST+
RSTP
MST
Rapid-PVST+
Cisco switches default to Per-VLAN Spanning Tree Plus (PVST+), which runs a separate STP instance per VLAN. PVST+ ensures rapid convergence per VLAN. Rapid-PVST+ must be enabled manually. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/campus_lan/sf/sf7200/software/configuration/guide/sf7k_scg/sws_pvst.html
What command verifies VLAN configuration on a Cisco switch?
show running-config vlan
show vlan brief
show ip interface brief
show spanning-tree vlan
The command 'show vlan brief' displays configured VLANs, their IDs, names, and associated ports. It is a quick way to verify VLAN assignments. Other commands show different configurations. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/campus_lan/sf/sf7200/software/configuration/guide/sf7k_scg/intro_show_sw.html
In EtherChannel, which mode allows a link to form if the remote port is set to 'active' or 'passive'?
Nonegotiate
Static On
PAgP
LACP
LACP (Link Aggregation Control Protocol) negotiates EtherChannel when one side is 'active' and the other 'passive' or 'active'. It is open standard (IEEE 802.3ad). PAgP is Cisco proprietary. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/tech/ethernet/lacp.html
What is the default native VLAN on a Cisco 802.1Q trunk?
VLAN 1002
VLAN 4094
VLAN 10
VLAN 1
Cisco switches default the native VLAN to VLAN 1 on 802.1Q trunks, carrying untagged traffic. Best practice is to change the native VLAN for security. It must match on both trunk ends. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/ios/12_2t/12_2t15/feature/guide/fttrunk.html
Which CLI command shows EtherChannel port membership?
show etherchannel summary
show channel-group
show interface trunk
show running-config interface port-channel
The 'show etherchannel summary' command displays EtherChannel groups, member ports, protocol, and status. It provides a concise overview of channel configuration. Other commands give more detail but not summary. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/ios/12_0s/feature/guide/ftrch.html
What protocol converts MAC addresses to IP addresses in IPv4 networks?
DNS
RARP
ICMP
ARP
ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) resolves known IPv4 addresses to MAC addresses within a LAN. It broadcasts a request and caches replies. RARP does the reverse, mapping MAC to IP. https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc826
Which command displays the STP root bridge for each VLAN?
show spanning-tree detail
show spanning-tree vlan brief
show spanning-tree summary
show spanning-tree root
The 'show spanning-tree root' command shows the root bridge ID and path cost per VLAN. It is the quickest way to verify root roles. Other commands provide more detail but not specific root info. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/ios/12_2/conprog/configuration/guide/stp.html
Which IPv6 address type is equivalent to IPv4 private (RFC 1918) addresses?
Global unicast addresses (2000::/3)
Link-local addresses (fe80::/10)
Multicast addresses (ff00::/8)
Unique local addresses (fc00::/7)
Unique local IPv6 addresses (fc00::/7) are analogous to RFC 1918 IPv4 private addresses, used within organizations. They are not routable on the global Internet. They overlap if not carefully managed. https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc4193
Which default administrative distance does OSPF use?
120
90
110
100
OSPF uses an administrative distance of 110 by default in Cisco IOS. This value determines route preference relative to other protocols. Lower values have higher preference. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/ios/11_3/12cgcr/12cgcr/xcprods.html
Which command enters interface configuration mode for VLAN 10?
vlan 10
interface fastethernet0/10
switchport access vlan 10
interface vlan 10
To configure a switched virtual interface (SVI) for VLAN 10, use 'interface vlan 10' in global config mode. This allows you to assign IP addressing to the VLAN. 'vlan 10' only creates the VLAN. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/campus_lan/sf/sf7200/software/configuration/guide/sf7k_scg/sws_svi.html
On a trunk link, how does a switch treat untagged frames by default?
Drops them
Floods them across all VLANs
Assigns them to the native VLAN
Tags them with VLAN 1
Untagged frames on an 802.1Q trunk are forwarded in the native VLAN (default VLAN 1). They are neither tagged nor dropped. Mismatched native VLANs cause connectivity issues. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/lan-switching/802-1q/10561-3.html
Which switchport mode starts as access and converts to trunk when a neighbor is speaking DTP?
Trunk
Access
Dynamic Auto
Dynamic Desirable
Dynamic auto mode is the passive side of DTP and will trunk only if the neighbor actively requests (dynamic desirable). It starts as access otherwise. Dynamic desirable actively attempts to form trunks. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/ios/12_2/trunk/configuration/guide/ftrunk.html
What is the function of a router ID in OSPF?
IP address to forward packets out
Label for MPLS forwarding
Unique identifier for OSPF processes
Identifier for BGP neighbors
The OSPF router ID uniquely identifies each router in an OSPF domain. It is chosen from the highest active loopback or physical IP address. It remains constant unless manually changed. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/ip/open-shortest-path-first-ospf/7039-1.html
When configuring EIGRP, what does the 'bandwidth' command in an interface affect?
Hello timer rate
EIGRP metric calculation
Actual link bandwidth
Administrative distance
EIGRP uses the bandwidth setting of interfaces to compute its composite metric, influencing path selection. It does not change actual physical bandwidth. Bandwidth influences delay and throughput calculations. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/ip/enhanced-interior-gateway-routing-protocol-eigrp/13752-3.html
Which VTP mode allows creation, deletion, and modification of VLANs in the domain?
Server
Client
Transparent
Off
VTP Server mode permits full VLAN management within the VTP domain, including creating and deleting VLANs. Clients receive updates but cannot make changes. Transparent mode forwards updates but local VLANs are independent. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/lan-switching/vlan/10023-3.html
Which protocol provides fast convergence in STP by storing alternate paths?
Rapid PVST+
GVRP
PVST+
MST
Rapid PVST+ (802.1w) improves convergence by pre-computing backup paths and quickly transitioning ports. It reduces the listening/learning delay of classic STP. It is enabled per VLAN on Cisco devices. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/ios/12_2t/12_2t15/feature/guide/ftrprst.html
In OSPF multi-area design, which area type does not allow external routes?
Stub area
Not-so-stubby area (NSSA)
Normal area
Backbone area
A stub area prohibits external (Type 5) LSAs to reduce routing table size. Instead, a default route is used. NSSA allows limited external routes with specific type. The backbone carries all LSAs. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/ip/open-shortest-path-first-ospf/13684-16.html
Which statement correctly describes a VTP pruning function?
Blocks untagged frames on trunks
Stops VLAN traffic on trunk links that have no subscriber ports
Removes unused VLANs from the VTP domain
Prevents creation of new VLANs
VTP pruning prevents unnecessary flooding of broadcast, multicast, and unknown unicast frames across trunks where no ports are in the VLAN. This conserves bandwidth. It is enabled per VLAN basis. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/lan-switching/vlan/10523-3.html
What happens when two switches with the same VTP domain name but different passwords connect?
They negotiate a common password
They exchange VLANs but drop password-protected ones
They do not exchange VTP information
They automatically switch to transparent mode
VTP domain password mismatch prevents VTP synchronization between switches to maintain security. No VLAN information is exchanged. They will remain isolated regarding VTP. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/lan-switching/vlan/10023-3.html
Which spanning-tree feature protects against rogue root bridges?
BPDU Guard
Loop Guard
Root Guard
UDLD
Root Guard prevents ports from becoming root port by blocking superior BPDUs from unauthorized switches, maintaining the intended root. The port goes into root-inconsistent state if it receives superior BPDUs. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/campus_lan/sf/sf7200/software/configuration/guide/sf7k_scg/sws_rootguard.html
In EIGRP, which packet type is sent reliably?
Update
Query
Acknowledgment
Hello
EIGRP update packets are sent reliably using RTP sequenced delivery. They contain routing information. Hello packets are sent unreliably to discover neighbors. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/ip/enhanced-interior-gateway-routing-protocol-eigrp/13752-3.html
Which OSPF network type is used for point-to-point links?
Point-to-Multipoint
Non-Broadcast
Point-to-Point
Broadcast
OSPF point-to-point network type is optimized for serial links without DR election. Hello packets are unicast. It reduces overhead compared to broadcast. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/ios-xml/ios/iproute_ospf/configuration/15-s/iro-15-s-book/iro-network-types.html
Which command disables auto-summary in EIGRP for IPv4?
no auto-summary
disable auto-summary
no auto-sum
no summary
The 'no auto-summary' command prevents EIGRP from summarizing routes at classful boundaries, enabling seamless discontiguous network support. It is applied under the EIGRP routing process. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/ios/12_0s/12_0s_r2/feature/guide/freigr.html
What does VLAN pruning help to reduce?
MAC address table entries
Unnecessary broadcast and multicast traffic
VLAN database size
Number of STP instances
VTP pruning stops broadcasts, multicasts, and unknown unicasts from being sent over links with no downstream members of a VLAN. This optimizes trunk bandwidth. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/lan-switching/vlan/10523-3.html
Which OSPF LSA type is used to advertise inter-area routes?
Type 5
Type 3
Type 4
Type 1
OSPF Type 3 LSAs (Summary LSAs) are generated by area border routers to advertise networks between areas. Type 5 LSAs advertise external routes into the OSPF domain. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/ios/12_2/iproute/command/reference/ir_book/ir_lsas.html
What is the effect of configuring 'ip ospf network point-to-multipoint' on an interface?
Neighbors are formed via unicast and there is no DR election
Link goes into backup state
Neighbors form via multicast and DR election occurs
Area becomes NSSA
Point-to-multipoint network type treats each neighbor as a separate point-to-point link, uses unicast Hellos, and does not elect DR/BDR. It simplifies hub-and-spoke OSPF topologies. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/ip/open-shortest-path-first-ospf/13684-16.html
In BGP, what attribute is used to prefer one external path over another?
Origin
MED
AS Path Length
Local Preference
BGP chooses routes with the shortest AS path when comparing eBGP paths. This attribute promotes reaching the destination via fewer autonomous systems. Local Preference applies to iBGP. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/ip/border-gateway-protocol-bgp/19637-bgpfaq.html
Which technology allows multiple routed links to be combined into one logical link with per-packet or per-flow load balancing?
HSRP
VRRP
Multipath routing (Equal-Cost Multipath)
MPLS LDP
Equal-Cost Multipath (ECMP) allows routers to load balance traffic across multiple equal-cost paths on a per-packet or per-flow basis. It increases bandwidth and redundancy. HSRP and VRRP provide gateway redundancy, not multipath. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/ip/open-shortest-path-first-ospf/13684-12.html
Which MST configuration step must be the same on all switches in the region?
MST configuration name, revision, and VLAN-to-instance mapping
Trunk encapsulation
Root guard settings
BPDU filter configurations
All MST switches in a region must share the same configuration revision, name, and VLAN-to-MSTI mapping to be considered in the same region. Discrepancies cause region boundary. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/campus_lan/7-0/configuration/guide/CLI/b_7_0_Campus_LAN_CLI_Configuration_Guide/mstp.html
What is the maximum number of equal-cost paths supported by EIGRP by default?
8
2
4
16
EIGRP supports up to 4 equal-cost paths by default for load balancing. This can be changed with the 'maximum-paths' command. It distributes traffic evenly. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/ios/12_2/12_2sr/configuration/guide/route/config/eigrp.html
Which BGP attribute is compared first when selecting the best path?
Origin
Weight
Local Preference
AS Path
Cisco's proprietary Weight attribute is evaluated first and only locally significant, used to prefer one route over another. If weights are equal, Local Preference is next. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/ip/border-gateway-protocol-bgp/19637-bgpfaq.html
What is the OSPF link-state database synchronization process called between neighbors?
LSAck
LSUpdate
Flooding
Database exchange (EXCHANGE)
During OSPF neighbor establishment, routers exchange database description packets in the EXCHANGE state to compare LSDBs. If differences exist, LSUpdates follow. This ensures both routers have identical link-state information. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/ip/open-shortest-path-first-ospf/7039-1.html
In MST, how are STP root bridges elected across regions?
Randomly among all switches
Globally within each spanning-tree instance based on bridge ID
Manually set by the primary bridge command
Per physical switch on each region boundary
In MST, each MSTI has its own root bridge elected based on the lowest bridge ID within the MST region and extended into the backbone. Per-instance roots optimize traffic. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/solutions/Enterprise/Campus/campover.html
What is the purpose of the BGP next-hop-self command?
Changes next hop to peer's peer for iBGP
Forces local preference to default
Sets the next-hop attribute to the local router for eBGP learned routes
Resets the MED attribute
The 'next-hop-self' command sets the BGP next hop to the local router's IP for routes advertised to iBGP peers, ensuring reachability. Without it, some routes might be unreachable. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/ios/12_2/12_2_t/feature/guide/ftrbgp.html
What mechanism ensures OSPF stub area routers still receive external routes from NSSA areas?
Type 3 LSA flooding
Default route injection only
Type 7 LSAs converted to Type 5 by ABRs
Graceful restart mechanism
In NSSA, external routes are advertised as Type 7 LSAs and converted to Type 5 by ABRs when flooding into the backbone or stub areas. This preserves external reachability. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/ip/open-shortest-path-first-ospf/13684-16.html
In BGP, how can you prevent a customer from advertising your prefixes to another peer?
Set high local preference on the customer session
Implement outbound prefix?list filtering on the customer-facing neighbor
Use a route-map with 'deny' on update?source on the eBGP session
Configure next-hop-self towards the customer
Applying an outbound prefix?list on the eBGP peer facing the customer blocks specific prefixes from being advertised further, preventing accidental transit. Route-maps can also be used. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/ios/12_2/configfun/configuration/guide/funbgp.html
Which DMVPN component dynamically builds IPsec tunnels over the public network?
Next Hop Resolution Protocol (NHRP)
ISAKMP PFS group
GRE keepalives
Router Alert Option
NHRP enables DMVPN spokes to learn each other's public addresses from the hub and build direct GRE-over-IPsec tunnels dynamically, minimizing hub traffic. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/ios/iproute/iproute46/ip46_ripem/command/ip46_ripem_cr-book/ip46_nhrp.html
What QoS mechanism ensures guaranteed bandwidth for critical applications across a congested link?
Class-based fair queueing
Link fragmentation and interleaving
RSVP with guaranteed service
Weighted Random Early Detection
RSVP with Guaranteed Service reserves resources end-to-end for critical applications, ensuring a minimum bandwidth and low delay across congested links. Other mechanisms handle queue management differently. https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc2212
In OSPF, how does area range summarization affect Type 3 LSAs?
Converts Type 3 into Type 5 LSAs
Suppresses detailed networks and advertises a summary only
Removes summaries from the backbone
Enables automatic NSSA conversion
Area range summarization on an ABR consolidates multiple networks into a single summary Type 3 LSA, reducing LSDB size. It suppresses the detailed LSAs within that range. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/ip/open-shortest-path-first-ospf/13684-16.html
What Cisco IOS feature allows you to degrade the bandwidth available to non-critical traffic?
Traffic policing with police command
Class-based shaping
MPLS TE
Low-latency queuing
Traffic policing enforces a strict bandwidth limit by dropping or remarking packets above the configured rate, ensuring non-critical classes do not exceed their allocation. Policing is immediate and stateless. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/ios/12_2/qos/configuration/guide/fqos_c/fpolice.html
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Network Device Configuration -

    After completing this CCNA 3 final exam practice test, you'll be able to identify and configure essential router and switch settings to support network scaling.

  2. Analyze Hierarchical Design Principles -

    Leverage concepts from the ccna 3 final test to dissect core, distribution, and access layers for efficient and scalable network architectures.

  3. Apply VLAN Trunking and EtherChannel -

    Implement trunk links and link”aggregation techniques to ensure resilient and scalable connectivity in diverse network environments.

  4. Troubleshoot Redundancy Protocols -

    Use knowledge from the ccna3 final exam to diagnose and resolve spanning”tree and HSRP issues, maintaining uptime in scaled networks.

  5. Evaluate Advanced Scaling Strategies -

    Assess methods such as route summarization and load balancing to optimize performance and readiness for the ccna 3 final exam test.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Hierarchical Network Design -

    Understanding the three-tier model (Core, Distribution, Access) helps you build scalable, resilient networks for the ccna 3 final exam. Remember the mnemonic "CDA" to recall each layer's role: Core for high-speed transport, Distribution for policy enforcement, and Access for endpoint connectivity. This structure aligns with Cisco best practices and reduces broadcast domains as you scale.

  2. EtherChannel Link Aggregation -

    EtherChannel bundles multiple physical links into one logical link, boosting bandwidth and providing redundancy - key topics on your ccna 3 final test. Use LACP (IEEE 802.3ad) or PAgP with commands like "channel-group 1 mode active" to negotiate the bundle; the formula for total throughput is simply N × link speed. Practicing this on Cisco Packet Tracer reinforces configuration and verification steps.

  3. Spanning Tree Protocol Variants -

    STP, RSTP, and MSTP prevent loops in redundant topologies, a must-know for the ccna3 final exam. Recall that RSTP reduces convergence to seconds by using rapid transition ports, and MSTP lets you map multiple VLANs to regions - think "Multiple Spanning Trees." Review root bridge election (lowest bridge ID wins) and port roles to master failure recovery.

  4. OSPF Multi-Area Design -

    Splitting OSPF into multiple areas improves scalability by reducing LSDB size, crucial content on the ccna 3 final exam test. Always place Area 0 as your backbone and summarize routes at area boundaries using "area X range" commands to limit LSA flooding. Consulting Cisco's RFC 2328 and official documentation reinforces why backbone connectivity is mandatory.

  5. First-Hop Redundancy Protocols -

    HSRP, VRRP, and GLBP ensure gateway availability when routers fail, a vital ccna 3 final exam topic. Remember the order: HSRP uses active/standby, VRRP elects a master router, and GLBP load-balances with virtual MACs - mnemonic "Happy Very Good Paths." Lab these protocols to practice setting virtual IP and priority values under failure scenarios.

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