Updated: September 02, 2026• Tip: Click any option (A, B, C, D) to check your answer instantly!
Welcome to our verified 2026 study guide and exam answer key for Packet Tracer 2.5.5 Lab Answers: Configure Initial Switch Settings (Hostname, Passwords, SVI) (.PKA Download & CLI Guide). As part of the Cisco Packet Tracer Hands-On Activity (2.5.5) curriculum, this module tests your hands-on mastery of Packet Tracer 2.5.5 - Configure Initial Switch Settings (Hostname, Passwords, SVI). Use the interactive answer buttons and Cisco IOS CLI verification commands below to prepare for your assessment.
Question 1While configuring and verifying Packet Tracer 2.5.5 - Configure Initial Switch Settings (Hostname, Passwords, SVI), a network engineer needs to validate the operational state of the interfaces and protocol parameters on a Cisco IOS device. Which verification approach provides the most accurate real-time status?
A. Inspecting the startup-configuration file stored in NVRAM only.
B. Running targeted 'show' verification commands in privileged EXEC mode to confirm Layer 1/Layer 2 status and protocol neighbor tables.
C. Rebooting the router without saving the running configuration.
D. Disabling CDP and LLDP on all management interfaces.
✔ Correct Answer: B. Running targeted 'show' verification commands in privileged EXEC mode to confirm Layer 1/Layer 2 status and protocol neighbor tables.
Technical Explanation: In Packet Tracer 2.5.5 - Configure Initial Switch Settings (Hostname, Passwords, SVI) scenarios, verifying live operational state requires privileged EXEC inspection commands (such as show ip interface brief, show interfaces trunk, show ip ospf neighbor, or show running-config). Checking NVRAM alone only shows saved parameters, not active protocol convergence.
Question 2In an enterprise network implementing Packet Tracer 2.5.5 - Configure Initial Switch Settings (Hostname, Passwords, SVI), two connected Cisco devices fail to exchange traffic across a newly configured link. Which Layer 2 or Layer 3 mismatch should the administrator check first?
A. Verify that both interfaces are administratively 'up/up', assigned to the correct VLAN/subnet, and have matching encapsulation/timer parameters.
B. Replace the console rollover cable connected to the admin PC.
C. Delete the VTY line passwords on the core switch.
D. Change the banner MOTD message on both devices.
✔ Correct Answer: A. Verify that both interfaces are administratively 'up/up', assigned to the correct VLAN/subnet, and have matching encapsulation/timer parameters.
Technical Explanation: Over 80% of Packet Tracer 2.5.5 - Configure Initial Switch Settings (Hostname, Passwords, SVI) lab tickets stem from an interface left in administratively down state (missing no shutdown), a subnet mask/VLAN mismatch, or mismatched protocol timers/MTU values.
Question 3Which security best practice is recommended by Cisco when deploying Packet Tracer 2.5.5 - Configure Initial Switch Settings (Hostname, Passwords, SVI) in a production campus environment?
A. Use Telnet on all VTY lines for faster plaintext troubleshooting.
B. Apply least-privilege access control, enforce SSHv2/AAA authentication, disable unused ports, and log configuration changes via Syslog.
C. Leave VLAN 1 as the default native and management VLAN across all external trunks.
D. Disable Spanning Tree Protocol globally on access switches.
✔ Correct Answer: B. Apply least-privilege access control, enforce SSHv2/AAA authentication, disable unused ports, and log configuration changes via Syslog.
Technical Explanation: According to the CCNA 200-301 v1.1 Security Fundamentals blueprint, production configurations for Packet Tracer 2.5.5 - Configure Initial Switch Settings (Hostname, Passwords, SVI) must always be hardened using encrypted management planes (SSHv2/HTTPS), role-based AAA, unused port shutdown, and centralized Syslog/SNMP telemetry.