Discuss GIAC GSNA Exam Topic 3 Question 86

You work as a Network Administrator for Net Perfect Inc. The company has a TCP/IP-based network environment. The network contains Cisco switches and a Cisco router. You run the following command for a router interface:

show interface serial0

You get the following output:

Serial0 is administratively down, line protocol is down

What will be your conclusion after viewing this output?

AThere is a physical problem either with the interface or the cable attached to it.

BThe router has no power.

CThere is a problem related to encapsulation.

DThe interface is shut down.

Suggested Answer: D

According to the question, the output displays that the interface is administratively down. Administratively down means that the interface is

shut down. In order to up the interface, you will have to open the interface with the no shutdown command.

Answer A is incorrect. Had there been a physical problem with the interface, the output would not have displayed 'administratively

down'. Instead, the output would be as follows:

serial0 is down, line protocol is down

Answer B is incorrect. You cannot run this command on a router that is powered off.

Answer C is incorrect. Encapsulation has nothing to do with the output displayed in the question.

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17 comments · newest first

Kyoko 22 days ago

True, we should check the configuration next.

Mozell 28 days ago

But the output clearly says it's administratively down.

Noe 1 month ago

What if it’s a power issue? B could be a concern.

Johana 1 month ago

I agree, D is the right choice.

Yolando 1 month ago

Definitely D. We need to enable it first.

Catalina 2 months ago

A could be possible too, but D is more direct.

Kyoko 2 months ago

Yeah, D makes sense. It's administratively down.

Mozell 2 months ago

I think the interface is shut down.

Herminia 2 months ago

I thought encapsulation issues could cause this too, but D makes more sense.

Murray 2 months ago

No way, it’s not B. The router would still power on.

Brunilda 2 months ago

Wait, could it be A? What if there’s a cable issue?

Jackie 3 months ago

I agree, it’s clearly administratively down.

Joni 3 months ago

Definitely D, the interface is shut down.

Gladys 3 months ago

I thought "line protocol is down" could suggest encapsulation issues, but now I'm leaning towards D since it specifically says "administratively down."

Frederick 3 months ago

This reminds me of a practice question where the output showed similar terms. I think "administratively down" definitely points to the interface being shut down.

William 3 months ago

I'm not entirely sure, but I feel like it could also be a physical issue. I need to double-check what "line protocol is down" really indicates.

Joesph 4 months ago

I remember that "administratively down" usually means the interface has been manually disabled, so I think the answer is D.

GIAC GSNA Exam - Topic 3 Question 86 Discussion