Cisco 300-430 Exam Dumps & Practice Test Questions

Question 1:

A FlexConnect Access Point (AP) in a branch office is operating in standalone mode due to a lost connection with the Wireless LAN Controller (WLC). Despite local switching being enabled, all wireless clients are disconnected, and the SSID is no longer visible. 

What configuration setting is most likely responsible for this behavior?

A. ISE NAC is enabled
B. 802.11r Fast Transition is enabled
C. Client Exclusion is enabled
D. FlexConnect Local Authentication is disabled

Correct Answer:D

Explanation:

In FlexConnect deployments, Cisco Access Points (APs) are designed to provide flexibility in remote or branch environments by allowing them to continue serving wireless clients even when they lose contact with the centralized Wireless LAN Controller (WLC). This is accomplished through local switching and, when necessary, local authentication.

The issue described in the question arises when an AP is operating in standalone mode, meaning it has lost contact with its WLC, and despite local switching being enabled, all connected clients are disconnected and the SSID stops being broadcasted. This suggests that a critical feature required for independent operation is either misconfigured or disabled.

The most likely cause is that FlexConnect Local Authentication is disabled. Without this setting, the AP cannot authenticate users on its own in the absence of a WLC. While local switching allows the AP to handle client data traffic locally, it does not cover client authentication processes unless local authentication is explicitly enabled. When local authentication is disabled, the AP depends on the WLC to authenticate clients. So, if the WLC is unavailable, new clients cannot join the network and existing clients are dropped.

Let’s briefly examine why the other options are incorrect:

• A. ISE NAC is enabled: NAC (Network Access Control) via Cisco ISE helps enforce security policies but does not impact SSID broadcasting or connectivity during a WLC outage.

• B. 802.11r Fast Transition is enabled: This feature enhances roaming between APs but does not prevent SSIDs from being advertised or disconnect clients during WLC failure.

• C. Client Exclusion is enabled: This policy affects individual clients due to excessive failures or security policy violations but does not stop SSID broadcasting or affect all clients at once.

In conclusion, for FlexConnect APs to operate effectively in standalone mode, both local switching and local authentication must be enabled. Without local authentication, clients cannot be authenticated locally, leading to disconnections and the disappearance of the SSID when the WLC goes offline.

Question 2:

An engineer needs to implement wireless intrusion protection in a historic building where adding additional APs is not feasible. Although client coverage is sufficient, there is concern about on-channel attacks. 

To provide effective WLAN protection within the existing infrastructure, which AP mode and submode configuration is most appropriate?

A. AP mode: local, AP submode: none
B. AP mode: monitor, AP submode: WIPS
C. AP mode: monitor, AP submode: none
D. AP mode: local, AP submode: WIPS

Correct Answer:  B

Explanation:

To implement wireless security effectively in environments where infrastructure changes are restricted—such as a historic building—it's essential to make use of the existing APs strategically. The goal in this scenario is to defend the WLAN against on-channel attacks like deauthentication, jamming, spoofing, or rogue AP impersonation, without deploying more hardware.

The best approach here is to use monitor mode with the WIPS (Wireless Intrusion Prevention System) submode.

In monitor mode, the AP does not serve clients. Instead, it listens passively across wireless channels to detect security threats and interference. This mode is ideal for network protection tasks such as rogue device detection and intrusion prevention. When you pair monitor mode with WIPS, the AP actively identifies and responds to wireless threats in real-time.

Let’s explore why the other choices are not ideal:

• A. AP mode: local, submode: none: This setup is meant for serving client data traffic. It offers no monitoring or threat detection capabilities.

• C. AP mode: monitor, submode: none: While this AP would scan the RF environment, it would not take any action to prevent or mitigate threats. Without the WIPS submode, it only passively observes.

• D. AP mode: local, submode: WIPS: This is an invalid combination. WIPS cannot function in local mode, as the AP must dedicate its radios entirely to monitoring in order to scan for attacks effectively.

By deploying the AP in monitor mode with the WIPS submode, the engineer ensures the AP focuses entirely on security tasks, scanning for threats and taking mitigation steps without needing to serve client traffic. This configuration fits the constraints of the building—no additional APs—and addresses the primary concern: on-channel wireless attacks.

This combination maximizes security without additional hardware, making it the most effective and efficient solution in this scenario.

Question 3:

An engineer is setting up a FlexConnect group for remote access points, where data traffic is locally switched while IP addresses are assigned by a centralized DHCP server. The engineer wants to enable a specific client-side feature that requires a change in the current setup. 

Which client functionality would only become available if the configuration is altered?

A. Multicast
B. Static IP
C. Fast Roaming
D. mDNS

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

FlexConnect is a Cisco wireless deployment mode that allows access points to function effectively at remote locations without constant controller connectivity. In this setup, access points can be configured to forward client data traffic either locally or through the centralized Wireless LAN Controller (WLC). When “local switching” is enabled, client data bypasses the WLC and is handled at the local network level, which is beneficial for reducing WAN bandwidth usage and improving latency. However, centralized services such as DHCP can still be retained to manage IP address assignments consistently.

Among the listed features, Fast Roaming (802.11r) is the one that necessitates a configuration change to become functional. This feature allows clients to roam quickly between APs with minimal disruption to ongoing sessions such as VoIP calls or video streaming. For Fast Roaming to work correctly, a consistent key management strategy across access points is required, which typically involves centralized authentication or a hybrid configuration that supports seamless key distribution.

In the scenario described, the combination of local switching and centralized DHCP does not inherently support the required components of Fast Roaming. The configuration must be modified to either use centralized switching, or to enable local authentication with centralized key management (CKM), both of which support the seamless handoff necessary for 802.11r to function properly.

Here’s why the other options are incorrect:

• A. Multicast – This feature works independently of DHCP configuration and is often supported in local switching scenarios as long as the multicast configuration is correctly set up on the APs and local network.

• B. Static IP – Static addressing is configured directly on the client device and is not affected by whether DHCP is centralized or not. This option does not depend on the FlexConnect configuration.

• D. mDNS (Multicast DNS) – This protocol allows devices to discover each other on the same subnet and typically functions regardless of how DHCP or switching is configured. It relies more on local network broadcast behavior than controller-side configurations.

In conclusion, Fast Roaming is the only feature in this list that depends on a configuration change to become operational under a FlexConnect environment using local switching and centralized DHCP. To activate it, you need to ensure the FlexConnect setup supports the appropriate roaming architecture, making C. Fast Roaming the correct answer.

Question 4:

A remote site uses FlexConnect with five Cisco 2702i indoor APs and two Cisco 1532i outdoor APs. During a software upgrade, the engineer uses the FlexConnect Smart AP Image Upgrade feature, but has not configured a FlexConnect Master AP. 

How many separate image transfers will take place from the WLC to the APs during the upgrade?

A. 1
B. 2
C. 5
D. 7

Correct Answer: D

Explanation:

FlexConnect Smart AP Image Upgrade is a feature that optimizes the image distribution process during software upgrades in FlexConnect deployments. The core advantage of this mechanism is that it can reduce WAN bandwidth consumption by allowing one access point—the FlexConnect Master AP—to receive the image from the controller and distribute it to peer APs within the same FlexConnect group. However, if no Master AP is configured, the Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) must send the image directly to each AP individually, which increases the number of image transfers and uses more bandwidth.

In this specific case, we are told there are five 2702i indoor access points and two 1532i outdoor access points, totaling seven APs. Since no FlexConnect Master AP is assigned, the WLC treats each AP as a separate endpoint requiring a direct transfer. This means that each of the seven APs will receive the image file independently from the controller.

The breakdown of the transfers is as follows:

• 5 image transfers to the five 2702i indoor APs.

• 2 image transfers to the two 1532i outdoor APs.

Altogether, this results in 7 separate image transfers from the WLC to the APs.

Let’s look at why the other answer choices are incorrect:

• A. 1 – This would only be accurate if one AP received the image and shared it with the rest (which requires a configured FlexConnect Master AP). Since none is configured, this option is incorrect.

• B. 2 – This would imply perhaps one transfer for indoor and one for outdoor APs, but again, without a Master AP, each AP must be updated individually.

• C. 5 – This option assumes that only the indoor APs are considered, neglecting the two outdoor APs which also need the image. This is therefore incomplete.

Therefore, in the absence of a FlexConnect Master AP, the controller must send the image to all seven APs individually, making D. 7 the correct answer. This scenario highlights the importance of configuring a Master AP to streamline the upgrade process, especially in larger remote deployments where WAN efficiency is critical.

Question 5:

While deploying a Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controller to support remote wireless connectivity via Office Extend Access Points (OEAP), the network engineer must activate the OEAP feature.

In which configuration section of the controller should this setting be enabled?

A. RF Profile
B. Flex Profile
C. Policy Profile
D. AP Join Profile

Correct Answer: D

Explanation:

In a Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controller environment, Office Extend Access Point (OEAP) functionality allows a company to securely extend its enterprise wireless network to employees working from remote locations, such as home offices. These APs appear as if they are local to the corporate network, but they actually connect over the internet via a secure tunnel to the corporate WLC. Properly configuring OEAP is essential for maintaining centralized management while ensuring remote connectivity.

To enable OEAP, the configuration must be made in the AP Join Profile. This profile manages the parameters required for access points to successfully associate and register with the wireless controller. It includes options that govern behavior for remote APs, such as enabling OEAP, defining CAPWAP settings, and customizing join parameters.

Let’s explore why the other options are incorrect:

• A. RF Profile: This profile is focused on defining radio settings such as transmit power, data rates, and channel width. It ensures that wireless signals are optimized for coverage and performance but does not handle how APs join or operate in OEAP mode.

• B. Flex Profile: While Flex Profiles are used for FlexConnect APs in branch office scenarios, they are not the correct place for enabling OEAP. FlexConnect is designed for local switching of traffic, while OEAP requires tunneling back to the controller.

• C. Policy Profile: This profile governs network policies, such as Quality of Service (QoS), VLAN assignments, security rules, and access control. Although important for traffic handling, it doesn't relate to how an AP joins as an OEAP.

• D. AP Join Profile: This is the correct answer. The AP Join Profile contains critical settings for AP registration and remote operation. Enabling OEAP in this section ensures that APs at remote locations can securely establish tunnels and behave as extensions of the corporate network.

In conclusion, configuring OEAP support involves activating the feature in the AP Join Profile, ensuring that the controller can recognize and properly manage OEAP devices. Without this configuration, remote access points would not function in OEAP mode, defeating the purpose of extending enterprise wireless to home or branch users. Therefore, the correct choice is D.

Question 6:

A network engineer is configuring a Cisco Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) and must add VLAN ID 30 to a FlexConnect group named BranchA-FCG using the CLI. 

What is the correct command to complete this task?

A. config flexconnect BranchA-FCG vlan 30 add
B. config flexconnect BranchA-FCG vlan add 30
C. config flexconnect group BranchA-FCG vlan 30 add
D. config flexconnect group BranchA-FCG vlan add 30

Correct Answer: D

Explanation:

When working with FlexConnect mode in Cisco wireless networks, access points are configured to locally switch traffic for connected wireless clients while still being managed by a centralized Wireless LAN Controller (WLC). One important task in setting up FlexConnect is assigning VLANs to a FlexConnect group, which allows a group of APs to share common VLAN configurations.

To add VLAN 30 to the FlexConnect group named "BranchA-FCG" using the CLI, the syntax must follow the correct hierarchical structure. The command:

config flexconnect group BranchA-FCG vlan add 30

is the proper command because it accurately reflects the format expected by the WLC’s CLI. It tells the controller to configure a FlexConnect group, specifies the group name, indicates the action (vlan add), and finally, identifies the VLAN ID to be added.

Why the other options are incorrect:

• A. config flexconnect BranchA-FCG vlan 30 add: This syntax omits the keyword group, which is necessary to specify that you are modifying a FlexConnect group. Without it, the command is not valid.

• B. config flexconnect BranchA-FCG vlan add 30: Again, this lacks the group keyword and is missing the correct command structure. The controller will not recognize this format.

• C. config flexconnect group BranchA-FCG vlan 30 add: Although closer in format, this places the VLAN ID before the add keyword, which is syntactically incorrect. The command parser expects the vlan add keywords to come before the VLAN ID.

• D. config flexconnect group BranchA-FCG vlan add 30: This command follows the exact syntax required by the CLI: starting with config flexconnect group, followed by the group name, then specifying the action vlan add, and ending with the VLAN ID. It ensures that VLAN 30 will be added to all access points in the BranchA-FCG group.

This configuration step is critical because without it, the FlexConnect APs in the group won’t be aware of VLAN 30, which could result in client connectivity failures or improper VLAN tagging. Hence, the correct command to use is D.

Question 7:

A multinational company is using MPLS to link its offices worldwide. To enhance employee productivity, management has decided to enable wireless access at all locations. An engineer must configure the network to reduce the volume of traffic sent between Access Points (APs) and the central Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) while maintaining high connectivity standards. 

Which setup should be used to limit AP-WLC traffic and ensure reliable performance?

A. FlexConnect mode with central switching enabled
B. FlexConnect mode with central authentication
C. FlexConnect mode with OfficeExtend enabled
D. FlexConnect mode with local authentication

Correct Answer:  A

Explanation:

When supporting a global enterprise network connected via MPLS, minimizing latency and reducing unnecessary WAN traffic is essential for performance and user experience. Wireless traffic, if not optimized, can overwhelm the MPLS links, causing delays and bottlenecks—especially when data from remote Access Points (APs) is routed back to a central Wireless LAN Controller (WLC).

To address this, Cisco’s FlexConnect mode offers a valuable solution. In FlexConnect mode, APs retain their ability to be centrally managed while allowing some operations to occur locally. Specifically, enabling central switching allows client data traffic to be forwarded directly from the AP to the local LAN without tunneling everything back to the WLC.

Let’s analyze the options:

• A. FlexConnect mode with central switching enabled:
  This is the correct option. Here, APs use central control for configuration and policies but switch the actual data traffic locally. This hybrid method maintains control while minimizing the amount of traffic sent over the WAN to the WLC, effectively reducing delay and improving responsiveness.

• B. FlexConnect mode with central authentication:
  While central authentication ensures secure access using centralized credentials (like RADIUS servers), it doesn’t reduce ongoing traffic between the APs and the WLC. Only the initial authentication is handled centrally; data traffic still traverses the WAN.

• C. FlexConnect mode with OfficeExtend enabled:
  OfficeExtend is typically used for remote work scenarios where an AP at a user’s home connects to the corporate network securely. It’s not ideal for enterprise site-to-site setups and doesn't specifically optimize AP-to-WLC traffic flow.

• D. FlexConnect mode with local authentication:
  Local authentication allows APs to verify credentials independently, useful during WAN outages. However, this does not address the need to minimize data traffic to the central WLC; it only changes how authentication is handled.
  
  

In conclusion, for a geographically dispersed enterprise using MPLS, FlexConnect with central switching allows for centralized configuration and local traffic handling. This setup reduces WAN usage, improves latency, and enhances wireless user experience across all sites.

Question 8:

A remote employee using a Cisco Aironet 600 Series OfficeExtend Access Point (AP) requires access to the corporate network while being able to print to a local home printer. An engineer is configuring the Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) to support this functionality. 

What WLC configuration should be implemented to enable access to local printing resources without compromising secure corporate access?

A. Split tunneling
B. SE-connect
C. FlexConnect
D. AP failover priority

Correct Answer:  A

Explanation:

When configuring a remote access solution for teleworkers using the Cisco OfficeExtend architecture, the goal is to provide a seamless and secure connection to the enterprise network while allowing local services, such as printing, to function without disruption.

The feature that enables this dual-access capability is split tunneling. With split tunneling configured on the Wireless LAN Controller (WLC), traffic from the user is intelligently divided:

• Corporate-bound traffic is encrypted and tunneled through the AP back to the central WLC, ensuring compliance and secure access to internal applications.

• Local traffic, such as access to a home printer or IoT device, remains on the local network and is not tunneled through the corporate infrastructure.
  
  

This dual-path approach reduces unnecessary bandwidth consumption on the VPN and enhances user experience by allowing local resources to remain accessible.

Let’s break down the answer choices:

• A. Split tunneling:
  This is the correct answer. By enabling split tunneling, the engineer ensures that local services (e.g., a home printer) remain reachable without needing to send all traffic through the WLC. At the same time, corporate access remains secure and encrypted via the centralized VPN tunnel.

• B. SE-connect:
  SE-connect is used for secure enterprise connectivity but doesn’t manage traffic in the split fashion required for this use case. It doesn’t enable simultaneous access to local and remote networks.

• C. FlexConnect:
  FlexConnect is used to locally switch wireless traffic at branch or remote offices but isn’t designed for home setups like OfficeExtend. It doesn’t solve the issue of accessing local printers from a remote AP context.

• D. AP failover priority:
  This setting determines which APs take over if a failure occurs. It’s related to redundancy and uptime but has no relevance to allowing access to local home devices.

In summary, split tunneling provides the ideal balance of secure enterprise access and local network usability. For remote workers who require both, enabling this feature on the WLC is the best solution.

Question 9:

A network engineer is configuring a Cisco Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) to accommodate Cisco Aironet 600 Series OfficeExtend Access Points (APs) for remote users. 

To ensure secure wireless access at Layer 2, which two security methods are supported and appropriate for use with these OfficeExtend APs? (Select two.)

A. Static WEP combined with 802.1X
B. WPA and WPA2
C. Static WEP
D. Cisco Key Integrity Protocol (CKIP)
E. 802.1X

Correct Answers: B, E

Explanation:

When deploying Cisco Aironet 600 Series OfficeExtend Access Points (APs) in remote or home office environments, ensuring secure wireless communication is a top priority. These APs connect to a centralized Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) over a secure tunnel, allowing organizations to extend corporate wireless services to remote users while maintaining consistent policies and security. One of the most critical elements in this setup is implementing strong Layer 2 security to protect wireless communications between the AP and client devices.

Two of the most robust and widely supported Layer 2 security mechanisms for OfficeExtend APs are WPA+WPA2 and 802.1X:

B. WPA+WPA2 – These are standard wireless encryption protocols offering strong protection. WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) and WPA2 use dynamic encryption keys, with WPA2 employing AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) encryption for enhanced security. WPA2 is currently the industry standard for wireless encryption. These protocols are not only secure but also supported by a wide range of devices, making them ideal for remote deployments such as OfficeExtend. The OfficeExtend architecture allows the secure tunnel between the AP and the WLC to carry encrypted wireless traffic, and using WPA2 ensures that traffic remains protected over the air between the AP and the end device.

E. 802.1X – This is a network access control protocol that authenticates users or devices before they can connect to the network. When used with a RADIUS server, 802.1X provides centralized authentication, dynamic key management, and user-based access policies. It's particularly useful in enterprise environments where administrators need tight control over who connects to the network, even remotely. OfficeExtend APs fully support 802.1X, and when used with WPA2-Enterprise, this setup provides enterprise-grade security.

On the other hand, the remaining options are either deprecated or not suitable for OfficeExtend environments:

• A. Static WEP + 802.1X is outdated and insecure. WEP encryption is easily broken, and pairing it with 802.1X does not mitigate its weaknesses. This combination is not supported for secure deployments.

• C. Static WEP is a legacy protocol that has been deprecated due to severe vulnerabilities. It should never be used in modern wireless deployments, including OfficeExtend scenarios.

• D. CKIP (Cisco Key Integrity Protocol) was a proprietary solution developed by Cisco but has been phased out in favor of open, more secure standards like WPA2. It is not supported for modern APs like the Aironet 600 series.

In summary, when configuring Cisco Aironet 600 Series OfficeExtend APs, WPA+WPA2 and 802.1X are the only two viable Layer 2 security options. They provide the necessary encryption and authentication mechanisms to safeguard user connections, even across potentially insecure remote locations.

Question 10:

An engineer is troubleshooting a wireless client that is unable to roam between access points within a mobility group. After reviewing the configuration, the engineer notices that the mobility group name is correctly configured on all controllers, but the client still gets disconnected during roaming.

Which configuration issue is most likely causing this problem?

A. The RF group name is mismatched between controllers.
B. The APs are using different WLAN SSIDs.
C. The mobility peers are not added to each WLC.
D. The APs are operating on non-overlapping channels.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

In Cisco wireless environments, seamless client roaming between access points managed by different Wireless LAN Controllers (WLCs) requires a properly configured mobility group. A mobility group is a set of WLCs that share mobility information with each other to allow clients to roam without session interruption.

In the scenario described, although the mobility group name is correctly set on all controllers, the client still experiences disconnections during roaming. This indicates that while the group is logically defined, the mobility peer configuration might be incomplete.

Each controller within a mobility group must have the IP address and MAC address of its peer WLCs added manually in the mobility list. This is crucial because it allows the controllers to exchange client session information, enabling Layer 3 roaming and context-aware handoffs. Without this peer relationship, controllers cannot transfer client state information, and the client must reauthenticate, causing temporary disconnection.

Let’s examine the other options:

• A. The RF group name primarily affects RRM (Radio Resource Management) functions such as dynamic channel and power adjustments. It does not directly impact client roaming.

• B. For roaming to occur, the WLAN SSID must be identical across access points. However, the question does not indicate different SSIDs, and SSID mismatch would likely prevent association altogether, not just roaming issues.

• D. While using non-overlapping channels is a best practice for minimizing interference, it does not impact the roaming mechanism itself, which is more about client association and controller coordination.

Therefore, the most likely cause of the roaming failure is that mobility peer information was not configured on the controllers, even though the mobility group name matches. To resolve this, the engineer should add each WLC as a peer on all others in the group using their IP and MAC addresses.