Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Practice Exam

What command is used to configure a Frame Relay interface with encapsulation?

1. (config)#interface INTERFACE

2. (config-if)#interface INTERFACE.SUB-INTERFACE

3. (config-if)#ip address IP ADDRESS AND SUBNET MASK

4. (config-if)#encapsulation frame-relay

The correct answer is: (config-if)#encapsulation frame-relay

The command to configure a Frame Relay interface with encapsulation is significant because it directly sets the encapsulation method for data being sent over the Frame Relay connection. The encapsulation frame-relay command specifies that the interface will use Frame Relay encapsulation, which is essential for ensuring that the data is formatted correctly for transmission across the Frame Relay network. When you're working with Frame Relay interfaces, it's crucial to convey to the router how to interpret the data arriving at or departing from that interface. By using the encapsulation frame-relay command, you instruct the router to prepare the data packets in a manner compatible with Frame Relay protocols, allowing for proper communication with connected devices and networks. Furthermore, while the other options relate to interface configuration, they do not specifically address the encapsulation method. Configuring the interface or assigning an IP address are important steps in setting up a network interface, but without specifying the encapsulation method, the interface would not function correctly in a Frame Relay environment. Not setting the encapsulation could lead to mismatched settings between devices and potential communication issues. Therefore, the encapsulation frame-relay command is key to establishing correct Frame Relay operations on an interface.