Which database must be deleted to prevent network settings persisting on a reused switch?

N10-008 By islever Editorial Last updated

Short answer

C ARP

Question

A company is sending a switch to a remote site to be reused. An administrator needs to move the switch and ensure no network settings persist. Which of the following databases does the administrator need to delete?
  1. VLAN
  2. STP
  3. ARP Correct Answer
  4. Trunking

Key Takeaways

This question tests your ability to differentiate between persistent switch databases and volatile caches; the trap is confusing ARP cache (RAM) with the VLAN database (NVRAM/flash).

When moving a switch to a remote site, the VLAN database (vlan.dat) must be deleted to prevent old network settings from persisting. Community consensus from CompTIA Network+ N10-008 candidates favors A (VLAN) over C (ARP), since ARP cache is dynamic and rebuilt automatically.

Common mistake: The most common wrong answer is ARP (C), likely because candidates see 'network settings' and immediately think of IP-to-MAC mappings. However, ARP cache is temporary and does not persist when the switch is powered off, so it is not a database that requires deletion.

Expert Analysis

Why the Answer Is Correct

VLAN configurations are stored in a persistent database (vlan.dat) on Cisco switches. Without deleting this database, the switch retains all previous VLAN definitions, which could conflict with the remote site's network design. The administrator can delete the VLAN database with the delete vlan.dat command or by using write erase followed by a full reset.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

B. STP (Spanning Tree Protocol) is a Layer 2 protocol, not a database; changing the network triggers STP recalculation automatically. C. ARP cache is held in RAM and is rebuilt as the switch learns new IP-to-MAC mappings, so there is no need to delete a persistent ARP database. D. Trunking is an interface property (e.g., switchport mode trunk) that is cleared when the switch's startup configuration is erased, but it is not a separate database.

Community Comment Notes

Several commenters correctly noted that ARP does not contain permanent settings and will be regenerated on the new network (comment 3), while others explicitly identified the VLAN database as the required deletion (comments 4 and 5). The initial vote split (55% C vs 45% A) shows how easily test-takers confuse a dynamic cache with a persistent database, but the correct CompTIA answer is A, VLAN.

Official Reference

These links open the official vendor documentation in a new tab.

Exam Strategy

Look for the word 'database' on switch questions — it almost always points to persistent stored configuration like VLAN or startup-config, not dynamic caches like ARP. When in doubt, ask yourself: will this setting survive a power cycle? If not, it doesn't need to be deleted for a move.

Community Votes

C
55%
A
45%

55% of anonymous learners picked answer C. Votes are pick records left by other test-takers — they are not the verified answer.

Discussion 8 contributions

Compiled from public community threads and reader submissions, lightly edited for clarity. Handles and vote tallies are shown as recorded, and comments reflect the views of individual contributors.

From public community threads 8

  1. subaie503 👍 7 Answered C
    A. VLAN: The administrator should delete VLAN information to ensure that no previous VLAN configurations are retained. C. ARP: The ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) cache should be cleared to prevent any lingering network settings from affecting the new location.
  2. Bunaventi 👍 4 Answered C
    C. ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) When reusing a switch at a remote site and wanting to ensure that no network settings persist, the administrator should delete the ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) cache. ARP maintains a mapping between IP addresses and MAC addresses in a table, and clearing the ARP cache helps prevent any potential conflicts or issues when connecting the switch to a new network. Options A (VLAN), B (STP), and D (Trunking) are not databases but rather configuration settings that may need attention depending on the specific requirements of the new network. Deleting VLAN configurations, spanning tree protocol settings, or trunking configurations may be necessary, but they are not referred to as databases.
  3. Sarmad_Mansour 👍 3 Answered A
    A. VLAN When a switch is being reused at a remote site and the administrator wants to ensure that no network settings persist, they need to delete the VLAN database. This ensures that any VLAN configurations previously set on the switch are removed, allowing it to be reconfigured according to the requirements of the new site without any remnants of the previous network settings.
  4. Y2 👍 3 Answered A
    ARP doesnt hold any permanent network settings. Once the switch is powered on at the new location, it will rebuild the ARP cache based on the new network environment. VLAN is a clear answer imo
  5. DerekM 👍 1
    ARP maintains a mapping between IP addresses and MAC addresses on a local network. When a switch is moved to a new location, ARP entries associated with the old network settings may persist. Deleting the ARP database ensures that stale mappings are removed, and the switch will perform fresh ARP resolution for devices on the new network. This prevents any connectivity issues due to outdated ARP entries.
Show 3 more comments
  1. Mamad66 👍 1 Answered A
    The correct answer is A. VLAN. The VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) database contains the network settings for each virtual network on the switch. Deleting this will ensure that no previous network settings persist when the switch is reused.
  2. Biancoega10 👍 1 Answered A
    Vlan configuration
  3. huradazimi 👍 1 Answered A
    A. VLAN

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