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CCNA · 200-301Intermediate

Inter-VLAN Routing: SVI Down

An SVI stays down/down even though it's configured correctly. Diagnose why and restore inter-VLAN routing yourself, live, right below.

Interactive simSwitchingInter-VLAN Routing

Symptom

VLANs exist and trunks are up, but hosts cannot reach their gateway. Find why the SVI is down and restore inter-VLAN routing.

Your mission

Prove the cause, then fix it

Format

Guided CLI investigation

Start interactive labSee the investigation plan ↓Need a hint? Reveal the root cause ↓
Inter-VLAN Routing: SVI Down

Investigate before you configure.

Use the CLI evidence to isolate the fault, make the smallest safe correction, then verify the network state changed.

Observe the symptom and link state.

Diagnose by comparing the protocol evidence.

Verify the expected device state and confirm the original symptom is resolved.

Console access: MLS-1

This workspace stacks for portrait phones. Rotate to landscape for the full split-screen console.

Need a hint?

Reveal the root cause when you're ready.

Try the investigation first, then use this as your escape hatch, not a dead end.

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Lab debrief

Turn the session into a repeatable troubleshooting pattern.

Use this reference after your attempt: first explain the symptom, then verify the evidence, then confirm the repair.

The problem

Clients in VLAN 30 cannot reach their default gateway. The multilayer switch has the correct SVI address, but the SVI remains down/down because no active access or trunk port carries VLAN 30.

What you'll practice

  • Read SVI status
  • Verify VLAN existence and port membership
  • Understand SVI operational dependencies
  • Confirm inter-VLAN routing

The topology

A multilayer switch provides gateways for multiple user VLANs; VLAN 30 is absent from the live switching path.

Commands to run yourself

The real diagnostic commands for this lab, copy-paste ready. Run these in the same order to reproduce the investigation on your own session.

Check VLAN interfaces
show ip interface brief
Check VLAN membership
show vlan brief
Check trunk VLAN allowance
show interfaces trunk
Inter-VLAN routing: SVI downMLS-1 provides gateways for VLAN 10, 20 and 30; VLAN 30 has no active Layer 2 port.MLS-1multilayer switchVlan10 up/upVlan20 up/upVlan30 down/downPort membershipEt0/1 → VLAN 10 (up)Et0/2 → VLAN 20 (up)Et0/3 → VLAN 1 (unused)Check which ports carry which VLAN.Compare SVI status against VLAN membership and trunk-allowed VLANs.

Frequently asked

Why is the SVI down if its IP address is configured correctly?

An SVI's line protocol depends on at least one Layer 2 port, access or trunk-allowed, actively carrying that VLAN somewhere on the switch. A correctly addressed SVI still reports down/down with no such port.

Ready to run this lab yourself?

No setup, no image sourcing. Book a session or ask for a live demo.

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