With a switch port issue and a change management policy in place, what troubleshooting step is most appropriate to minimize disruption?

• A. Execute an immediate hardware replacement
• B. Establish a plan for resolving the problem
• C. Disable all ports on the switch
• D. Rollback to a known good configuration without a plan

Answer: (B)

When a change management policy is in place, the most appropriate step is to plan how to resolve the problem before taking action. Establishing a plan for resolving the issue aligns with best practices for controlled changes: it ensures you identify what will be changed, who approves it, what the potential impacts are, and how you will test and verify the fix. A well-defined plan also includes a rollback strategy in case the change introduces new problems, a maintenance window to minimize disruption, and clear communication with stakeholders who rely on or are affected by the switch.

This approach minimizes downtime and avoids unnecessary risk. Jumping straight to a hardware replacement can bypass approvals and fail to consider broader impacts. Disabling all ports is overly disruptive and not targeted to the problem. Rolling back without a plan lacks documentation and a controlled path, which can lead to repeat issues or unintended consequences.