Question 1hardmultiple choice
Full question →hardmultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A device allows remote access, but the administrator wants stronger protection than plain usernames and passwords alone. Which statement best reflects that goal at a conceptual level?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Best answer
Use stronger or additional authentication controls to improve remote administrative access security
This is correct because the goal is to improve authentication strength rather than rely only on a weak single factor.
B
Distractor review
Replace SSH with Telnet so credentials are easier to troubleshoot
This is wrong because Telnet weakens management security by sending traffic in clear text.
C
Distractor review
Disable all authentication so administrators are never locked out
This is wrong because removing authentication undermines security.
D
Distractor review
Turn every access port into a trunk port
This is wrong because switch trunking is unrelated to stronger remote administrative authentication.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A frequent exam trap is selecting an option that suggests replacing SSH with Telnet to simplify troubleshooting. While Telnet may seem easier, it transmits credentials in clear text, severely weakening security. Another trap is thinking that disabling authentication prevents lockouts, but this removes all access control, exposing the device to unauthorized users. Candidates must avoid confusing port configurations, such as turning access ports into trunk ports, with authentication mechanisms, as these are unrelated concepts. The trap lies in misinterpreting the question’s focus on authentication strength and mistakenly choosing options that degrade security or address unrelated features.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
Remote administrative access to network devices requires robust authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized entry. Plain usernames and passwords represent a single-factor authentication method, which is vulnerable to interception, guessing, or brute-force attacks. Strengthening authentication involves implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) or stronger cryptographic methods to verify user identity beyond just a password. This approach enhances security by requiring additional proof, such as a token or biometric factor, making unauthorized access significantly more difficult. In Cisco networking and the CCNA 200-301 context, securing remote access commonly involves replacing insecure protocols like Telnet with SSH, which encrypts credentials and session data. Beyond encryption, administrators should deploy stronger authentication controls such as TACACS+ or RADIUS servers, or enable multi-factor authentication where supported. The decision process focuses on enhancing the authentication layer rather than disabling it or weakening it by using less secure protocols or removing authentication entirely. A common exam trap is confusing protocol choice with authentication strength. For example, switching from SSH to Telnet reduces encryption and security, which contradicts the goal of stronger protection. Similarly, disabling authentication to avoid lockouts undermines security principles. Practically, Cisco devices support multiple authentication methods, and understanding when to apply stronger or additional controls is critical for both exam success and real-world network security.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Strong remote administrative access requires authentication methods that go beyond simple username and password combinations to prevent unauthorized access.
- Cisco devices support secure protocols like SSH that encrypt credentials, which is essential for protecting remote management sessions.
- Multi-factor authentication adds an additional verification layer, significantly increasing the security of remote access to network devices.
- Disabling authentication removes all access control, which compromises device security and is never a recommended practice.
- Using insecure protocols such as Telnet exposes credentials in clear text, making remote access vulnerable to interception and attacks.
- Authentication controls like TACACS+ and RADIUS provide centralized and stronger authentication management for Cisco network devices.
- Changing switch port modes, such as turning access ports into trunk ports, does not affect authentication strength or remote access security.
- Effective security decisions focus on enhancing authentication mechanisms rather than simplifying or removing them to maintain device integrity.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Related practice questions
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More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A router learns the same prefix from both OSPF and EIGRP. Which route is installed by default?
Question 2
A router shows this output: R1#show ip ospf neighbor Neighbor ID Pri State Dead Time Address Interface 10.1.1.2 1 FULL/DR 00:00:34 192.168.12.2 GigabitEthernet0/0 10.1.1.3 1 2WAY/DROTHER 00:00:39 192.168.12.3 GigabitEthernet0/0 Which statement is correct?
Question 3
What is the OSPF metric called?
Question 4
A non-root switch has two uplinks toward the root bridge. One path has a lower total STP cost than the other. What role will the lower-cost uplink have?
Question 5
A router interface applies this ACL inbound: 10 deny tcp any any eq 80 20 permit ip any any A user reports that web browsing to a server by IP address fails, but ping works. Which statement best explains the behavior?
Question 6
A router learns route 198.51.100.0/24 from OSPF with AD 110 and also has a static route to the same prefix configured with AD 150. Which route is installed?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
Strong remote administrative access requires authentication methods that go beyond simple username and password combinations to prevent unauthorized access.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use stronger or additional authentication controls to improve remote administrative access security — The goal is to strengthen authentication beyond a single weak factor. In plain language, the administrator wants remote access to rely on better or additional forms of verification rather than depending only on something easy to steal or guess. At the CCNA level, this often appears as a conceptual security question rather than a detailed implementation blueprint. The correct answer is the one aligned with strengthening authentication and protecting access rather than weakening it.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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