CCNA AI and Network Operations Practice Question
Network Topology
You are connected to R1. Configure SNMPv3 with authentication (SHA) and encryption (AES-128) for user 'monitor' in group 'AdminGroup', and also configure SNMPv2c read-only community string 'cisco123' to send traps to the management server at 192.0.2.100. Additionally, configure NetFlow on interface GigabitEthernet0/0 to export flow data to 198.51.100.50 using version 9. Verify your configuration using the appropriate show commands.
⚠ Common exam trap
Pay close attention to the exact security requirements: 'priv' for encryption, AES-128 specifically, and NetFlow version 9. The exam often tests subtle differences between 'auth' and 'priv' levels, encryption algorithms, and NetFlow versions.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
snmp-server group AdminGroup v3 priv read AdminView; snmp-server user monitor AdminGroup v3 auth sha cisco123 priv aes 128 cisco123; snmp-server community cisco123 ro; snmp-server host 192.0.2.100 traps version 2c cisco123; interface GigabitEthernet0/0; ip flow-export destination 198.51.100.50 9996; ip flow-export version 9; ip flow ingress
The configuration was missing SNMPv3 user, group, and trap settings. We added the SNMPv3 user 'monitor' with SHA authentication and AES-128 encryption, created a view and group 'AdminGroup' with read access, and configured the SNMPv2c community string 'cisco123' for read-only access. We also enabled SNMP traps to the manager at 192.0.2.100 and configured NetFlow on GigabitEthernet0/0 to export to 198.51.100.50 using version 9. Verification commands show the SNMP configuration and NetFlow flow cache.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
snmp-server group AdminGroup v3 priv read AdminView; snmp-server user monitor AdminGroup v3 auth sha cisco123 priv aes 128 cisco123; snmp-server community cisco123 ro; snmp-server host 192.0.2.100 traps version 2c cisco123; interface GigabitEthernet0/0; ip flow-export destination 198.51.100.50 9996; ip flow-export version 9; ip flow ingress
Why this is correct
This configuration correctly creates an SNMPv3 group with priv access, creates the user with SHA authentication and AES-128 encryption, sets the SNMPv2c read-only community, sends traps to the manager, and enables NetFlow version 9 on the interface. The verification commands would show the SNMP configuration and NetFlow flow cache.
- ✗
snmp-server group AdminGroup v3 auth read AdminView; snmp-server user monitor AdminGroup v3 auth sha cisco123 priv aes 128 cisco123; snmp-server community cisco123 ro; snmp-server host 192.0.2.100 traps version 2c cisco123; interface GigabitEthernet0/0; ip flow-export destination 198.51.100.50 9996; ip flow-export version 9; ip flow ingress
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because the SNMPv3 group is configured with 'auth' instead of 'priv'. The 'auth' keyword only requires authentication, not encryption. The question specifies both authentication (SHA) and encryption (AES-128), so the group must use 'priv' to allow encryption.
- ✗
snmp-server group AdminGroup v3 priv read AdminView; snmp-server user monitor AdminGroup v3 auth sha cisco123 priv des 56 cisco123; snmp-server community cisco123 ro; snmp-server host 192.0.2.100 traps version 2c cisco123; interface GigabitEthernet0/0; ip flow-export destination 198.51.100.50 9996; ip flow-export version 9; ip flow ingress
Why it's wrong here
This configuration fails because the SNMPv3 user is bound to DES (priv des 56) instead of the required AES-128 encryption. Although the group is correctly set to priv, the user-level 'priv' parameter specifies the encryption algorithm, and DES is a legacy, weaker cipher that does not meet the stated AES-128 requirement. In Cisco IOS, the correct syntax for AES-128 would be 'priv aes 128', ensuring the user's traffic is encrypted with the mandated standard.
- ✗
snmp-server group AdminGroup v3 priv read AdminView; snmp-server user monitor AdminGroup v3 auth sha cisco123 priv aes 128 cisco123; snmp-server community cisco123 ro; snmp-server host 192.0.2.100 traps version 2c cisco123; interface GigabitEthernet0/0; ip flow-export destination 198.51.100.50 9996; ip flow-export version 5; ip flow ingress
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because NetFlow export version is set to 5 instead of version 9. The question explicitly requires version 9. Version 5 is an older format that does not support flexible field definitions and templates.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The 200-301 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓snmp-server group AdminGroup v3 priv read AdminView; snmp-server user monitor AdminGroup v3 auth sha cisco123 priv aes 128 cisco123; snmp-server community cisco123 ro; snmp-server host 192.0.2.100 traps version 2c cisco123; interface GigabitEthernet0/0; ip flow-export destination 198.51.100.50 9996; ip flow-export version 9; ip flow ingressCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
This configuration correctly creates an SNMPv3 group with priv access, creates the user with SHA authentication and AES-128 encryption, sets the SNMPv2c read-only community, sends traps to the manager, and enables NetFlow version 9 on the interface. The verification commands would show the SNMP configuration and NetFlow flow cache.
✗snmp-server group AdminGroup v3 auth read AdminView; snmp-server user monitor AdminGroup v3 auth sha cisco123 priv aes 128 cisco123; snmp-server community cisco123 ro; snmp-server host 192.0.2.100 traps version 2c cisco123; interface GigabitEthernet0/0; ip flow-export destination 198.51.100.50 9996; ip flow-export version 9; ip flow ingressWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The group level 'auth' does not permit encryption; 'priv' is required for AES-128 encryption.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse 'auth' and 'priv' levels, thinking 'auth' includes encryption, but 'auth' only requires authentication, while 'priv' requires both authentication and encryption.
✗snmp-server group AdminGroup v3 priv read AdminView; snmp-server user monitor AdminGroup v3 auth sha cisco123 priv des 56 cisco123; snmp-server community cisco123 ro; snmp-server host 192.0.2.100 traps version 2c cisco123; interface GigabitEthernet0/0; ip flow-export destination 198.51.100.50 9996; ip flow-export version 9; ip flow ingressWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The encryption algorithm specified is DES (56-bit) instead of AES-128.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might default to DES because it is an older standard or confuse the encryption types. However, AES-128 is the specified requirement.
✗snmp-server group AdminGroup v3 priv read AdminView; snmp-server user monitor AdminGroup v3 auth sha cisco123 priv aes 128 cisco123; snmp-server community cisco123 ro; snmp-server host 192.0.2.100 traps version 2c cisco123; interface GigabitEthernet0/0; ip flow-export destination 198.51.100.50 9996; ip flow-export version 5; ip flow ingressWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
NetFlow export version is 5, not 9 as required.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may be more familiar with NetFlow version 5 or forget to specify version 9. Version 5 is still commonly used but does not meet the requirement.
Analysis generated from the official 200-301blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Quick reference
Symmetric Encryption Algorithm Comparison
| Algorithm | Key Size | Block Size | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AES-128 | 128-bit | 128-bit | Current standard | NIST approved; WPA3, TLS |
| AES-256 | 256-bit | 128-bit | Current standard | Preferred for sensitive / govt data |
| 3DES | 112-bit effective | 64-bit | Deprecated (2023) | Replaced by AES |
| DES | 56-bit | 64-bit | Broken | Cracked in < 24 h; never deploy |
| ChaCha20 | 256-bit | Stream cipher | Current | TLS 1.3, WireGuard |
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Network Management Approaches: Device, Cloud, Controller, Automation, and IaC
Key term
AES
AES is a fast and secure encryption standard used worldwide to protect sensitive data by scrambling it so only authorized parties can read it.
Key term
SNMP
SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) is an application-layer protocol used to collect and organize information about managed devices on IP networks and to modify that information to change device behavior.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 200-301 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-301 exam.