Question 1hardmultiple choice
Full question →hardmultiple choiceObjective-mapped
An administrator wants to permit SSH management access but block Telnet access to a device. Which statement best reflects that design goal?
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
SSH is preferred because it provides encrypted remote administration, unlike Telnet
This is correct because SSH protects management traffic with encryption, while Telnet sends it in clear text.
B
Distractor review
Telnet is preferred because it provides stronger confidentiality than SSH
This is wrong because Telnet does not provide stronger confidentiality. It is less secure because it is unencrypted.
C
Distractor review
SSH can be used only on Layer 2 switches and not routers
This is wrong because SSH is widely used on both routers and switches.
D
Distractor review
Blocking Telnet automatically disables all AAA functions
This is wrong because disabling Telnet does not automatically disable AAA mechanisms.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A frequent exam trap is believing that blocking Telnet disables all AAA functions or management access. Candidates might confuse protocol-level access control with authentication mechanisms. In reality, AAA operates independently of whether Telnet or SSH is enabled. Disabling Telnet only removes the insecure, unencrypted access method but does not affect the device’s ability to authenticate users or manage sessions via SSH. Misunderstanding this can lead to incorrect answers that conflate protocol security with authentication services.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
Secure remote management of Cisco devices is critical for maintaining network integrity and confidentiality. SSH (Secure Shell) is a protocol that encrypts all management traffic, including usernames, passwords, and session data, preventing eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks. Unlike Telnet, which sends data in plaintext, SSH uses cryptographic techniques to secure communication channels, making it the preferred method for remote device access in modern networks. When designing secure network management, administrators must explicitly permit SSH access while blocking Telnet to enforce encryption. Cisco devices support SSH on both routers and switches, requiring configuration of RSA key pairs and enabling the SSH server feature. Blocking Telnet access does not affect AAA services, which continue to authenticate and authorize users independently. This separation ensures that disabling insecure protocols does not compromise overall device security policies. A common exam trap is assuming that disabling Telnet disables all authentication or management access, which is incorrect. Telnet and SSH are separate protocols, and AAA functions operate independently of the transport protocol used. Practically, network engineers must verify that SSH is correctly configured and accessible before disabling Telnet to avoid losing remote management capabilities. This approach aligns with Cisco’s security best practices and is a foundational concept tested in the CCNA exam.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- SSH encrypts management traffic, ensuring confidentiality and integrity for remote device administration over insecure networks.
- Telnet transmits data, including credentials, in clear text, making it vulnerable to interception and unauthorized access.
- Cisco devices prefer SSH over Telnet for secure remote management to comply with security best practices and industry standards.
- Blocking Telnet access does not disable AAA (Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting) functions on Cisco devices.
- SSH is supported on both routers and switches, enabling encrypted remote access across various Cisco network devices.
- Enabling SSH requires proper configuration of device host keys and user authentication methods to secure management sessions.
- Network administrators should disable Telnet to reduce attack surfaces and prevent exposure of sensitive management information.
- Secure management protocols like SSH are fundamental to network hardening and protecting device control planes from compromise.
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.
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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?
SSH encrypts management traffic, ensuring confidentiality and integrity for remote device administration over insecure networks.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: SSH is preferred because it provides encrypted remote administration, unlike Telnet — Permitting SSH while blocking Telnet is a hardening decision based on the fact that SSH encrypts management traffic and Telnet does not. In plain language, the administrator wants remote access to remain available, but wants credentials and session data protected while they cross the network. That is why SSH is preferred and Telnet is generally disabled in modern secure designs. This is not about eliminating management access. It is about choosing the safer management protocol. Cisco exam items often use this contrast because it is foundational: Telnet is convenient but insecure, whereas SSH is the normal secure replacement. The correct answer is the one that recognizes encryption as the reason for preferring SSH over Telnet.
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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