- A
Enable SSH by configuring a hostname, domain name, generating RSA keys, creating local user 'admin' with password 'cisco123', and configuring VTY lines for SSH transport.
Why wrong: This option is wrong because it does not explicitly include 'login local' on the VTY lines. SSH with local authentication requires both 'transport input ssh' and 'login local'. Simply stating 'SSH transport' is insufficient without specifying local authentication.
- B
Enable SSH by configuring a hostname, generating RSA keys, creating local user 'admin' with password 'cisco123', and configuring VTY lines for SSH transport. No domain name is needed.
Why wrong: This option omits the domain name, which is required for generating RSA keys. Without a domain name, the 'crypto key generate rsa' command will fail.
- C
Enable SSH by configuring a hostname, domain name, generating RSA keys, creating local user 'admin' with password 'cisco123', and configuring VTY lines for Telnet transport.
Why wrong: This option uses Telnet transport instead of SSH. Telnet is unencrypted and does not meet the requirement for secure remote management.
- D
Enable SSH by configuring a hostname, domain name, generating RSA keys, creating local user 'admin' with password 'cisco123', and configuring VTY lines with 'login local' and 'transport input ssh'. No further configuration is needed.
This option correctly includes hostname, domain name, RSA key generation, local user creation, and VTY lines with both 'transport input ssh' and 'login local'. All steps are present, making it the correct configuration for SSH with local authentication.
Enable SSH on Cisco Router with Local User Authentication
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of network infrastructure and connectivity. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
You are connected to the console of R1. R1 is a new router that needs to be configured for remote management. The network administrator wants to enable SSH for secure access with a local user 'admin' and password 'cisco123'. The router already has an IP address 192.168.1.1/24 on GigabitEthernet0/0 and the interface is up.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to configure a hostname, domain name, generate RSA keys, create the local user 'admin' with password 'cisco123', and set the VTY lines with 'login local' and 'transport input ssh'. This sequence is essential because SSH on a Cisco router requires a unique hostname and domain name to generate the RSA key pair, which provides the encryption for the secure session, while the local user database handles authentication and the VTY lines restrict incoming traffic exclusively to SSH. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the complete SSH configuration workflow, often appearing as a multiple-choice question where common traps include forgetting the 'login local' command or the domain name, or mistakenly leaving Telnet enabled. A helpful memory tip is the acronym HDRLV: Hostname, Domain, RSA keys, Local user, VTY lines with 'login local' and 'transport input ssh'.
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
Enable SSH by configuring a hostname, domain name, generating RSA keys, creating local user 'admin' with password 'cisco123', and configuring VTY lines with 'login local' and 'transport input ssh'. No further configuration is needed.
To enable SSH with local authentication, the router requires a unique hostname, an IP domain name, RSA keys, a local username/password, and VTY lines configured with both 'transport input ssh' and 'login local'. Option D correctly includes all these elements. Option A is incorrect because it only mentions 'SSH transport' but does not explicitly include the 'login local' command on the VTY lines, which is necessary to use the local username database for authentication. Option B is missing the domain name, which is required for RSA key generation. Option C uses Telnet transport, which is unsecure and not SSH. Therefore, D is the correct answer.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Enable SSH by configuring a hostname, domain name, generating RSA keys, creating local user 'admin' with password 'cisco123', and configuring VTY lines for SSH transport.
Why it's wrong here
This option is wrong because it does not explicitly include 'login local' on the VTY lines. SSH with local authentication requires both 'transport input ssh' and 'login local'. Simply stating 'SSH transport' is insufficient without specifying local authentication.
When this WOULD be correct
This knowledge applies when setting up secure remote management on Cisco routers, ensuring encrypted access instead of Telnet.
- ✗
Enable SSH by configuring a hostname, generating RSA keys, creating local user 'admin' with password 'cisco123', and configuring VTY lines for SSH transport. No domain name is needed.
Why it's wrong here
This option omits the domain name, which is required for generating RSA keys. Without a domain name, the 'crypto key generate rsa' command will fail.
- ✗
Enable SSH by configuring a hostname, domain name, generating RSA keys, creating local user 'admin' with password 'cisco123', and configuring VTY lines for Telnet transport.
- ✓
Enable SSH by configuring a hostname, domain name, generating RSA keys, creating local user 'admin' with password 'cisco123', and configuring VTY lines with 'login local' and 'transport input ssh'. No further configuration is needed.
Why this is correct
This option correctly includes hostname, domain name, RSA key generation, local user creation, and VTY lines with both 'transport input ssh' and 'login local'. All steps are present, making it the correct configuration for SSH with local authentication.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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.
✓Enable SSH by configuring a hostname, domain name, generating RSA keys, creating local user 'admin' with password 'cisco123', and configuring VTY lines with 'login local' and 'transport input ssh'. No further configuration is needed.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
This option correctly includes hostname, domain name, RSA key generation, local user creation, and VTY lines with both 'transport input ssh' and 'login local'. All steps are present, making it the correct configuration for SSH with local authentication.
✗Enable SSH by configuring a hostname, domain name, generating RSA keys, creating local user 'admin' with password 'cisco123', and configuring VTY lines for SSH transport.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
It omits 'login local', so the VTY lines will not prompt for the local user 'admin'.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
This knowledge applies when setting up secure remote management on Cisco routers, ensuring encrypted access instead of Telnet.
✗Enable SSH by configuring a hostname, generating RSA keys, creating local user 'admin' with password 'cisco123', and configuring VTY lines for SSH transport. No domain name is needed.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error is that the domain name is mandatory for RSA key generation; omitting it will prevent SSH from being enabled.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think the domain name is optional because they confuse it with Telnet or assume the hostname alone is sufficient.
✗Enable SSH by configuring a hostname, domain name, generating RSA keys, creating local user 'admin' with password 'cisco123', and configuring VTY lines for Telnet transport.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error is that the transport input must be set to 'ssh' or 'all' to allow SSH; 'telnet' does not permit SSH connections.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might confuse the transport input command or think Telnet is acceptable since it's also a remote access method.
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?”
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
This option omits the domain name, which is required for generating RSA keys. Without a domain name, the 'crypto key generate rsa' command will fail.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 200-301 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Quick reference
Asymmetric Encryption Algorithm Comparison
| Algorithm | Key Exchange | Signatures | Equivalent Security Key | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RSA-3072 | Yes | Yes | 128-bit | Widely deployed; slow for bulk data |
| ECDSA P-256 | No | Yes | 128-bit | Fast signatures; standard TLS certs |
| ECDH / ECDHE | Yes | No | 128-bit | Perfect forward secrecy in TLS 1.3 |
| DH / DHE | Yes | No | 128-bit (3072-bit key) | Replaced by ECDHE in modern TLS |
| Ed25519 | No | Yes | ~128-bit | SSH keys, modern PKI |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which 200-301 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
Network Infrastructure and Connectivity — This question tests Network Infrastructure and Connectivity — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable SSH by configuring a hostname, domain name, generating RSA keys, creating local user 'admin' with password 'cisco123', and configuring VTY lines with 'login local' and 'transport input ssh'. No further configuration is needed. — To enable SSH with local authentication, the router requires a unique hostname, an IP domain name, RSA keys, a local username/password, and VTY lines configured with both 'transport input ssh' and 'login local'. Option D correctly includes all these elements. Option A is incorrect because it only mentions 'SSH transport' but does not explicitly include the 'login local' command on the VTY lines, which is necessary to use the local username database for authentication. Option B is missing the domain name, which is required for RSA key generation. Option C uses Telnet transport, which is unsecure and not SSH. Therefore, D is the correct answer.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Identify which 200-301 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on 200-301
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. You are connected to R1 via the console. R1 is a new router that needs to be configured with a hostname, an encrypted privileged password 'cisco123', and a banner message 'Unauthorized access prohibited'. Additionally, SSH must be enabled for remote management using a domain name 'example.com' and a key size of 1024. The management interface is G0/0 with IP 192.168.1.1/24.
medium- A.hostname R1 enable secret cisco123 banner motd #Unauthorized access prohibited# ip domain-name example.com crypto key generate rsa modulus 1024 line vty 0 4 transport input ssh login local interface g0/0 ip address 192.168.1.1 255.255.255.0 no shutdown
- B.hostname R1 enable password cisco123 banner motd #Unauthorized access prohibited# ip domain-name example.com crypto key generate rsa modulus 1024 line vty 0 4 transport input ssh password cisco123 login interface g0/0 ip address 192.168.1.1 255.255.255.0 no shutdown
- C.hostname R1 enable secret cisco123 banner motd #Unauthorized access prohibited# ip domain-name example.com crypto key generate rsa modulus 1024 line vty 0 4 transport input ssh password cisco123 login local interface g0/0 ip address 192.168.1.1 255.255.255.0 no shutdown
- ✓ D.hostname R1 enable secret cisco123 banner motd #Unauthorized access prohibited# ip domain-name example.com crypto key generate rsa modulus 1024 line vty 0 4 transport input ssh login local username admin secret cisco123 interface g0/0 ip address 192.168.1.1 255.255.255.0 no shutdown
Why D: Option D is correct because it includes all required commands: hostname, enable secret (encrypted), banner motd, ip domain-name, crypto key, line vty with transport input ssh and login local, and a local user 'admin' with secret. The stem requires an encrypted privileged password (enable secret) and SSH, but SSH login local needs a local user. Option A lacks the username command, so SSH login would fail. Option B uses unencrypted enable password and incorrect VTY authentication. Option C has both password and login local, which is contradictory. Option D is the only complete configuration.
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Last reviewed: Jun 7, 2026
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