- A
Verify IP connectivity between the client and the switch by issuing a ping from the client to the switch.
Why wrong: A key exchange failure indicates the SSH handshake reached the switch, so Layer 3 connectivity is already working. Pinging wastes time and does not resolve the cryptographic misconfiguration.
- B
Check the SSH client configuration on the host to ensure it accepts 1024-bit keys.
Why wrong: The client’s requirement is already documented as requiring 2048-bit keys; adjusting the client to accept weaker keys would reduce security and may not be possible. The server side needs to meet the client’s requirement.
- C
Regenerate the RSA key pair on the switch with a 2048-bit modulus using the command 'crypto key generate rsa modulus 2048'.
Regenerating the key pair with a higher modulus directly resolves the key-strength mismatch. The switch will then present a 2048-bit key during the SSH handshake, fixing the key exchange error. The existing 'ip ssh version 2' setting remains active after rekeying.
- D
Disable SSH version 2 on the switch and revert to SSH version 1, which does not enforce key length restrictions.
Why wrong: SSH version 1 is deprecated and insecure. The client explicitly requires SSH version 2, so downgrading the protocol would break compatibility entirely while introducing security vulnerabilities.
Quick Answer
The correct next step is to regenerate the RSA key pair on the switch with a 2048-bit modulus using the command 'crypto key generate rsa modulus 2048'. This resolves the key exchange error because the SSH client enforces a minimum 2048-bit RSA key for SSH version 2, and the existing 1024-bit key is too small to meet that security requirement. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of SSH key size compatibility as a Layer 7 application misconfiguration—a common trap is assuming that enabling SSH version 2 alone is sufficient, when in fact the modulus size must also match the client’s policy. Remember that modern SSH clients often reject 1024-bit keys as insecure, so always verify the required RSA key size before generating keys. A helpful memory tip: “2048 is the new 1024 for SSH v2 security.”
CCNA Network Services and Security Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of network services and security. 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.
After securing a switch by running 'ip ssh version 2' and generating RSA keys with 'crypto key generate rsa modulus 1024', remote SSH connections fail with a 'key exchange error'. A check of the SSH client’s documentation reveals it requires a minimum 2048-bit RSA key for SSH version 2. What should the technician do next?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"minimum / minimize"Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
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
Regenerate the RSA key pair on the switch with a 2048-bit modulus using the command 'crypto key generate rsa modulus 2048'.
The 'key exchange error' occurs because the 1024-bit RSA key does not meet the client’s 2048-bit minimum requirement for SSH version 2. The immediate corrective step is to regenerate the RSA keys with a 2048-bit modulus using the 'crypto key generate rsa modulus 2048' command, which will produce a larger key pair while preserving the existing SSH version 2 configuration. This addresses the Layer 7 application misconfiguration directly.
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.
- ✗
Verify IP connectivity between the client and the switch by issuing a ping from the client to the switch.
Why it's wrong here
A key exchange failure indicates the SSH handshake reached the switch, so Layer 3 connectivity is already working. Pinging wastes time and does not resolve the cryptographic misconfiguration.
- ✗
Check the SSH client configuration on the host to ensure it accepts 1024-bit keys.
Why it's wrong here
The client’s requirement is already documented as requiring 2048-bit keys; adjusting the client to accept weaker keys would reduce security and may not be possible. The server side needs to meet the client’s requirement.
- ✓
Regenerate the RSA key pair on the switch with a 2048-bit modulus using the command 'crypto key generate rsa modulus 2048'.
Why this is correct
Regenerating the key pair with a higher modulus directly resolves the key-strength mismatch. The switch will then present a 2048-bit key during the SSH handshake, fixing the key exchange error. The existing 'ip ssh version 2' setting remains active after rekeying.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Disable SSH version 2 on the switch and revert to SSH version 1, which does not enforce key length restrictions.
Why it's wrong here
SSH version 1 is deprecated and insecure. The client explicitly requires SSH version 2, so downgrading the protocol would break compatibility entirely while introducing security vulnerabilities.
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.
✓Regenerate the RSA key pair on the switch with a 2048-bit modulus using the command 'crypto key generate rsa modulus 2048'.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
Regenerating the key pair with a higher modulus directly resolves the key-strength mismatch. The switch will then present a 2048-bit key during the SSH handshake, fixing the key exchange error. The existing 'ip ssh version 2' setting remains active after rekeying.
✗Verify IP connectivity between the client and the switch by issuing a ping from the client to the switch.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Assuming that a connection failure always starts at Layer 1 or 3, ignoring the specific error message that points to an application-layer mismatch.
✗Check the SSH client configuration on the host to ensure it accepts 1024-bit keys.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Misplaced troubleshooting – attempting to relax security instead of fixing the server’s key size to meet the documented standard.
✗Disable SSH version 2 on the switch and revert to SSH version 1, which does not enforce key length restrictions.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Drastic and insecure step that misdiagnoses the root cause; the issue is key size, not protocol version.
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.
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.
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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Network Services and Security — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
Network Services and Security — This question tests Network Services and Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Regenerate the RSA key pair on the switch with a 2048-bit modulus using the command 'crypto key generate rsa modulus 2048'. — The 'key exchange error' occurs because the 1024-bit RSA key does not meet the client’s 2048-bit minimum requirement for SSH version 2. The immediate corrective step is to regenerate the RSA keys with a 2048-bit modulus using the 'crypto key generate rsa modulus 2048' command, which will produce a larger key pair while preserving the existing SSH version 2 configuration. This addresses the Layer 7 application misconfiguration directly.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 14, 2026
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.
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