Question 1hardmultiple choice
Full question →hardmultiple choiceObjective-mapped
Which statement best describes why administrative access should ideally come from a dedicated management subnet rather than from general user subnets?
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
It limits and clarifies the trusted source space for administrative access.
This is correct because dedicated management subnets make access-control and monitoring easier and safer.
B
Distractor review
It automatically encrypts management traffic without SSH.
This is wrong because source segmentation does not replace transport security.
C
Distractor review
It eliminates the need for AAA.
This is wrong because segmentation does not replace authentication, authorization, and accounting.
D
Distractor review
It turns all management traffic into Layer 2 switching traffic only.
This is wrong because the subnet choice does not change the traffic into a different protocol family.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common exam trap is to assume that placing administrative access on a dedicated management subnet automatically encrypts the management traffic or eliminates the need for AAA. Some candidates mistakenly believe that segmentation alone provides full security. However, segmentation only restricts where management traffic can originate; it does not provide encryption or authentication. This misunderstanding can lead to selecting incorrect answers that confuse subnetting with transport security or AAA functions. Remember, segmentation is a foundational security practice but must be combined with protocols like SSH and AAA to secure administrative access properly.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
Administrative access to network devices should ideally originate from a dedicated management subnet to enhance security and operational control. This subnet is a logically isolated segment of the network designed exclusively for management traffic, separating it from general user data traffic. By doing so, network administrators can apply specific access control lists (ACLs), monitor traffic more effectively, and reduce the attack surface exposed to unauthorized users. The decision to use a dedicated management subnet is based on the principle of source restriction and segmentation. When administrative access is limited to a known, controlled subnet, it becomes easier to enforce security policies such as firewall rules and ACLs that only permit management protocols like SSH or SNMP from trusted IP ranges. This approach also simplifies troubleshooting and auditing because management traffic is confined to a predictable path, reducing the risk of accidental or malicious access from general user subnets. A common exam trap is to confuse subnet segmentation with encryption or AAA services. While a dedicated management subnet restricts the source of administrative access, it does not inherently provide encryption or replace authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) mechanisms. Practical network design requires combining segmentation with secure protocols like SSH and robust AAA configurations to ensure comprehensive security. Understanding this distinction is critical for correctly answering CCNA questions on administrative access security.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- A dedicated management subnet limits the trusted source IP space for administrative access, enhancing network security by reducing exposure.
- Access control lists (ACLs) can be more effectively applied when management traffic originates from a specific, isolated subnet.
- Segmentation of management traffic simplifies monitoring and auditing by confining administrative access to a predictable network segment.
- Using a dedicated management subnet does not replace the need for secure transport protocols such as SSH for encrypting management traffic.
- Segmentation alone cannot substitute for AAA services, which are essential for authenticating and authorizing administrative users.
- Restricting administrative access to a management subnet supports the principle of least privilege by limiting access sources.
- Network devices often support management VLANs or subnets specifically designed to separate management traffic from user data traffic.
- Effective network security combines subnet segmentation with encryption and AAA to protect administrative access comprehensively.
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?
A dedicated management subnet limits the trusted source IP space for administrative access, enhancing network security by reducing exposure.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: It limits and clarifies the trusted source space for administrative access. — A dedicated management subnet reduces exposure by limiting where administrative access is expected to originate. In practical terms, it is easier to control, monitor, and filter trusted management traffic when it comes from a smaller, well-defined part of the network rather than from broad user space. This supports both security and operational clarity. This is a source-restriction and segmentation principle, not just an addressing preference.
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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