Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
Which statement best explains why SSH is preferred over Telnet for remote administration?
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 encrypts the management session, while Telnet does not
This is correct because SSH protects credentials and session data with encryption.
B
Distractor review
Telnet is preferred because it is more secure than SSH
This is wrong because Telnet is less secure due to lack of encryption.
C
Distractor review
SSH removes the need for usernames and passwords
This is wrong because SSH does not remove authentication requirements.
D
Distractor review
Telnet is the required protocol for STP root election
This is wrong because STP root election has nothing to do with Telnet or SSH.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common exam trap is selecting Telnet as the preferred protocol because of its simplicity or familiarity, ignoring its lack of encryption. Candidates may also incorrectly believe that SSH removes the need for usernames and passwords, confusing encryption with authentication. Another trap is associating Telnet with unrelated network functions like STP root election, which is incorrect. These misconceptions can lead to choosing insecure options or misunderstanding protocol roles. The key is to focus on the security features of SSH, especially its encryption of management sessions, which Telnet lacks.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
Secure Shell (SSH) is a network protocol that provides encrypted communication for remote device management, protecting data such as usernames, passwords, and session information from interception. Unlike Telnet, which transmits data in clear text, SSH uses cryptographic techniques to secure the management session, ensuring confidentiality and integrity. This encryption is critical in modern networks where administrative access must be safeguarded against eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks. When choosing a remote management protocol, Cisco devices prefer SSH over Telnet because SSH authenticates users and encrypts all transmitted data. This means that credentials and commands are not exposed on the network, reducing the risk of credential theft or session hijacking. Telnet, by contrast, sends all information unencrypted, making it vulnerable to interception. Cisco’s IOS supports SSH configuration to replace Telnet for secure remote access, aligning with best practices for network security. A common exam trap is confusing SSH’s encryption benefits with unrelated protocol functions or assuming Telnet is more secure due to familiarity. Additionally, some may mistakenly believe SSH eliminates the need for authentication, which is false; SSH requires valid credentials. Practically, network administrators must always enable SSH and disable Telnet on Cisco devices to maintain secure administrative access, reflecting the CCNA emphasis on protecting management-plane traffic.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- SSH encrypts all remote management traffic, including credentials and session data, to prevent interception on the network.
- Telnet transmits management sessions in clear text, exposing sensitive information to potential attackers.
- Cisco devices prefer SSH over Telnet for remote administration due to SSH's support for secure authentication and encryption.
- SSH requires valid usernames and passwords for authentication, maintaining access control despite encrypting the session.
- Telnet is not involved in network protocols like STP root election and does not provide security features for management traffic.
- Enabling SSH and disabling Telnet on Cisco devices is a best practice to secure the management plane.
- The use of SSH aligns with CCNA security fundamentals by protecting administrative access from eavesdropping and credential theft.
- Understanding the difference between encrypted and unencrypted management protocols is essential for securing network devices.
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 all remote management traffic, including credentials and session data, to prevent interception on the network.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: SSH encrypts the management session, while Telnet does not — SSH is preferred because it encrypts remote administration traffic, including credentials and session data, while Telnet sends that information in clear text. In plain language, SSH helps protect administrative access from interception on the network. This makes it the safer and more modern choice for remote device management. This distinction is one of the most basic but important management-plane security lessons in CCNA. The goal is not to eliminate remote management but to perform it in a safer way. That is why the correct answer focuses on encryption and protection of remote sessions, not on unrelated behavior such as VLAN tagging or routing protocol participation.
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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