Which two statements accurately describe the value of source restriction on administrative access?
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.
Best answer
It reduces the set of network locations from which administrative access is allowed.
This is correct because source restriction narrows exposure.
Best answer
It can make access monitoring and filtering easier to manage.
This is correct because a smaller trusted source space is easier to control and observe.
Distractor review
It removes the need for SSH or other secure transports.
This is wrong because source restriction does not replace transport security.
Distractor review
It makes logging unnecessary.
This is wrong because visibility is still valuable.
Distractor review
It can be used only for wireless management.
This is wrong because source restriction applies broadly.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common exam trap is to believe that source restriction removes the need for secure transport protocols like SSH or makes logging unnecessary. Some candidates mistakenly think that limiting source IP addresses alone fully secures administrative access. However, source restriction only controls where connections can originate; it does not encrypt data or authenticate users. Ignoring secure protocols or logging can leave management sessions vulnerable to interception or unauthorized use. The exam tests understanding that source restriction is a complementary control, not a replacement for transport security or auditing.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
Source restriction on administrative access is a security control that limits the IP addresses or network segments from which administrators can connect to network devices. This control reduces the attack surface by allowing only trusted and known locations to initiate management sessions, such as SSH or Telnet, thereby preventing unauthorized access attempts from unknown or untrusted sources. In Cisco devices and CCNA contexts, source restriction is typically implemented using access control lists (ACLs) applied to management interfaces or VTY lines. These ACLs filter incoming management traffic based on source IP addresses, ensuring that only specified hosts or networks can reach the device's administrative services. This approach complements secure transport protocols like SSH by adding a network-layer filter that narrows exposure and simplifies monitoring. A common exam trap is to assume that source restriction alone provides complete security or replaces the need for secure protocols such as SSH. However, source restriction only limits where management connections can originate; it does not encrypt or authenticate the session. Practically, source restriction reduces noise in logs and alerts by focusing on expected sources, but logging and secure transport remain essential for comprehensive security and auditing.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Source restriction limits administrative access to specific IP addresses or network segments, reducing the attack surface for management interfaces.
- Cisco devices use access control lists (ACLs) to enforce source restrictions on management protocols like SSH and Telnet.
- Source restriction complements secure transport protocols by narrowing the set of allowed connection origins without replacing encryption or authentication.
- By reducing the number of trusted source locations, source restriction simplifies access monitoring and filtering for network administrators.
- Source restriction does not eliminate the need for logging and auditing administrative access attempts to maintain visibility and incident response.
- Source restriction applies broadly across wired and wireless management access, not just wireless environments.
- Effective source restriction requires careful planning to avoid blocking legitimate administrative access from dynamic or remote IP addresses.
- Combining source restriction with layered security controls strengthens overall network device management security.
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?
Source restriction limits administrative access to specific IP addresses or network segments, reducing the attack surface for management interfaces.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: It reduces the set of network locations from which administrative access is allowed. — Source restriction improves security by reducing the number of places from which administrative traffic is expected and permitted. In practical terms, this makes exposure smaller and monitoring clearer. It does not replace secure protocols or identity controls, but it strengthens the overall design. This is a layered-management-security question because it emphasizes how source restriction complements other controls.
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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