Quick Answer
The answer is SSH and AAA. SSH provides encrypted remote access to the management plane, ensuring that administrative sessions are protected from eavesdropping and tampering, while AAA (Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting) enforces who can access the switch and what commands they are permitted to execute. On the Cisco DCCOR 350-601 exam, this question tests your understanding of which security mechanisms directly govern management plane access, as opposed to control plane protections like CoPP or data plane segmentation via VRF. A common trap is confusing SNMPv3, which secures monitoring traffic, with management plane authentication, or assuming that a VRF alone secures administrative access. Remember the memory tip: “Manage the managers with SSH and AAA”—SSH locks the door, AAA checks the ID.
This 350-601 practice question tests your understanding of security. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
Which TWO methods are used to secure management plane access on Cisco Nexus 9000 series switches?
SNMPv3
Why wrong: SNMPv3 is used for secure monitoring, not direct management plane access.
CoPP
Why wrong: CoPP protects the control plane from excessive traffic, not management plane access.
SSH
SSH encrypts management traffic, securing remote access.
AAA
AAA provides authentication, authorization, and accounting for management access.
VRF
Why wrong: VRF is used for network segmentation, not for securing management plane access.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
SSH
SSH provides encrypted remote access, and AAA provides authentication and authorization for management users. SNMPv3 is for monitoring, CoPP protects the control plane, and VRF is for data plane segmentation.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
SNMPv3
Why it's wrong here
SNMPv3 is used for secure monitoring, not direct management plane access.
CoPP
Why it's wrong here
CoPP protects the control plane from excessive traffic, not management plane access.
SSH
Why this is correct
SSH encrypts management traffic, securing remote access.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
AAA
Why this is correct
AAA provides authentication, authorization, and accounting for management access.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
VRF
Why it's wrong here
VRF is used for network segmentation, not for securing management plane access.
Common exam traps
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
A junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
What to study next
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related 350-601 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Security — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Security practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All 350-601 questions
500 questions across all exam domains
Cisco DCCOR / CCNP Data Center Core 350-601 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
350-601 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise 350-601 questions linked to Network.
Practise 350-601 questions linked to Compute.
Practise 350-601 questions linked to Storage Network.
Practise 350-601 questions linked to Automation.
Practise 350-601 questions linked to Security.
Practise 350-601 questions linked to 350-601 fundamentals.
Practise 350-601 questions linked to 350-601 scenario.
Practise 350-601 questions linked to 350-601 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Security — This question tests Security — Authentication checks who the user is..
The correct answer is: SSH — SSH provides encrypted remote access, and AAA provides authentication and authorization for management users. SNMPv3 is for monitoring, CoPP protects the control plane, and VRF is for data plane segmentation.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related 350-601 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Authentication checks who the user is.
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 →
Keep practising
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This 350-601 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 350-601 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.