350-501 Security and Services Practice Question
An engineer is hardening the management plane of an IOS XR router. Which combination is the most secure for remote administration?
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
✓
SSH with TACACS+ authentication and authorization
SSH provides encrypted remote access, and TACACS+ offers granular AAA control with encryption of all traffic, making it more secure than RADIUS (which encrypts only password) or local authentication.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
SSH with TACACS+ authentication and authorization
Why this is correct
SSH encryption plus TACACS+ full encryption and granular command authorization.
- ✗
HTTP with local authentication
Why it's wrong here
HTTP is unencrypted and insecure.
- ✗
Telnet with local authentication
Why it's wrong here
Telnet sends passwords in clear text; local authentication lacks accountability.
- ✗
SSH with RADIUS authentication
Why it's wrong here
SSH is good, but RADIUS encrypts only passwords and is less granular than TACACS+.
Quick reference
AAA Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Port(s) | Encryption | Transport | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RADIUS | 1812 / 1813 | Password only | UDP | Network access control |
| TACACS+ | 49 | Full packet | TCP | Device administration |
| Diameter | 3868 | Full session | TCP / SCTP | Carrier / mobile networks |
| 802.1X | — | EAP-based | Layer 2 | Port-based access control |
TACACS+ encrypts the entire packet; RADIUS only encrypts the password field — a key exam distinction.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 350-501 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 350-501 exam.