350-501 Security and Services Practice Question
An SP engineers want to restrict management access to their IOS XR routers. Which combination provides the most secure management plane hardening?
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 AAA via TACACS+ and role-based access using task groups
SSH provides encrypted access, TACACS+ centralizes AAA with encryption, and IOS XR task groups allow fine-grained RBAC. Telnet and SNMPv2c are insecure; SNMPv3 is required for security.
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 AAA via TACACS+ and role-based access using task groups
Why this is correct
This provides encryption, centralized authentication, and authorization.
- ✗
Telnet with local passwords and SNMPv2c read-only
Why it's wrong here
Telnet and SNMPv2c are insecure.
- ✗
HTTP with AAA via RADIUS
Why it's wrong here
HTTP with AAA via RADIUS fails because RADIUS encrypts only the password in the Access-Request packet, leaving the entire HTTP session—including management commands and credentials—unencrypted, whereas the correct option would enforce encryption at the transport layer (e.g., HTTPS with TLS). It is tempting because RADIUS centralises authentication and authorisation, making it a strong choice for environments where HTTP is already secured by a separate VPN or IPsec tunnel, but the stem demands the most secure hardening without assuming such additional protection.
- ✗
SSH with local authentication only
Why it's wrong here
Local authentication lacks centralized control and auditing.
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.