mediumMultiple Choice
200-901 Practice Question: A network administrator is configuring SNMPv3 on…
A network administrator is configuring SNMPv3 on a router for secure monitoring. Which combination of parameters is required to ensure authentication and encryption?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between authNoPriv and authPriv, where candidates mistakenly think authentication alone is sufficient for 'secure monitoring' and overlook the encryption requirement.
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
✓
SNMPv3 with authPriv
SNMPv3 with authPriv is the correct combination because it enables both authentication (via HMAC-MD5 or HMAC-SHA) and encryption (via DES or AES) to ensure secure monitoring. The authPriv security level provides message integrity, origin authentication, and data confidentiality, meeting the requirement for both authentication and encryption.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
SNMPv3 with authPriv
Why this is correct
authPriv enforces both authentication (MD5 or SHA) and encryption (DES or AES) for SNMPv3, satisfying the stem's dual requirement. Unlike authNoPriv, which authenticates but transmits data in cleartext, authPriv encrypts the payload, so credentials and monitored data remain confidential in transit.
- ✗
SNMPv3 with noAuthNoPriv
Why it's wrong here
noAuthNoPriv provides neither authentication nor privacy, so credentials are unverified and payloads travel in cleartext, failing the encryption requirement. It is tempting when monitoring trusted internal links where overhead matters, but authPriv is required whenever both authentication and encryption are mandated.
- ✗
SNMPv3 with authNoPriv
Why it's wrong here
authNoPriv authenticates the sender via MD5 or SHA but applies no encryption, leaving the payload readable in transit. It is tempting when integrity matters but confidentiality does not, yet the scenario explicitly requires encryption, so authPriv is needed.
- ✗
SNMPv2c with a complex community string
Why it's wrong here
SNMPv2c has no authentication or encryption mechanism; a complex community string is still a plaintext shared secret, so it cannot satisfy the requirement. It is tempting for legacy devices lacking SNMPv3 support, but only SNMPv3 authPriv delivers both authentication and encryption.
Quick reference
Symmetric Encryption Algorithm Comparison
| Algorithm | Key Size | Block Size | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AES-128 | 128-bit | 128-bit | Current standard | NIST approved; WPA3, TLS |
| AES-256 | 256-bit | 128-bit | Current standard | Preferred for sensitive / govt data |
| 3DES | 112-bit effective | 64-bit | Deprecated (2023) | Replaced by AES |
| DES | 56-bit | 64-bit | Broken | Cracked in < 24 h; never deploy |
| ChaCha20 | 256-bit | Stream cipher | Current | TLS 1.3, WireGuard |
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
This 200-901 question is part of Courseiva's 975-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 200-901 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 200-901 exam.