200-901 Infrastructure and Automation Practice Question
What is the default transport protocol for NETCONF sessions?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between 'default' and 'optional' transports, so the trap here is that candidates may confuse TLS (which is supported but not default) with the mandatory SSH transport, or assume HTTP is used because NETCONF is XML-based and HTTP is commonly associated with XML APIs.
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
NETCONF (Network Configuration Protocol) uses SSH as its default transport protocol, as specified in RFC 6242. SSH provides the required secure, authenticated, and encrypted channel for NETCONF sessions, ensuring confidentiality and integrity of configuration data exchanged between the client and server.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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HTTP
Why it's wrong here
HTTP lacks the SSH transport and encryption NETCONF specifies by default, so sessions cannot be established on it. It is tempting because NETCONF messages are XML and HTTP also carries XML, and HTTP would be correct for RESTCONF, which maps those operations onto HTTP methods.
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SSH
Why this is correct
NETCONF uses SSH as its default transport, running over TCP port 830 to provide an encrypted, authenticated channel for configuration and state retrieval. TLS is optional rather than default, so SSH satisfies the stem's requirement.
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TLS
Why it's wrong here
NETCONF's default transport is SSH on port 830; TLS is optional and must be explicitly configured. Choosing TLS here misidentifies the baseline session layer, since the stem asks for the default rather than a secured alternative. TLS would be correct only when a deployment deliberately selects NETCONF over TLS for certificate-based transport.
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SNMP
Why it's wrong here
SNMP is a monitoring and management protocol carried over UDP, and it does not provide the SSH subsystem, framing or capability exchange NETCONF requires. It is tempting because SNMP also configures and polls network devices, and it would be the answer for device telemetry collection rather than configuration sessions.
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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.