The correct statement is that the 'monitor' user uses deprecated authentication and privacy protocols. This is because the output of the show snmp user command reveals that the 'monitor' user is configured with MD5 for authentication and DES for privacy, both of which are considered weak and have been deprecated in favor of stronger algorithms like SHA and AES. In contrast, the 'admin' user employs SHA and AES256, reflecting modern security standards. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this command tests your ability to interpret SNMPv3 user configurations and recognize deprecated versus recommended cryptographic protocols—a common trap is to focus solely on group names or engine IDs while overlooking the protocol fields. A useful memory tip is to remember that MD5 and DES are "old and broken," just like a "monitor" that is outdated, while SHA and AES are "strong and secure," like an "admin" who follows best practices.
300-410 SNMP Troubleshooting Practice Question
This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of snmp troubleshooting. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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.
A network engineer runs the following command on Router R1:
R1# show snmp user
User name: monitor
Engine ID: 800000090300001122334455
storage-type: nonvolatile
Authentication Protocol: MD5
Privacy Protocol: DES
Group-name: readonly
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The 'monitor' user uses deprecated authentication and privacy protocols.
The output shows two SNMPv3 users. The 'monitor' user uses MD5 authentication and DES privacy, which are considered weak and deprecated. The 'admin' user uses stronger SHA authentication and AES256 privacy. The group names indicate the SNMP access level, but the group configuration is not shown here.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
The 'monitor' user uses deprecated authentication and privacy protocols.
Why this is correct
MD5 and DES are deprecated in favor of SHA and AES due to security vulnerabilities.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The 'admin' user can only read MIB objects.
Why it's wrong here
The group name 'admin' suggests read-write access, but the actual permissions depend on the group configuration, which is not shown.
✗
Both users use the same engine ID.
Why it's wrong here
The engine IDs are different: '800000090300001122334455' vs '800000090300AABBCCDDEEFF'.
✗
The 'monitor' user cannot authenticate because MD5 is not supported.
Why it's wrong here
MD5 is still supported, though deprecated; authentication will work.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The group name 'admin' suggests read-write access, but the actual permissions depend on the group configuration, which is not shown.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 300-410 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 300-410 question in full detail.
Identify which 300-410 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
SNMP Troubleshooting — This question tests SNMP Troubleshooting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The 'monitor' user uses deprecated authentication and privacy protocols. — The output shows two SNMPv3 users. The 'monitor' user uses MD5 authentication and DES privacy, which are considered weak and deprecated. The 'admin' user uses stronger SHA authentication and AES256 privacy. The group names indicate the SNMP access level, but the group configuration is not shown here.
What should I do if I get this 300-410 question wrong?
Identify which 300-410 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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