This N10-009 practice question tests your understanding of network operations. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 technician needs to back up the configuration file of a managed switch to a central server on a regular basis. The switch supports a simple and widely used protocol for this purpose. Which of the following protocols should the technician use?
TFTP is designed for simple file transfer and is the standard protocol used by network devices for configuration backup.
B
B: HTTP
Why wrong: HTTP is used for web traffic and is not typically used for device configuration backup due to lack of automation and security requirements.
C
C: SNMP
Why wrong: SNMP is used for monitoring and managing devices, not for transferring configuration files.
D
D: SSH
Why wrong: SSH provides secure command-line access but is not a file transfer protocol; it can be used to copy files via SCP, but TFTP is more directly supported for automated backups.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
A: TFTP
TFTP (Trivial File Transfer Protocol) is the correct choice because it is a simple, lightweight protocol designed specifically for transferring configuration files to and from network devices like managed switches. It uses UDP port 69 and requires no authentication or complex session setup, making it ideal for automated backup scripts that run on a regular basis. While it lacks security features, its simplicity and widespread support in network equipment firmware make it the standard for this purpose.
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.
✓
A: TFTP
Why this is correct
TFTP is designed for simple file transfer and is the standard protocol used by network devices for configuration backup.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
B: HTTP
Why it's wrong here
HTTP is used for web traffic and is not typically used for device configuration backup due to lack of automation and security requirements.
✗
C: SNMP
Why it's wrong here
SNMP is used for monitoring and managing devices, not for transferring configuration files.
✗
D: SSH
Why it's wrong here
SSH provides secure command-line access but is not a file transfer protocol; it can be used to copy files via SCP, but TFTP is more directly supported for automated backups.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the distinction between TFTP for simple file transfers and SCP/SSH for secure transfers, leading candidates to choose SSH because they assume security is always required, but the question explicitly asks for a 'simple and widely used protocol' where security is not a stated requirement.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
SSH provides secure command-line access but is not a file transfer protocol; it can be used to copy files via SCP, but TFTP is more directly supported for automated backups.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
TFTP operates over UDP with a simple lock-step mechanism: each data packet must be acknowledged before the next is sent, which limits throughput but ensures reliability on local networks. In practice, many network administrators use TFTP in conjunction with cron jobs or scripts that issue commands like 'copy running-config tftp://server/filename' on Cisco IOS devices. A subtle behavior is that TFTP has no directory listing or authentication, so the server must have the file pre-created or allow overwrites, and the switch must have IP reachability to the TFTP server on UDP 69.
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.
TExam Day Tips
→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 N10-009 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 N10-009 question in full detail.
Network Operations — This question tests Network Operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: A: TFTP — TFTP (Trivial File Transfer Protocol) is the correct choice because it is a simple, lightweight protocol designed specifically for transferring configuration files to and from network devices like managed switches. It uses UDP port 69 and requires no authentication or complex session setup, making it ideal for automated backup scripts that run on a regular basis. While it lacks security features, its simplicity and widespread support in network equipment firmware make it the standard for this purpose.
What should I do if I get this N10-009 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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