N10-009 Network Operations Practice Question
A network administrator wants to automate the backup of configuration files from multiple routers and switches. Which protocol is commonly used for this purpose and is supported by most network devices?
⚠ Common exam trap
The N10-009 exam often tests the distinction between TFTP and FTP/SFTP by emphasizing that TFTP is the simplest and most universally supported protocol for automated backups, even though it lacks security, leading candidates to incorrectly choose SFTP for its encryption without considering device support limitations.
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
✓
TFTP
TFTP (Trivial File Transfer Protocol) is the correct choice because it is a lightweight, connectionless UDP-based protocol (port 69) that is widely supported on network devices like routers and switches for automated configuration backups. Its simplicity and minimal overhead make it ideal for scripting backup operations, even though it lacks security features like authentication or 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.
- ✗
FTP
Why it's wrong here
FTP operates over TCP, typically using ports 20 and 21, providing a robust, full-featured file transfer service. However, its requirement for user authentication, explicit directory navigation, and connection management adds significant overhead, making it less practical for simple, unauthenticated, automated configuration backups from a large number of network devices compared to TFTP's streamlined approach.
When this WOULD be correct
When the question specifies a need for secure file transfer with authentication and encryption, or when transferring large files over a reliable network where FTP's error-checking is beneficial.
- ✓
TFTP
Why this is correct
TFTP is a lightweight, connectionless protocol operating over UDP port 69, making it exceptionally simple for transferring small files. Its lack of authentication and minimal overhead allows for highly efficient, automated backups of configuration files from numerous network devices without complex setup or user interaction, which is ideal for routine, programmatic tasks.
- ✗
SFTP
Why it's wrong here
SFTP, built upon the Secure Shell (SSH) protocol and typically using TCP port 22, offers strong encryption, authentication, and comprehensive file management capabilities. While highly secure, its cryptographic overhead and reliance on SSH can be resource-intensive and is not universally supported on older or lower-end network devices, making it less suitable for broad, automated deployment across a diverse network infrastructure for simple configuration transfers.
When this WOULD be correct
In a scenario where the network devices support SSH and the administrator requires encrypted file transfers for security compliance, SFTP would be the correct choice over TFTP.
- ✗
HTTP
Why it's wrong here
HTTP, primarily designed for retrieving web pages and resources over TCP ports 80 or 443, facilitates client-server communication for web browsing. Although some network devices offer web-based management interfaces that might allow manual configuration downloads, HTTP is not inherently designed for automated, programmatic file transfer from a device to a backup server, nor does it provide the necessary mechanisms for efficient, unattended configuration backups.
When this WOULD be correct
HTTP would be correct in a scenario where the question specifies backing up configuration files to a web server using a web interface, or when the devices support REST APIs for configuration management over HTTP/HTTPS.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The N10-009 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓TFTPCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
TFTP is a lightweight, connectionless protocol operating over UDP port 69, making it exceptionally simple for transferring small files. Its lack of authentication and minimal overhead allows for highly efficient, automated backups of configuration files from numerous network devices without complex setup or user interaction, which is ideal for routine, programmatic tasks.
✗FTPWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
FTP requires authentication and is more complex than needed for automated backups; many network devices do not support FTP server functionality, and it is less commonly used for this purpose compared to TFTP.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
When the question specifies a need for secure file transfer with authentication and encryption, or when transferring large files over a reliable network where FTP's error-checking is beneficial.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may know FTP is a common file transfer protocol and assume it is suitable for network device backups, overlooking that TFTP is simpler and more widely supported for this specific task.
✗SFTPWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
SFTP is not commonly used for automated backups of network device configurations because it requires SSH, which many older or simpler routers and switches do not support. TFTP is the standard due to its simplicity and widespread device support.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a scenario where the network devices support SSH and the administrator requires encrypted file transfers for security compliance, SFTP would be the correct choice over TFTP.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse SFTP with TFTP due to similar names, or assume that SFTP's security features make it a better choice for backups, overlooking that many network devices lack SFTP support.
✗HTTPWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
HTTP is not commonly used for automated backups of router/switch configurations because it lacks the simplicity and widespread support for device-to-server file transfers that TFTP offers; most network devices do not natively support HTTP for configuration backup.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
HTTP would be correct in a scenario where the question specifies backing up configuration files to a web server using a web interface, or when the devices support REST APIs for configuration management over HTTP/HTTPS.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse HTTP with TFTP due to both being application-layer protocols, or mistakenly think HTTP is commonly used for device backups because of its ubiquity in web services.
Analysis generated from the official N10-009blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Network Documentation and Diagrams
Key term
UDP
UDP (User Datagram Protocol) is a communication protocol that sends data quickly without first checking if the receiver is ready or if the data arrived correctly.
Key term
Encryption
Encryption is the process of converting readable data into a secret code to prevent unauthorized access.
About these practice questions
One of 464 original N10-009 practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This N10-009 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA 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 N10-009 exam.