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 administrator needs to automatically back up the configuration files of all network devices (routers, switches, firewalls) to a central server every night. The administrator requires the transfer to be encrypted to protect sensitive configuration data. Which protocol should the administrator use to retrieve the configuration files?
Why wrong: TFTP (Trivial File Transfer Protocol) is unencrypted and lacks authentication, making it unsuitable for secure transfer of configuration data.
B
FTP
Why wrong: FTP (File Transfer Protocol) transmits data, including passwords, in plaintext. It does not provide encryption without additional security like FTPS.
C
SCP
SCP (Secure Copy) runs over SSH, ensuring encryption and authentication. It is commonly used for secure file transfers in network environments.
D
HTTP
Why wrong: HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) does not encrypt data. While HTTPS could be used, the question asks for a protocol suitable for secure transfers, and plain HTTP is not secure.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
SCP
SCP (Secure Copy Protocol) uses SSH for encrypted file transfers, making it ideal for securely retrieving configuration files from network devices to a central server. It ensures both authentication and data encryption, protecting sensitive configuration data during transit.
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.
✗
TFTP
Why it's wrong here
TFTP (Trivial File Transfer Protocol) is unencrypted and lacks authentication, making it unsuitable for secure transfer of configuration data.
✗
FTP
Why it's wrong here
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) transmits data, including passwords, in plaintext. It does not provide encryption without additional security like FTPS.
✓
SCP
Why this is correct
SCP (Secure Copy) runs over SSH, ensuring encryption and authentication. It is commonly used for secure file transfers in network environments.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
HTTP
Why it's wrong here
HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) does not encrypt data. While HTTPS could be used, the question asks for a protocol suitable for secure transfers, and plain HTTP is not secure.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests SCP versus TFTP, where candidates mistakenly choose TFTP because it is simpler and commonly used for backups, but they overlook the encryption requirement specified in the question.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SCP relies on SSH (port 22) to establish an encrypted tunnel, using the same authentication mechanisms (e.g., passwords or SSH keys) as SSH. In practice, many network devices support SCP for file transfers, but administrators must ensure the SSH server is enabled and configured with sufficient security settings, such as disabling SCPv1 due to known vulnerabilities. A common real-world scenario is using SCP to back up Cisco IOS configurations to a Linux server, where the `copy scp:` command is used on the device.
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: SCP — SCP (Secure Copy Protocol) uses SSH for encrypted file transfers, making it ideal for securely retrieving configuration files from network devices to a central server. It ensures both authentication and data encryption, protecting sensitive configuration data during transit.
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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