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 securely transfer backup configuration files from a router to a remote server over the internet. Which protocol should be used?
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) is the correct choice because it provides encrypted file transfers over SSH, ensuring confidentiality and integrity of backup configuration files transmitted over the internet. Unlike TFTP or FTP, SCP authenticates the remote server and encrypts the data in transit, which is essential for secure remote backups.
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.
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TFTP
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. TFTP is unencrypted and lacks authentication, making it unsuitable for secure transfers over the internet.
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FTP
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. FTP transmits credentials and data in plaintext, which is insecure over the internet.
✓
SCP
Why this is correct
Correct. SCP uses SSH for encryption, providing secure file transfer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
SNMP
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. SNMP is used for monitoring and managing network devices, not for file transfers.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between TFTP (for local, unsecure boot/backup) and SCP (for secure remote transfers), and the trap here is that candidates might choose TFTP because it is commonly used for router backups in lab environments, overlooking the 'over the internet' security requirement.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SCP relies on the SSH protocol (port 22) for both authentication and encryption, using the same key exchange and cipher suites as SSH. Under the hood, SCP copies files by spawning an scp process on the remote side via an SSH channel, which can be slower than SFTP for large transfers but is simpler to implement. In real-world scenarios, network administrators often script SCP transfers with SSH keys to automate secure backups without password prompts.
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) is the correct choice because it provides encrypted file transfers over SSH, ensuring confidentiality and integrity of backup configuration files transmitted over the internet. Unlike TFTP or FTP, SCP authenticates the remote server and encrypts the data in transit, which is essential for secure remote backups.
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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