- A
Configure the SNMP community string on the router
Why wrong: SNMPv3 does not use community strings; community strings are used in SNMPv1/v2c.
- B
Set the SNMP trap destination IP address on the router
Why wrong: The trap destination must be set for traps to be sent, but the administrator likely already did this since the router is sending traps, just not being received. The question indicates no traps are received, implying missing credentials.
- C
Configure SNMPv3 authentication and privacy credentials on both the router and the server
SNMPv3 requires matching authentication and encryption credentials on both ends. Without them, the server will not accept or decrypt traps.
- D
Ensure the SNMP agent is enabled on the router
Why wrong: If the router is configured to send traps, the SNMP agent is likely enabled. The issue is more specific to v3 credentials.
N10-009 Network Operations Practice Question
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 has configured SNMPv3 on a router to send traps to a central management server. The administrator notices that no traps are being received. The management server is reachable via ping from the router. Which configuration step is most likely missing?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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
Configure SNMPv3 authentication and privacy credentials on both the router and the server
SNMPv3 requires authentication and encryption (privacy) to be configured on both the router and the management server. Without matching credentials, the server will reject or ignore the traps, even if the network path is reachable. This is the most likely missing step because SNMPv3 does not use community strings and relies on security models (authNoPriv, authPriv, or noAuthNoPriv) that must be consistent between endpoints.
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.
- ✗
Configure the SNMP community string on the router
Why it's wrong here
SNMPv3 does not use community strings; community strings are used in SNMPv1/v2c.
- ✗
Set the SNMP trap destination IP address on the router
Why it's wrong here
The trap destination must be set for traps to be sent, but the administrator likely already did this since the router is sending traps, just not being received. The question indicates no traps are received, implying missing credentials.
- ✓
Configure SNMPv3 authentication and privacy credentials on both the router and the server
Why this is correct
SNMPv3 requires matching authentication and encryption credentials on both ends. Without them, the server will not accept or decrypt traps.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Ensure the SNMP agent is enabled on the router
Why it's wrong here
If the router is configured to send traps, the SNMP agent is likely enabled. The issue is more specific to v3 credentials.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the misconception that SNMPv3 still requires a community string or that simply setting a trap destination is sufficient, when in fact the security credentials must be explicitly configured and matched on both devices.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SNMPv3 defines three security levels: noAuthNoPriv (no authentication or encryption), authNoPriv (authentication with MD5 or SHA, but no encryption), and authPriv (authentication plus encryption using DES or AES). The router and server must share the same engine ID, username, authentication protocol/password, and privacy protocol/password. A common pitfall is that the engine ID on the router (auto-generated from the MAC address) must be known to the server, or traps will be silently dropped.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this N10-009 question test?
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: Configure SNMPv3 authentication and privacy credentials on both the router and the server — SNMPv3 requires authentication and encryption (privacy) to be configured on both the router and the management server. Without matching credentials, the server will reject or ignore the traps, even if the network path is reachable. This is the most likely missing step because SNMPv3 does not use community strings and relies on security models (authNoPriv, authPriv, or noAuthNoPriv) that must be consistent between endpoints.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
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.
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