- A
FTP
Why wrong: FTP is full-featured but requires authentication and directory navigation; it is less commonly used for automated config backups than TFTP.
- B
TFTP
TFTP is a lightweight, connectionless protocol that is ideal for transferring small files like configuration backups without complex setup.
- C
SFTP
Why wrong: SFTP provides encryption and file management, but it is not as universally supported on low-end network devices as TFTP.
- D
HTTP
Why wrong: HTTP is not typically used for device configuration backups; it is more common for web-based management interfaces.
Question 249 of 520
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 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?
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.
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.
- ✗
FTP
Why it's wrong here
FTP is full-featured but requires authentication and directory navigation; it is less commonly used for automated config backups than TFTP.
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 that is ideal for transferring small files like configuration backups without complex setup.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
SFTP
Why it's wrong here
SFTP provides encryption and file management, but it is not as universally supported on low-end network devices as TFTP.
- ✗
HTTP
Why it's wrong here
HTTP is not typically used for device configuration backups; it is more common for web-based management interfaces.
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 that is ideal for transferring small files like configuration backups without complex setup.
✗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?”
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
TFTP operates over UDP and uses a simple lock-step protocol (RFC 1350) where each data packet must be acknowledged before the next is sent, making it efficient for small file transfers but prone to issues on high-latency links. In real-world scenarios, network administrators often use a TFTP server with a script that loops through device IPs, issuing commands like 'copy running-config tftp:' to automate backups, but must be aware that TFTP has no built-in security, so it should only be used on isolated management networks.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Network Operations — study guide chapter
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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: 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.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 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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