- A
The hostname and domain name must be configured before generating RSA keys.
RSA keys require a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) which uses both hostname and domain name.
- B
SSH version 2 is the default and is automatically enabled when RSA keys are generated.
Cisco IOS-XE defaults to SSH version 2 when RSA keys are generated.
- C
The command 'ip ssh version 1' is required to enable SSH.
Why wrong: SSH version 2 is default; version 1 is deprecated and not recommended.
- D
The command 'transport input ssh' must be configured globally.
Why wrong: This command is applied under the VTY line configuration, not globally.
- E
RSA key modulus size must be at least 2048 bits for SSH version 2.
Why wrong: While 2048 bits is recommended, SSH version 2 works with smaller modulus sizes as well.
Cisco IOS-XE SSH Server Configuration
This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of device management. 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.
Which TWO statements about the Cisco IOS-XE SSH server configuration are true? (Choose TWO.)
Quick Answer
The answer is that SSH version 2 is the default and is automatically enabled when RSA keys are generated on Cisco IOS-XE. This is correct because SSH version 2 is the secure, recommended protocol, and the router automatically activates it once a valid RSA key pair exists—no explicit global command is needed to enable SSH. The key pair generation itself requires both a configured hostname and domain name, as these form the fully qualified domain name used in the key label. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this concept tests your understanding of SSH server prerequisites and default behavior, often appearing in multiple-choice questions where a trap distracts you with the need to manually set the version or apply a global transport command. Remember, the ‘ip ssh version’ command only overrides the default if you need version 1, and ‘transport input ssh’ is applied per VTY line, not globally. Memory tip: “Hostname and domain, then keys—SSHv2 comes for free.”
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
The hostname and domain name must be configured before generating RSA keys.
Option A is correct because Cisco IOS-XE requires both a hostname and a domain name to be configured before generating RSA keys. The RSA key generation process uses the fully qualified domain name (FQDN) as part of the key label, and without these values, the 'crypto key generate rsa' command will fail or prompt for missing parameters.
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.
- ✓
The hostname and domain name must be configured before generating RSA keys.
Why this is correct
RSA keys require a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) which uses both hostname and domain name.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
SSH version 2 is the default and is automatically enabled when RSA keys are generated.
Why this is correct
Cisco IOS-XE defaults to SSH version 2 when RSA keys are generated.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The command 'ip ssh version 1' is required to enable SSH.
Why it's wrong here
SSH version 2 is default; version 1 is deprecated and not recommended.
- ✗
The command 'transport input ssh' must be configured globally.
Why it's wrong here
This command is applied under the VTY line configuration, not globally.
- ✗
RSA key modulus size must be at least 2048 bits for SSH version 2.
Why it's wrong here
While 2048 bits is recommended, SSH version 2 works with smaller modulus sizes as well.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that SSH must be explicitly enabled with a version command, when in fact SSH version 2 is the default and is automatically activated upon RSA key generation, and that 'transport input ssh' is a VTY-line command, not a global one.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
This command is applied under the VTY line configuration, not globally.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
When RSA keys are generated with 'crypto key generate rsa', the router uses the hostname and domain name to create a unique key label (e.g., 'router.example.com'). SSH version 2 is automatically enabled once RSA keys exist, as it relies on RSA for host authentication and key exchange. In real-world deployments, failing to set the domain name before key generation can lead to key regeneration or configuration errors, especially in automated provisioning scripts.
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 300-410 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.
Quick reference
Asymmetric Encryption Algorithm Comparison
| Algorithm | Key Exchange | Signatures | Equivalent Security Key | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RSA-3072 | Yes | Yes | 128-bit | Widely deployed; slow for bulk data |
| ECDSA P-256 | No | Yes | 128-bit | Fast signatures; standard TLS certs |
| ECDH / ECDHE | Yes | No | 128-bit | Perfect forward secrecy in TLS 1.3 |
| DH / DHE | Yes | No | 128-bit (3072-bit key) | Replaced by ECDHE in modern TLS |
| Ed25519 | No | Yes | ~128-bit | SSH keys, modern PKI |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 300-410 question test?
Device Management — This question tests Device Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The hostname and domain name must be configured before generating RSA keys. — Option A is correct because Cisco IOS-XE requires both a hostname and a domain name to be configured before generating RSA keys. The RSA key generation process uses the fully qualified domain name (FQDN) as part of the key label, and without these values, the 'crypto key generate rsa' command will fail or prompt for missing parameters.
What should I do if I get this 300-410 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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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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