A network administrator establishes a connection to a switch via SSH. What characteristic uniquely describes the SSH connection?

A network administrator establishes a connection to a switch via SSH. What characteristic uniquely describes the SSH connection?

• A. Remote access to a switch where data is encrypted during the session
• B. Remote access to a switch with plaintext authentication
• C. Non-secure remote admin session
• D. Local console login over SSH

Answer: (A)

SSH provides encrypted, remote access to manage network devices. The key point is that the entire session is encrypted, so all data that travels between the administrator’s computer and the switch—including login credentials and commands—is protected from eavesdropping or tampering. This confidentiality and integrity of the session is what uniquely characterizes SSH as a secure remote management method. This is not about plaintext authentication, which would expose credentials; it’s not about a non-secure remote admin session, which would lack encryption; and it isn’t a local console login, since SSH is used over the network to reach the device remotely.

SSH provides encrypted, remote access to manage network devices. The key point is that the entire session is encrypted, so all data that travels between the administrator’s computer and the switch—including login credentials and commands—is protected from eavesdropping or tampering. This confidentiality and integrity of the session is what uniquely characterizes SSH as a secure remote management method.

This is not about plaintext authentication, which would expose credentials; it’s not about a non-secure remote admin session, which would lack encryption; and it isn’t a local console login, since SSH is used over the network to reach the device remotely.