Which command-line protocol is used to securely manage network devices, typically as an alternative to Telnet?

Which command-line protocol is used to securely manage network devices, typically as an alternative to Telnet?

• A. Border Gateway Protocol (BGP)
• B. Secure Shell (SSH)
• C. Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP)
• D. Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP)

Answer: (B)

Secure remote management of network devices is achieved through encrypted connections so that login credentials and configuration data aren’t exposed in transit. The command-line protocol that provides this security and is commonly used as the replacement for Telnet is Secure Shell. SSH authenticates the remote host and encrypts all traffic between the client and device, protecting commands and responses from eavesdropping and tampering. It also supports strong authentication methods, such as public-key cryptography, and can carry secure file transfer and remote command execution through related features like SCP or SFTP, making it the preferred tool for network device administration. In contrast, the other options serve different roles: a routing protocol, a trivial file transfer protocol, and a mail transfer protocol, none of which provide interactive secure remote login for device management.

Secure remote management of network devices is achieved through encrypted connections so that login credentials and configuration data aren’t exposed in transit. The command-line protocol that provides this security and is commonly used as the replacement for Telnet is Secure Shell. SSH authenticates the remote host and encrypts all traffic between the client and device, protecting commands and responses from eavesdropping and tampering. It also supports strong authentication methods, such as public-key cryptography, and can carry secure file transfer and remote command execution through related features like SCP or SFTP, making it the preferred tool for network device administration. In contrast, the other options serve different roles: a routing protocol, a trivial file transfer protocol, and a mail transfer protocol, none of which provide interactive secure remote login for device management.