Cisco Updated 200-301 Exam Questions and Answers by romilly

The correct answer is C: AES-128. Cisco’s WPA2 documentation describes WPA2 as using AES with CCMP; AES Counter Mode encrypts 128-bit blocks with a 128-bit encryption key. The existing answer of AES-256 confuses PSK material or hexadecimal key-entry length with the actual WPA2 CCMP encryption cipher. WPA2-Personal uses a pre-shared key for authentication/key derivation, but the data-protection mechanism is AES-CCMP, not RC4, TKIP with RC4, or plain RC4. TKIP was associated with WPA and is considered legacy; WEP and RC4-based approaches are not acceptable modern wireless protection. CCNA 200-301 v1.1 Network Access expects the basic security pairing: WPA2 uses AES/CCMP, and WPA3 improves authentication with SAE. Because the option set forces a key-size distinction, Cisco’s WPA2 configuration reference supports AES-128. Reference: Cisco WPA2 configuration example describing AES Counter Mode and a 128-bit encryption key.

Controller-based networking reduces configuration complexity by centralizing intent, policy, automation, and visibility. In traditional device-by-device management, engineers often log into individual routers, switches, or controllers and repeat similar commands manually. That increases the chance of drift and human error. A controller-based model centralizes key IT functions, exposes APIs, and can push consistent policy or templates across many devices. It does not inherently increase network bandwidth usage, inflate software costs as a technical benefit, or guarantee fewer network failures in every design. The defensible comparison is operational: centralization and automation reduce complexity and lower the probability of inconsistent configuration. Cisco CCNA 200-301 v1.1 Automation and Programmability includes this topic because modern campus and enterprise management platforms, such as Cisco Catalyst Center, are built around controller-based operations. The two correct benefits are reduced configuration complexity and centralization of management functions. That maps to C and D.

Answer A is the technically correct selection. A secure native VLAN design keeps the native VLAN separate from user and management VLANs. Best practice is to use an unused, nondefault VLAN as the native VLAN on trunks and avoid placing active hosts in it. This aligns with Cisco CCNA 200-301 v1.1 because the exam blueprint requires engineers to recognize operational behaviour from configuration symptoms and topology requirements. Using VLAN 1 or mismatching native VLANs increases exposure and can break or merge traffic unexpectedly. Treat the distractors carefully: most are real Cisco terms, but they solve a different problem or operate at a different layer. The selected answer is the one that would be used by an engineer on the device or in the design to produce the outcome stated in the question.

AAA separates three related security functions. Authentication verifies identity: who the user or device is. Authorization determines what that authenticated identity is allowed to do, such as which commands can be run or which services can be accessed. Accounting records what happened, including login times, commands, resource usage, or session start and stop information. The drag-and-drop answer should map identity checks to authentication, permission or privilege decisions to authorization, and tracking or logging of user activity to accounting. Cisco CCNA v1.1 Security Fundamentals includes AAA concepts and the practical differences between RADIUS and TACACS+. The best way to solve AAA questions is to translate the term into a plain operational question. Authentication asks, “Are you really this user?” Authorization asks, “What are you allowed to access?” Accounting asks, “What did you do?” Those three meanings remain the same whether the backend service is local, RADIUS, or TACACS+.