Question

A new junior network intern connects a laptop to an access layer switch in the wiring closet. After configuring a terminal emulation program, the intern presses the Enter key, and the S1_ATC_E2> prompt appears. What could have been done to better protect the switch?

Answer 1

To better protect an access layer switch, the intern should set strong passwords, configure user authentication, implement Access Control Lists (ACLs) to restrict access, and enable encrypted management protocols like SSH.

Step-by-step explanation:

To better protect the switch, the network intern should have implemented several security measures that are typically available on network devices. Since the prompt S1_ATC_E2> appeared after the intern simply pressed the Enter key, it indicates that there likely hasn't been any password set for accessing the switch's management interface, or the default credentials are still being used. Here are several steps that could have been taken:

• Set a strong password for accessing the switch. Either the enable password or a stronger secret password should be used.
• Configure user authentication with a local username and password or integrate with an external authentication service like RADIUS or TACACS+.
• Implement Access Control Lists (ACLs) to restrict which IP addresses can remotely access the switch management interface.
• Enable encrypted management protocols like SSH, and disable unencrypted ones like telnet.

These measures would collectively ensure that only authorized personnel can access the switch for configuration or management purposes, reducing the risk of unauthorized access or potential security breaches.

Answer 2

Answer: create a console password

Step-by-step explanation:

Console password is useful on a network on which multiple people have to access to the router. The persons who are not authorized, can't access the router. Thus it prevents unauthorized person from accessing the router.