How to Harden a Repurposed Switch for Configuration - Network+ Exam Guide

A network technician is repurposing a switch that has been in storage for some time.

The device has been wiped to factory defaults.

Which of the following should be done FIRST to ensure the device has been hardened before configuration?

A.

Generate new keys.

B.

Disable unused ports.

C.

Check for updated firmware.

D.

Configure the default VLAN.

C.

The correct answer is C. Check for updated firmware.

When repurposing a network device, it is essential to ensure that it is secured before configuring it for use in the network. One critical step in hardening a network device is to ensure that it is running the latest firmware. Firmware is the software that runs on the hardware of the device, and it controls how the device functions.

Updating the firmware is critical because it fixes bugs, patches security vulnerabilities, and adds new features to the device. If the firmware is outdated or vulnerable, the device can be easily exploited by attackers, compromising the security of the network.

The other options given in the question are also essential steps in hardening a network device. Still, they should be done after checking for updated firmware, as updating the firmware may require some additional configuration steps that could affect the other hardening steps.

For example, generating new keys (option A) is essential to ensure secure communication between network devices, but this step should be done after updating the firmware. Updating the firmware may reset the device's keys, making it necessary to regenerate them.

Disabling unused ports (option B) is also an essential step in hardening a network device because it minimizes the device's attack surface. However, it is not as critical as updating the firmware, and it can be done after updating the firmware.

Configuring the default VLAN (option D) is necessary to ensure that network traffic is segregated based on function or department. However, it is also not as critical as updating the firmware, and it can be done after updating the firmware.