Effect of Using the Service Password-Encryption Command

E

The service password-encryption command is used in Cisco IOS to encrypt the plain text passwords that are stored in the router or switch configuration. This command does not affect how the password is used or its functionality, but only encrypts the password itself.

The correct answer to this question is A. Only passwords configured after the command has been entered will be encrypted. When this command is entered, it only affects the passwords that are configured after the command is entered. Passwords that were already in the configuration prior to entering the command will remain in plain text. Therefore, this option is correct as it states that only passwords configured after the command has been entered will be encrypted.

Option B, "Only the enable password will be encrypted," is incorrect because the service password-encryption command will encrypt all configured passwords, not just the enable password.

Option C, "Only the enable secret password will be encrypted," is also incorrect. The command will encrypt all passwords that are configured, not just the enable secret password.

Option D, "It will encrypt the secret password and remove the enable secret password from the configuration," is not accurate. The service password-encryption command does not remove any passwords from the configuration. It only encrypts them.

Option E, "It will encrypt all current and future passwords," is also incorrect. As mentioned earlier, this command only affects passwords that are configured after the command is entered, not passwords that were already in the configuration.

In conclusion, the correct answer to this question is A. Only passwords configured after the command has been entered will be encrypted.