On a Cisco router, which type of banner configuration is typically used to display a general Message of the Day (MOTD) to all terminals that connect to the device?

Introduction / Context:
This question covers basic administrative configuration on Cisco routers. Banners are used to display messages such as legal notices, security warnings, or informational text when users connect to the device. Different banner types exist for different moments in the login process, so you must know which one is associated with general messages shown to all terminals.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- We are configuring a Cisco router or similar IOS based device.
- We want a message to appear when any terminal connects, regardless of whether it is console, Telnet, or SSH.
- The message is a general Message of the Day, not necessarily limited to just before or after authentication.
- The question asks which banner type is typically used for this MOTD behavior.

Concept / Approach:
Cisco IOS supports several banner types, including banner motd (Message of the Day), banner login, and banner exec. The MOTD banner is displayed before the login prompt on most lines and is intended for general informational or warning messages. The login banner appears right before the username or password prompts, and the exec banner displays messages when an EXEC session is started after authentication. When exam questions refer to showing a message to all terminals in a generic way, they almost always expect banner motd as the correct answer.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that banner motd is the command used to configure a Message of the Day banner on Cisco IOS.Step 2: Understand that this banner is displayed to most users when they connect to the device, regardless of whether it is via console or remote lines.Step 3: Recognize that banner login is more specifically associated with legal warnings displayed just before login prompts, although in many environments MOTD and login banners may both be used.Step 4: Note that banner exec is displayed when a user enters an EXEC shell after authentication, which is a different stage of the session.Step 5: Choose banner motd as the banner type that matches the description of a general message to all terminals.

Verification / Alternative check:
In practice, you can configure banner motd #Welcome to this router# on a lab device and then log in via console and Telnet. You will see the MOTD banner text displayed before the login prompts. If you also configure a login banner, it will appear closer to the username prompt. This confirms that the MOTD is the general, all-terminals message, which is what this question targets.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
banner login is also common, but exam wording that emphasizes “Message of the Day” or a generic banner to all users is specifically about banner motd. banner exec is tied to EXEC session start, not initial connection. banner slip-ppp is related to older dial-up technologies and is not the general purpose banner most administrators use. banner incoming is not a standard Cisco IOS command for typical router configuration in this context, making it an incorrect distractor.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse banner motd and banner login, especially because both can display legal or informational messages. Another pitfall is to assume that any banner keyword will work the same way, when each is tied to a different stage of the login process. Remembering that the term “Message of the Day” maps directly to banner motd helps lock in the correct answer quickly.

Final Answer:
You use the banner motd command to configure a general Message of the Day banner that is displayed to all terminals connected to the router.