What is the fastest way for a network administrator to test whether a banner message is properly configured on a Cisco device?

To determine if a banner message is properly configured on a Cisco device, the fastest method is to exit privileged EXEC mode and press Enter. This action prompts the device to display the configured banner message because banners are displayed during the login process or when users transition between certain modes.

When a network administrator exits privileged EXEC mode, the device will immediately present the banner, allowing for a quick verification of its content without the need to log out or navigate through global configuration mode. This approach provides an immediate response to confirm that the banner is correctly set up and will provide the expected information to users when they access the device.

The other methods, such as accessing global configuration mode to view the banner or logging out of the device and reconnecting, would take more time compared to simply exiting privileged EXEC mode. Performing a network ping test is irrelevant in this context, as it does not address banner configuration at all; instead, it tests network connectivity.