Question 1hardmultiple choice
Full question →hardmultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A user can authenticate successfully to a network device but is denied access to certain commands. Which statement best explains the situation?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Best answer
Authentication succeeded, but authorization limits the user's command access.
This is correct because permission scope after login is an authorization function.
B
Distractor review
The device lost all routing information after login.
This is wrong because routing-table state does not explain selective command denial.
C
Distractor review
The subnet mask on the user workstation is incorrect.
This is wrong because workstation addressing is not the clue in a post-login command restriction scenario.
D
Distractor review
Syslog is blocking the commands for security reasons.
This is wrong because Syslog provides visibility, not direct per-command authorization control.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common exam trap is assuming that successful authentication means unrestricted access to all device commands. Candidates often confuse authentication with authorization, thinking that if a user can log in, they should have full command privileges. This misunderstanding leads to incorrect answers suggesting routing issues or workstation configuration problems as causes for command denial. However, Cisco devices distinctly separate authentication (identity verification) from authorization (permission enforcement). Authorization policies can restrict command access even after a successful login, which is the correct explanation in this scenario.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) is a fundamental security framework used in Cisco networking to control user access to devices and network resources. Authentication verifies the identity of a user attempting to access the device, typically through credentials like usernames and passwords. Authorization then determines the level of access or permissions granted to the authenticated user, including which commands they can execute. Accounting tracks user activities for auditing purposes. This separation ensures that even if a user successfully logs in, their actions can be restricted based on predefined policies. In Cisco IOS devices, authorization is often implemented through role-based access control (RBAC) or command authorization using AAA methods such as TACACS+. When a user authenticates successfully, the device checks the authorization policies to decide which commands or command sets the user can access. If the user lacks authorization for certain commands, the device denies execution despite successful authentication. This distinction is crucial for maintaining security by limiting users to only the necessary commands, reducing the risk of unauthorized configuration changes or information disclosure. A common exam trap is confusing authentication failure with authorization denial. Candidates may assume that if a user can log in, they have full access, but Cisco devices separate these functions. Authorization restrictions after login are intentional and do not indicate a failure or device malfunction. Practically, this means network administrators can enforce least privilege principles, allowing users to perform only their required tasks. Understanding this distinction helps avoid misdiagnosing access issues and supports secure network management practices.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication verifies the identity of a user attempting to access a Cisco network device using credentials like usernames and passwords.
- Authorization determines which commands or resources an authenticated user is permitted to access on a Cisco device, enforcing role-based access control.
- Cisco IOS devices use AAA protocols such as TACACS+ to separate authentication and authorization functions for granular command access control.
- Successful authentication does not guarantee full command access; authorization policies can restrict specific commands even after login.
- Authorization limits help implement the principle of least privilege by restricting users to only necessary commands on network devices.
- Authorization failures after authentication indicate permission restrictions, not device or routing issues.
- Syslog provides logging and visibility but does not control user command authorization or deny access to commands.
- Incorrect subnet masks or routing table loss do not cause selective command denial after successful user authentication.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Related practice questions
Related 200-301 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
CCNA subnetting practice questions
Practise IPv4 subnetting, CIDR, masks, host ranges and subnet selection.
CCNA OSPF practice questions
Practise OSPF neighbours, router IDs, metrics, areas and routing-table interpretation.
CCNA VLAN practice questions
Practise VLANs, access ports, trunks, allowed VLANs and switching scenarios.
CCNA STP practice questions
Practise spanning tree, root bridge election, port roles and STP troubleshooting.
CCNA EtherChannel practice questions
Practise LACP, PAgP, port-channel behaviour and bundle requirements.
CCNA ACL practice questions
Practise standard and extended ACLs, permit/deny logic and traffic filtering.
CCNA NAT practice questions
Practise static NAT, dynamic NAT, PAT and inside/outside address translation.
CCNA DHCP practice questions
Practise DHCP scopes, relay, leases and troubleshooting.
CCNA show ip route practice questions
Practise routing-table output, longest-prefix match, AD and route selection.
CCNA show interfaces trunk practice questions
Practise trunk verification and VLAN forwarding across switches.
CCNA wireless security practice questions
Practise WLAN security, authentication and wireless architecture concepts.
CCNA IPv6 practice questions
Practise IPv6 addressing, routes, neighbour discovery and common IPv6 exam traps.
More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A router learns the same prefix from both OSPF and EIGRP. Which route is installed by default?
Question 2
A router shows this output: R1#show ip ospf neighbor Neighbor ID Pri State Dead Time Address Interface 10.1.1.2 1 FULL/DR 00:00:34 192.168.12.2 GigabitEthernet0/0 10.1.1.3 1 2WAY/DROTHER 00:00:39 192.168.12.3 GigabitEthernet0/0 Which statement is correct?
Question 3
What is the OSPF metric called?
Question 4
A non-root switch has two uplinks toward the root bridge. One path has a lower total STP cost than the other. What role will the lower-cost uplink have?
Question 5
A router interface applies this ACL inbound: 10 deny tcp any any eq 80 20 permit ip any any A user reports that web browsing to a server by IP address fails, but ping works. Which statement best explains the behavior?
Question 6
A router learns route 198.51.100.0/24 from OSPF with AD 110 and also has a static route to the same prefix configured with AD 150. Which route is installed?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
Authentication verifies the identity of a user attempting to access a Cisco network device using credentials like usernames and passwords.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Authentication succeeded, but authorization limits the user's command access. — The situation is best explained by authorization controls. In practical terms, authentication confirms who the user is, but authorization determines what that user can do after login. A successful login followed by restricted command access means the identity is valid but the permission set is limited. This is one of the most important practical distinctions within AAA.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
Discussion
Loading comments…
Sign in to join the discussion.