Drag steps to the numbered slots on the right, or tap a step then tap a slot.
Steps
Order
1Step 1
2Step 2
3Step 3
4Step 4
5Step 5
CCNA Network Services and Security Practice Question
Drag and drop the following steps into the correct order to configure AAA with a RADIUS server and 802.1X port authentication on an IOS-XE switch.
⚠ Common exam trap
Do not confuse the order of enabling AAA and creating authentication lists. AAA must be enabled globally before you can create authentication lists. Also, remember that the RADIUS server configuration comes first, as AAA needs to know which server to use.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Configure RADIUS server, enable AAA globally, create an authentication list for 802.1X, apply 802.1X to the port
First configure the RADIUS server, then enable AAA, create an authentication list for 802.1X, and finally apply 802.1X to the port.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Configure RADIUS server, enable AAA globally, create an authentication list for 802.1X, apply 802.1X to the port
Why this is correct
This is the correct order: first define the RADIUS server, then enable AAA, create an authentication list for 802.1X, and finally apply 802.1X to the port. This sequence ensures that AAA and RADIUS are ready before configuring port authentication.
- ✗
Enable AAA globally, configure RADIUS server, apply 802.1X to the port, create an authentication list for 802.1X
Why it's wrong here
This sequence is wrong because it attempts to apply 802.1X to the interface before an authentication list has been created. The command `authentication port-control auto` or the interface-level `dot1x port-control auto` will reference an AAA method list (e.g., `dot1x authentication`), and if that list is not yet defined, the port will not have a valid authentication method, causing authentication to fail or the configuration to be rejected. Additionally, although AAA is enabled first here, RADIUS must be reachable and the authentication list must exist before the port is placed into 802.1X mode; otherwise the switch cannot determine which server to query.
- ✗
Configure RADIUS server, create an authentication list for 802.1X, enable AAA globally, apply 802.1X to the port
Why it's wrong here
The critical flaw in this order is that the authentication list is created before AAA is enabled globally. The authentication list is stored under AAA configuration, and creating it requires `aaa new-model` to be active; without AAA being enabled, the commands to define a method list will be rejected or will not take effect. Even if the commands were accepted, RADIUS is already configured first, but the authentication list would be invalid until AAA is enabled, and then applying 802.1X to the port would still occur after the list is created—yet the list is unusable because AAA was not active when it was defined. A proper sequence must have `aaa new-model` before any authentication list creation, and the port-level enablement should be last.
- ✗
Apply 802.1X to the port, configure RADIUS server, enable AAA globally, create an authentication list for 802.1X
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because applying 802.1X to the port should be the final step after all other configurations are in place. Doing it first would result in errors as the required AAA and RADIUS settings are missing.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The 200-301 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓Configure RADIUS server, enable AAA globally, create an authentication list for 802.1X, apply 802.1X to the portCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
This is the correct order: first define the RADIUS server, then enable AAA, create an authentication list for 802.1X, and finally apply 802.1X to the port. This sequence ensures that AAA and RADIUS are ready before configuring port authentication.
✗Enable AAA globally, configure RADIUS server, apply 802.1X to the port, create an authentication list for 802.1XWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The authentication list must be created before applying 802.1X to the port; otherwise, the switch does not know which method to use for authentication.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think that enabling AAA first is enough and that the authentication list can be created later, but the port configuration references the list.
✗Configure RADIUS server, create an authentication list for 802.1X, enable AAA globally, apply 802.1X to the portWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
AAA must be enabled globally before creating authentication lists; otherwise, the switch will reject the command.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think that the authentication list can be created independently of AAA, but it is a subcomponent of AAA.
✗Apply 802.1X to the port, configure RADIUS server, enable AAA globally, create an authentication list for 802.1XWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Applying 802.1X to the port requires that AAA and RADIUS are already configured; otherwise, the command may fail or the port will not authenticate properly.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think that applying 802.1X to the port is a simple interface command that can be done at any time, but it depends on underlying AAA configuration.
Analysis generated from the official 200-301blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Quick reference
AAA Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Port(s) | Encryption | Transport | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RADIUS | 1812 / 1813 | Password only | UDP | Network access control |
| TACACS+ | 49 | Full packet | TCP | Device administration |
| Diameter | 3868 | Full session | TCP / SCTP | Carrier / mobile networks |
| 802.1X | — | EAP-based | Layer 2 | Port-based access control |
TACACS+ encrypts the entire packet; RADIUS only encrypts the password field — a key exam distinction.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Configuring AAA with TACACS+ and RADIUS on IOS XE
Key term
802.1X
802.1X is a network access control standard that authenticates devices before they are allowed to connect to a wired or wireless network.
Key term
RADIUS
RADIUS is a network protocol that provides centralized authentication, authorization, and accounting management for users who connect and use a network service.
About these practice questions
This 200-301 question is part of Courseiva's 1,389-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 200-301 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-301 exam.