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Question 929 of 1,052
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CCNA Practice Question: Which TWO statements correctly describe the…
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of 200-301 exam topics. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Which TWO statements correctly describe the differences between RADIUS and TACACS+ when configuring AAA on IOS-XE?
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
✓
TACACS+ uses TCP port 49, while RADIUS uses UDP ports 1812 and 1813.
RADIUS and TACACS+ are both AAA protocols but differ in encryption, transport, and command authorization. RADIUS encrypts only the password in the access-request packet, uses UDP (port 1812/1813), and does not support per-command authorization. TACACS+ encrypts the entire packet body, uses TCP (port 49), and supports separate command authorization. Both can be used for authentication and accounting, but only TACACS+ provides detailed command-level authorization.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
RADIUS encrypts the entire packet body, while TACACS+ encrypts only the password.
- ✓
TACACS+ uses TCP port 49, while RADIUS uses UDP ports 1812 and 1813.
- ✗
RADIUS supports command-level authorization, whereas TACACS+ does not.
- ✓
TACACS+ separates authentication, authorization, and accounting into distinct processes, while RADIUS combines authentication and authorization.
- ✓
Both RADIUS and TACACS+ can be used for 802.1X port-based authentication on IOS-XE.
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.
✓TACACS+ uses TCP port 49, while RADIUS uses UDP ports 1812 and 1813.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
TACACS+ uses TCP for reliable transport on port 49, while RADIUS uses UDP (port 1812 for authentication/authorization, 1813 for accounting).
✗RADIUS encrypts the entire packet body, while TACACS+ encrypts only the password.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The encryption behavior is opposite to what is described.
✗RADIUS supports command-level authorization, whereas TACACS+ does not.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The statement reverses the capability: TACACS+ supports command authorization, not RADIUS.
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?”
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
TACACS+ supports per-command authorization (via the 'aaa authorization commands' feature), while RADIUS does not have native command-level authorization.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related 200-301 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
Authentication checks who the user is.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: TACACS+ uses TCP port 49, while RADIUS uses UDP ports 1812 and 1813. — RADIUS and TACACS+ are both AAA protocols but differ in encryption, transport, and command authorization. RADIUS encrypts only the password in the access-request packet, uses UDP (port 1812/1813), and does not support per-command authorization. TACACS+ encrypts the entire packet body, uses TCP (port 49), and supports separate command authorization. Both can be used for authentication and accounting, but only TACACS+ provides detailed command-level authorization.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related 200-301 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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