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Question 1,078 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 configuration and verification of AAA with RADIUS/TACACS+ and 802.1X port-based authentication 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
✓
The switch port must be configured as an access port and the command 'authentication port-control auto' must be applied.
For 802.1X port-based authentication, the switch port must be configured as an access port with the 'authentication port-control auto' command, which enables the port to start in the unauthorized state and initiate authentication. Additionally, AAA authentication must be configured for 'dot1x' using a method list that references a RADIUS server group, as RADIUS is the standard protocol for 802.1X. TACACS+ is not used for 802.1X; it is for device administration. The 'aaa new-model' command is required globally, but alone does not enable 802.1X. Also, 802.1X can be used on access ports, not trunk ports (though some advanced configurations exist, the standard requires an access port). Finally, the 'dot1x system-auth-control' command must be enabled globally for 802.1X to function.
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.
- ✓
The switch port must be configured as an access port and the command 'authentication port-control auto' must be applied.
Why this is correct
This is correct because 802.1X requires the port to be an access port and the 'auto' setting places the port in the unauthorized state initially, triggering the authentication process.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✗
AAA authentication for 802.1X must be configured using TACACS+ as the protocol of choice.
- ✗
The global command 'aaa new-model' is sufficient to enable 802.1X on all interfaces.
- ✓
RADIUS is the recommended protocol for 802.1X authentication because it supports EAP and is widely used in network access control.
- ✗
802.1X can be configured on a trunk port to authenticate multiple VLANs simultaneously.
Why it's wrong here
802.1X is designed for access ports, not trunk ports. While there are advanced features like multi-domain authentication, the standard configuration requires an access port. Trunk ports are not supported for 802.1X in typical implementations.
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.
✓The switch port must be configured as an access port and the command 'authentication port-control auto' must be applied.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
This is correct because 802.1X requires the port to be an access port and the 'auto' setting places the port in the unauthorized state initially, triggering the authentication process.
✗AAA authentication for 802.1X must be configured using TACACS+ as the protocol of choice.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
TACACS+ does not support the EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol) frames needed for 802.1X; RADIUS is the required protocol.
✗The global command 'aaa new-model' is sufficient to enable 802.1X on all interfaces.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Without 'dot1x system-auth-control' and per-interface authentication settings, 802.1X will not operate.
✗802.1X can be configured on a trunk port to authenticate multiple VLANs simultaneously.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Trunk ports carry multiple VLANs and do not support the port-based authentication model of 802.1X without special configurations that are not part of the standard CCNA scope.
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
While 'aaa new-model' is required to enable AAA services globally, it alone does not enable 802.1X. Additional commands like 'dot1x system-auth-control' and interface-specific configurations are needed.
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 help-desk technician troubleshoots why a newly connected PC cannot reach shared printers on the same floor. The cable is good, the switch port is active, but the PC is in VLAN 20 and the printers are in VLAN 10. The uplink trunk only allows VLAN 10. A trunk being up does not mean every VLAN crosses it.
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: The switch port must be configured as an access port and the command 'authentication port-control auto' must be applied. — For 802.1X port-based authentication, the switch port must be configured as an access port with the 'authentication port-control auto' command, which enables the port to start in the unauthorized state and initiate authentication. Additionally, AAA authentication must be configured for 'dot1x' using a method list that references a RADIUS server group, as RADIUS is the standard protocol for 802.1X. TACACS+ is not used for 802.1X; it is for device administration. The 'aaa new-model' command is required globally, but alone does not enable 802.1X. Also, 802.1X can be used on access ports, not trunk ports (though some advanced configurations exist, the standard requires an access port). Finally, the 'dot1x system-auth-control' command must be enabled globally for 802.1X to function.
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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