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CCNA Practice Question: An engineer configures 802.1X port-based…

This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of an engineer configures 802.1x port-based…. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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.

Exhibit

Interface: GigabitEthernet1/0/1
MAC Address: aaaa.bbbb.cccc
IP Address: Unknown
Status: Authz Success
Domain: DATA
Oper host mode: single-host
Oper control dir: both
Session timeout: N/A
Common Session ID: 0A1B2C3D4E5F6G7H8I9J
Acct Session ID: 0x00000001
Handle: 0x81000001

Current Policy: DEFAULT

Server Policies:
    Vlan Group: Vlan: 10

Method status list:
   Method           State
   dot1x            Authc Success

An engineer configures 802.1X port-based authentication on a Cisco IOS-XE switch for a voice VLAN deployment. After applying the configuration, IP phones on interface GigabitEthernet1/0/1 fail to receive a voice VLAN and remain in an unauthenticated state. The switchport is configured as an access port with voice VLAN 10. The engineer runs 'show authentication sessions interface Gi1/0/1 details' and sees the output below. What is the most likely cause of the failure?

Clue words in this question

Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.

  • Clue: "most likely"

    Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.

Question 1hardmultiple choice
Full question →

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 'authentication host-mode multi-domain' on the interface

The output shows that 802.1X authentication succeeded and the server returned a VLAN policy of Vlan 10, but the status shows 'Domain: DATA'. For IP phones, the voice domain must be authorized separately. The switch's default behavior is to place the port in single-host mode, which does not allow separate voice and data domains. The correct fix is to configure 'authentication host-mode multi-domain' to enable separate authorization for voice and data devices on the same port. Option B is correct because it explicitly enables multi-domain mode, allowing the phone to receive the voice VLAN. Option A is incorrect because the phone is already authenticated; re-authentication would not change the domain. Option C is incorrect because the voice VLAN is already configured. Option D is incorrect because 'authentication port-control auto' is already implied by the successful authentication.

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.

  • ✗

    Re-authenticate the phone using 'dot1x re-authenticate interface Gi1/0/1'

    Why it's wrong here

    Re-authentication would not change the domain assignment because the port is still in single-host mode.

  • ✓

    Configure 'authentication host-mode multi-domain' on the interface

    Why this is correct

    This command allows the switch to authorize both data and voice domains separately on the same port, enabling the phone to receive the voice VLAN.

    Clue confirmation

    The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.

    Related concept

    Authentication checks who the user is.

  • ✗

    Add 'switchport voice vlan 10' under the interface

    Why it's wrong here

    The voice VLAN is already configured; the issue is not the VLAN assignment but the authentication domain.

  • ✗

    Change the port to 'authentication port-control force-authorized'

    Why it's wrong here

    This would bypass 802.1X entirely, which is not desired for a secure deployment and would not resolve the domain issue.

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 'authentication host-mode multi-domain' on the interfaceCorrect answer▾

Why this is correct

This command allows the switch to authorize both data and voice domains separately on the same port, enabling the phone to receive the voice VLAN.

✗Re-authenticate the phone using 'dot1x re-authenticate interface Gi1/0/1'Wrong answer — click to see why▾

Why this is wrong here

The phone is already authenticated successfully; the issue is that the voice domain is not being applied due to the host mode.

✗Add 'switchport voice vlan 10' under the interfaceWrong answer — click to see why▾

Why this is wrong here

The exhibit shows the server is pushing VLAN 10, but it is being applied to the data domain, not the voice domain.

✗Change the port to 'authentication port-control force-authorized'Wrong answer — click to see why▾

Why this is wrong here

Force-authorized would disable authentication, not fix the multi-domain requirement.

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.

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: Configure 'authentication host-mode multi-domain' on the interface — The output shows that 802.1X authentication succeeded and the server returned a VLAN policy of Vlan 10, but the status shows 'Domain: DATA'. For IP phones, the voice domain must be authorized separately. The switch's default behavior is to place the port in single-host mode, which does not allow separate voice and data domains. The correct fix is to configure 'authentication host-mode multi-domain' to enable separate authorization for voice and data devices on the same port. Option B is correct because it explicitly enables multi-domain mode, allowing the phone to receive the voice VLAN. Option A is incorrect because the phone is already authenticated; re-authentication would not change the domain. Option C is incorrect because the voice VLAN is already configured. Option D is incorrect because 'authentication port-control auto' is already implied by the successful authentication.

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.

Are there clue words in this question I should notice?

Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Authentication checks who the user is.

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