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Question 1,299 of 1,052
hardmultiple choiceObjective-mapped
CCNA Practice Question: A network administrator has configured 802.1X…
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of 200-301 exam topics. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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
SW1#show authentication sessions interface GigabitEthernet0/1 details Interface: GigabitEthernet0/1 MAC Address: aaaa.bbbb.cccc IP Address: 192.168.1.100 Status: Authorized Domain: DATA Oper host mode: single-host Oper control dir: both Session timeout: N/A Common Session ID: 0A1234567890ABCDEF123456 Acct Session ID: 0x00000001 Handle: 0x00000001 Runnable methods list: Method State dot1x Authc Success SW1#show dot1x interface GigabitEthernet0/1 details Dot1x Info for GigabitEthernet0/1 ----------------------------- PAE = AUTHENTICATOR PortControl = AUTO PortStatus = AUTHORIZED ReAuthentication = Disabled QuietPeriod = 60 ServerTimeout = 30 SuppTimeout = 30 ReAuthMax = 2 MaxReq = 2 TxPeriod = 30 RateLimitPeriod = 0 SW1#show running-config interface GigabitEthernet0/1 Building configuration... Current configuration : 200 bytes ! interface GigabitEthernet0/1 switchport mode access switchport access vlan 10 authentication port-control auto dot1x pae authenticator spanning-tree portfast end
A network administrator has configured 802.1X port-based authentication on a Cisco IOS-XE switch port connected to a single PC. The port is in the 'authorized' state, but the PC cannot reach any network resources beyond its directly connected switch. The switch is configured to use RADIUS for authentication. What is the most likely cause of this issue?
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.
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 RADIUS server is not returning a VLAN assignment, so the port remains in the default VLAN, but the PC needs to be in a different VLAN to reach resources.
The port is authorized but the PC cannot communicate beyond the switch. The RADIUS server likely returned a downloadable ACL (dACL) that restricts traffic, but the switch is not applying it because the 'device-traffic-class' is not configured. Without this command, the switch ignores the dACL and allows all traffic, so this is not the issue. The correct answer is that the RADIUS server did not return a VLAN assignment, and the port is using the default VLAN (10) which may be the correct VLAN, but the problem is that the RADIUS server must return the VLAN ID in the RADIUS Access-Accept. The 'show authentication sessions' output does not show a VLAN assigned, indicating the RADIUS server did not include the VLAN attribute. The fix is to configure the RADIUS server to send the VLAN ID for this user.
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 switchport is in access mode and not trunking, so the PC cannot reach other VLANs.
Why it's wrong here
The PC is in VLAN 10, which should allow communication within that VLAN. The issue is beyond the local VLAN, so this is not the cause.
- ✓
The RADIUS server is not returning a VLAN assignment, so the port remains in the default VLAN, but the PC needs to be in a different VLAN to reach resources.
Why this is correct
The 'show authentication sessions' output does not show a VLAN assigned, meaning the RADIUS server did not include the VLAN attribute. The switch uses the configured access VLAN (10) by default. If the PC needs to be in a different VLAN to reach resources, this is the root cause.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✗
The switch is not configured with 'aaa new-model' and therefore AAA is not enabled.
Why it's wrong here
The port is authorized, which means AAA is working. The 'aaa new-model' command is likely already configured globally.
- ✗
The PC is not configured for 802.1X supplicant, so it cannot authenticate properly.
Why it's wrong here
The port is authorized, meaning the PC successfully authenticated. The issue is after authentication, not during.
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 RADIUS server is not returning a VLAN assignment, so the port remains in the default VLAN, but the PC needs to be in a different VLAN to reach resources.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
The 'show authentication sessions' output does not show a VLAN assigned, meaning the RADIUS server did not include the VLAN attribute. The switch uses the configured access VLAN (10) by default. If the PC needs to be in a different VLAN to reach resources, this is the root cause.
✗The switchport is in access mode and not trunking, so the PC cannot reach other VLANs.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Access mode is correct for a single PC; trunking is not needed for basic connectivity.
✗The switch is not configured with 'aaa new-model' and therefore AAA is not enabled.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
AAA is functioning, as evidenced by successful authentication.
✗The PC is not configured for 802.1X supplicant, so it cannot authenticate properly.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The port status is 'Authorized', indicating successful authentication.
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
The port is authorized, which means AAA is working. The 'aaa new-model' command is likely already configured globally.
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 RADIUS server is not returning a VLAN assignment, so the port remains in the default VLAN, but the PC needs to be in a different VLAN to reach resources. — The port is authorized but the PC cannot communicate beyond the switch. The RADIUS server likely returned a downloadable ACL (dACL) that restricts traffic, but the switch is not applying it because the 'device-traffic-class' is not configured. Without this command, the switch ignores the dACL and allows all traffic, so this is not the issue. The correct answer is that the RADIUS server did not return a VLAN assignment, and the port is using the default VLAN (10) which may be the correct VLAN, but the problem is that the RADIUS server must return the VLAN ID in the RADIUS Access-Accept. The 'show authentication sessions' output does not show a VLAN assigned, indicating the RADIUS server did not include the VLAN attribute. The fix is to configure the RADIUS server to send the VLAN ID for this user.
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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