The correct configuration requires `aaa authentication dot1x default group radius` and `aaa authentication login default group radius local` because 802.1X relies on AAA to authorize the port, and without a local user database, the default local method leaves the interface stuck in an unauthorized state. The RADIUS server at 10.0.0.2 with key 'cisco123' must be explicitly referenced in the dot1x authentication list, while the login list ensures RADIUS is tried first with local fallback for administrative access. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this tests your understanding that 802.1X port authorization is separate from login authentication—a common trap is configuring only the login method or forgetting to apply the dot1x list. Always verify the RADIUS server is reachable and the key matches exactly, as a mismatch silently keeps the port unauthorized. Memory tip: "Dot1x needs its own list; login is for the console, not the switchport."
CCNA Network Services and Security Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of network services and security. 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.
Network Topology
You are connected to R1. Configure AAA with a RADIUS server at 10.0.0.2 using key 'cisco123' for authentication. Then troubleshoot why 802.1X on interface GigabitEthernet0/1 remains in unauthorized state. Ensure that the default login authentication uses RADIUS first, then local fallback, and fix any configuration issues that prevent 802.1X from working.
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
R1# show running-config | section aaa
aaa new-model
aaa authentication login default local
aaa authentication dot1x default local
aaa authorization network default local
!
radius server RADIUS
address ipv4 10.0.0.2 auth-port 1812 acct-port 1813
key cisco123
!
interface GigabitEthernet0/1
switchport mode access
dot1x pae authenticator
spanning-tree portfast
!
R1# show dot1x interface GigabitEthernet0/1
dot1x status for interface Gi0/1
PAE = AUTHENTICATOR
portControl = AUTO
controlDirection = Both
hostMode = SINGLE_HOST
reAuthentication = Disabled
quietPeriod = 60
serverTimeout = 30
suppTimeout = 30
reAuthPeriod = 3600 (Locally configured)
reAuthMax = 2
maxReq = 2
txPeriod = 30
rateLimitPeriod = 0
Session:
Authen Method = NONE
Auth SM State = DISCONNECTED
Auth BEND SM State = IDLE
Port Status = UNAUTHORIZED
Wait Client = TRUE
A
Configure 'aaa authentication dot1x default group radius' and 'aaa authentication login default group radius local' and ensure the RADIUS server is reachable with the correct key.
This is correct because 802.1X requires AAA authentication method list for dot1x to use RADIUS, and the login default should use RADIUS with local fallback. The RADIUS server must be reachable and the key must match for authentication to succeed.
B
Configure 'aaa authentication dot1x default local' and 'aaa authentication login default local' and create a local user with the same credentials as the RADIUS server.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because using 'local' for dot1x authentication requires a local user database, which is not configured. Also, the login default should use RADIUS first, not local. The RADIUS server is already configured but not being used.
C
Configure 'aaa authentication dot1x default group radius' and 'aaa authentication login default local' and ensure the RADIUS server key is 'cisco123'.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because the login default authentication should use RADIUS first with local fallback, not just local. The dot1x configuration is correct, but the login method list is wrong, which may affect administrative access but not 802.1X directly.
D
Configure 'aaa authentication dot1x default group radius' and 'aaa authentication login default group radius local' and change the RADIUS server key to 'cisco'.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because the RADIUS server key must match the server's configured key, which is 'cisco123', not 'cisco'. Changing the key would cause authentication failures.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Configure 'aaa authentication dot1x default group radius' and 'aaa authentication login default group radius local' and ensure the RADIUS server is reachable with the correct key.
The 802.1X port is stuck in UNAUTHORIZED because AAA authentication for dot1x is set to 'local' but there is no local user database configured. Additionally, the RADIUS server is configured but not used for dot1x or login. The fix is to change 'aaa authentication dot1x default' to use group radius, and 'aaa authentication login default' to group radius local for fallback. Also ensure the RADIUS server is reachable and the key matches the server.
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.
✓
Configure 'aaa authentication dot1x default group radius' and 'aaa authentication login default group radius local' and ensure the RADIUS server is reachable with the correct key.
Why this is correct
This is correct because 802.1X requires AAA authentication method list for dot1x to use RADIUS, and the login default should use RADIUS with local fallback. The RADIUS server must be reachable and the key must match for authentication to succeed.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✗
Configure 'aaa authentication dot1x default local' and 'aaa authentication login default local' and create a local user with the same credentials as the RADIUS server.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because using 'local' for dot1x authentication requires a local user database, which is not configured. Also, the login default should use RADIUS first, not local. The RADIUS server is already configured but not being used.
✗
Configure 'aaa authentication dot1x default group radius' and 'aaa authentication login default local' and ensure the RADIUS server key is 'cisco123'.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because the login default authentication should use RADIUS first with local fallback, not just local. The dot1x configuration is correct, but the login method list is wrong, which may affect administrative access but not 802.1X directly.
✗
Configure 'aaa authentication dot1x default group radius' and 'aaa authentication login default group radius local' and change the RADIUS server key to 'cisco'.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because the RADIUS server key must match the server's configured key, which is 'cisco123', not 'cisco'. Changing the key would cause authentication failures.
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 'aaa authentication dot1x default group radius' and 'aaa authentication login default group radius local' and ensure the RADIUS server is reachable with the correct key.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
This is correct because 802.1X requires AAA authentication method list for dot1x to use RADIUS, and the login default should use RADIUS with local fallback. The RADIUS server must be reachable and the key must match for authentication to succeed.
✗Configure 'aaa authentication dot1x default local' and 'aaa authentication login default local' and create a local user with the same credentials as the RADIUS server.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error is that 802.1X should use RADIUS for authentication, not local, and the login default should have RADIUS as the primary method.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think that since RADIUS is configured, using 'local' would fall back to RADIUS, but 'local' means local user database only, not RADIUS.
✗Configure 'aaa authentication dot1x default group radius' and 'aaa authentication login default local' and ensure the RADIUS server key is 'cisco123'.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error is that the login default should be 'group radius local' to meet the requirement of RADIUS first then local fallback.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might focus only on 802.1X and overlook the login authentication requirement, thinking local is sufficient for login.
✗Configure 'aaa authentication dot1x default group radius' and 'aaa authentication login default group radius local' and change the RADIUS server key to 'cisco'.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error is that the key must match exactly; changing it to 'cisco' would break communication with the RADIUS server.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think the key can be any value as long as it's consistent, but the question specifies the key is 'cisco123', so it must be used as given.
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 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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 200-301 question in full detail.
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.
Network Services and Security — This question tests Network Services and Security — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure 'aaa authentication dot1x default group radius' and 'aaa authentication login default group radius local' and ensure the RADIUS server is reachable with the correct key. — The 802.1X port is stuck in UNAUTHORIZED because AAA authentication for dot1x is set to 'local' but there is no local user database configured. Additionally, the RADIUS server is configured but not used for dot1x or login. The fix is to change 'aaa authentication dot1x default' to use group radius, and 'aaa authentication login default' to group radius local for fallback. Also ensure the RADIUS server is reachable and the key matches the server.
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: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
About these practice questions
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These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. You are connected to R1. Configure AAA with RADIUS authentication for all login methods. The RADIUS server is at 203.0.113.10 with key 'CiscoKey123'. Then troubleshoot why the 802.1X port on interface GigabitEthernet0/1 remains in unauthorized state. The port is configured for dot1x port-control auto, but authentication fails. Ensure that the AAA authentication default method uses RADIUS first, then local fallback, and that the RADIUS server is correctly reachable and configured for authentication.
hard
✓ A.Configure RADIUS server with IP 203.0.113.10 and key 'CiscoKey123', then configure AAA authentication login default group radius local.
B.Change the interface port-control to 'force-authorized' to bypass authentication and bring the port up.
C.Configure AAA authentication login default local radius to use local authentication first, then RADIUS.
D.Add the command 'aaa new-model' and configure the RADIUS server with IP 203.0.113.10 and key 'CiscoKey123'.
Why A: The issue is twofold: First, AAA is not fully configured — 'aaa new-model' is present but no RADIUS server or authentication method list is defined. Second, the RADIUS server configuration is missing. To fix, configure the RADIUS server with IP and key using the 'radius server' block, then create an AAA authentication login default list that uses RADIUS first then local fallback (e.g., 'aaa authentication login default group radius local'). The port configuration is correct for 802.1X, but without AAA and RADIUS, authentication cannot proceed; the switch will not contact the RADIUS server, causing the port to remain unauthorized. Option D is incorrect because while 'aaa new-model' and RADIUS server configuration are necessary steps, they alone do not create an authentication method list; without 'aaa authentication login default group radius local', the RADIUS server is never referenced for login authentication.
Last reviewed: Jun 6, 2026
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