Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
In AAA, what does the second A stand for?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Distractor review
Application
Application is not part of AAA.
B
Distractor review
Accounting
Accounting is the third A, not the second.
C
Best answer
Authorization
Correct. The second A is Authorization.
D
Distractor review
Auditing
Auditing may relate operationally, but it is not the AAA term here.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A frequent exam trap is mistaking the second A in AAA for Accounting or Auditing. Many candidates confuse Authorization with Accounting because both start with 'A' and relate to user management. However, Authorization specifically controls what an authenticated user is allowed to do, while Accounting tracks user activities for logging and auditing purposes. Selecting Accounting as the second A overlooks the sequential process where permissions are granted immediately after authentication, before any activity is logged. This confusion can lead to incorrect answers and misunderstanding of Cisco AAA implementation.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
AAA is a fundamental security framework used in Cisco networking to control user access and track user activities. The acronym AAA stands for Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting. Authentication verifies the identity of a user or device attempting to access the network, ensuring only legitimate entities gain entry. Authorization then determines the specific resources and actions the authenticated user is permitted to access or perform, enforcing policy-based access control. Finally, Accounting logs the user’s activities for auditing and compliance purposes. In the AAA process, the second A, Authorization, plays a critical role by defining what an authenticated user can do within the network environment. After successful authentication, the network device checks the user’s privileges and permissions against configured policies or access control lists (ACLs). This step ensures users cannot exceed their authorized capabilities, such as accessing restricted VLANs, modifying configurations, or running privileged commands. Cisco devices use AAA servers like RADIUS or TACACS+ to centralize and enforce these authorization policies. A common exam trap is confusing Authorization with Accounting or other security terms like Auditing. Authorization is specifically about permission control after identity verification, whereas Accounting is about tracking user actions. In practical Cisco network deployments, misconfiguring AAA can lead to unauthorized access or insufficient logging, impacting network security and compliance. Understanding the distinct role of Authorization within AAA is essential for designing secure network access controls and passing the CCNA exam.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- AAA stands for Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting, forming a comprehensive security framework for network access control.
- Authentication verifies the identity of users or devices before granting network access.
- Authorization determines the specific permissions and access levels granted to authenticated users within the network.
- Accounting records user activities and resource usage for auditing and compliance purposes.
- Cisco devices use AAA protocols like RADIUS and TACACS+ to centralize authentication, authorization, and accounting functions.
- Authorization policies enforce access control by defining what authenticated users can and cannot do on network devices.
- Confusing Authorization with Accounting or Auditing is a common exam mistake that undermines understanding of AAA processes.
- Proper AAA configuration ensures secure network access, prevents unauthorized actions, and supports detailed activity logging.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
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More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A router learns the same prefix from both OSPF and EIGRP. Which route is installed by default?
Question 2
A router shows this output: R1#show ip ospf neighbor Neighbor ID Pri State Dead Time Address Interface 10.1.1.2 1 FULL/DR 00:00:34 192.168.12.2 GigabitEthernet0/0 10.1.1.3 1 2WAY/DROTHER 00:00:39 192.168.12.3 GigabitEthernet0/0 Which statement is correct?
Question 3
What is the OSPF metric called?
Question 4
A non-root switch has two uplinks toward the root bridge. One path has a lower total STP cost than the other. What role will the lower-cost uplink have?
Question 5
A router interface applies this ACL inbound: 10 deny tcp any any eq 80 20 permit ip any any A user reports that web browsing to a server by IP address fails, but ping works. Which statement best explains the behavior?
Question 6
A router learns route 198.51.100.0/24 from OSPF with AD 110 and also has a static route to the same prefix configured with AD 150. Which route is installed?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
AAA stands for Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting, forming a comprehensive security framework for network access control.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Authorization — AAA stands for Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting. Authorization determines what an authenticated user is allowed to do.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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