Question 1hardmulti select
Full question →hardmulti selectObjective-mapped
Which two statements about AAA on Cisco devices are correct? Choose two.
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
Best answer
Authentication verifies identity
Authentication answers who the user is.
B
Best answer
Authorization determines what an authenticated user is allowed to do
Authorization controls permitted actions or command access.
C
Distractor review
Accounting replaces the need for local usernames entirely
Accounting records activity; it does not replace authentication sources by itself.
D
Distractor review
AAA can only be used with RADIUS and not TACACS+
AAA supports TACACS+ as well.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common exam trap is assuming that accounting replaces the need for local usernames or authentication sources. Accounting only logs user activities and does not authenticate or authorize users. Another frequent mistake is believing AAA supports only RADIUS and not TACACS+. Cisco AAA supports both protocols, with TACACS+ often preferred for device administration due to its full payload encryption and separation of AAA functions. Misunderstanding these roles can lead to incorrect answer choices and confusion during the exam.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
AAA (Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting) is a security framework used on Cisco devices to control user access and track user activities. Authentication verifies the identity of a user or device attempting to access the network, ensuring only legitimate users gain entry. Authorization then determines what resources or commands an authenticated user is permitted to access, enforcing granular control over network operations. Accounting records user activities and resource usage for auditing and compliance purposes. In Cisco implementations, AAA can integrate with external servers such as RADIUS or TACACS+ to centralize and enhance security management. Authentication confirms who the user is, typically by validating credentials against a database. Authorization follows by enforcing policies that specify which commands or network resources the user can access. Accounting logs these interactions for later review. This separation of duties improves security and operational control, especially in complex network environments. A common exam trap is confusing the roles of AAA components, such as assuming accounting replaces the need for local usernames or that AAA only supports RADIUS. In reality, accounting only logs activities and does not replace authentication methods. Additionally, AAA supports both RADIUS and TACACS+, with TACACS+ preferred for device administration because it encrypts the entire payload and separates authentication, authorization, and accounting functions. Understanding these distinctions is critical for Cisco CCNA exam success and practical network security management.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication on Cisco devices verifies the identity of users or devices attempting to access network resources.
- Authorization determines the specific commands or network resources an authenticated user is allowed to access or execute.
- Accounting records user activities and resource usage to provide audit trails and support compliance requirements.
- AAA on Cisco devices can integrate with external servers like RADIUS and TACACS+ to centralize authentication and authorization.
- TACACS+ protocol encrypts the entire payload and separates authentication, authorization, and accounting functions for enhanced security.
- Accounting does not replace authentication or authorization but complements them by logging user actions.
- AAA improves network security by breaking access control into distinct, manageable functions that enforce identity and permissions.
- Cisco devices use AAA to enforce granular access control policies and track user activities for network administration.
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?
Authentication on Cisco devices verifies the identity of users or devices attempting to access network resources.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Authentication verifies identity — AAA breaks access control into authentication, authorization, and accounting. TACACS+ is commonly preferred for device administration because it separates all three functions and encrypts the full payload.
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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