- A
Enter global configuration mode, create WLAN profile, configure WPA3-Personal (SAE) security, enable WLAN, client associates, client obtains IP via DHCP.
This is the correct order per Cisco IOS-XE WLC CLI: first enter global config, create the WLAN profile, set security (WPA3-Personal/SAE), enable the WLAN, then the client associates and gets an IP via DHCP.
- B
Enter global configuration mode, create WLAN profile, enable WLAN, configure WPA3-Personal (SAE) security, client associates, client obtains IP via DHCP.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because security must be configured before enabling the WLAN; enabling a WLAN without security first can leave it open temporarily.
- C
Enter global configuration mode, configure WPA3-Personal (SAE) security, create WLAN profile, enable WLAN, client associates, client obtains IP via DHCP.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because the WLAN profile must be created before security can be applied to it; security parameters are part of the WLAN profile configuration.
- D
Enter global configuration mode, create WLAN profile, configure WPA3-Personal (SAE) security, enable WLAN, client obtains IP via DHCP, client associates.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because the client must associate with the WLAN before obtaining an IP via DHCP; DHCP occurs after association.
Quick Answer
The correct order to configure a WPA3-Personal SSID on a Cisco WLC begins with entering global configuration mode, then creating the WLAN profile, configuring WPA3-Personal (SAE) security, enabling the WLAN, followed by the client associating, and finally the client obtaining an IP via DHCP. This sequence is technically required because the IOS-XE CLI enforces a strict dependency: you must first establish the WLAN container and its parameters before applying the Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE) handshake for WPA3-Personal, and the WLAN must be administratively enabled before a client can attempt association and DHCP lease acquisition. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this drag-and-drop task tests your understanding of the logical configuration workflow, often with a common trap of placing DHCP before client association or enabling the WLAN before setting security. A reliable memory tip is the mnemonic “G-C-S-E-A-D” (Global, Create, Security, Enable, Associate, DHCP) to lock in the correct progression.
CCNA Network Infrastructure and Connectivity Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of network infrastructure and connectivity. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
Drag and drop the following steps into the correct order to configure a new WLAN on a Cisco WLC using IOS-XE CLI, including WPA3-Personal security, and to complete a wireless client association with DHCP.
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
Enter global configuration mode, create WLAN profile, configure WPA3-Personal (SAE) security, enable WLAN, client associates, client obtains IP via DHCP.
The configuration order follows the Cisco IOS-XE WLC CLI: first enter global config, create the WLAN profile, set security (WPA3-Personal/SAE), enable the WLAN, then the client associates and gets an IP via DHCP.
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.
- ✓
Enter global configuration mode, create WLAN profile, configure WPA3-Personal (SAE) security, enable WLAN, client associates, client obtains IP via DHCP.
- ✗
Enter global configuration mode, create WLAN profile, enable WLAN, configure WPA3-Personal (SAE) security, client associates, client obtains IP via DHCP.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because security must be configured before enabling the WLAN; enabling a WLAN without security first can leave it open temporarily.
- ✗
Enter global configuration mode, configure WPA3-Personal (SAE) security, create WLAN profile, enable WLAN, client associates, client obtains IP via DHCP.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because the WLAN profile must be created before security can be applied to it; security parameters are part of the WLAN profile configuration.
- ✗
Enter global configuration mode, create WLAN profile, configure WPA3-Personal (SAE) security, enable WLAN, client obtains IP via DHCP, client associates.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because the client must associate with the WLAN before obtaining an IP via DHCP; DHCP occurs after association.
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.
✓Enter global configuration mode, create WLAN profile, configure WPA3-Personal (SAE) security, enable WLAN, client associates, client obtains IP via DHCP.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
This is the correct order per Cisco IOS-XE WLC CLI: first enter global config, create the WLAN profile, set security (WPA3-Personal/SAE), enable the WLAN, then the client associates and gets an IP via DHCP.
✗Enter global configuration mode, create WLAN profile, enable WLAN, configure WPA3-Personal (SAE) security, client associates, client obtains IP via DHCP.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error is that enabling the WLAN before configuring security is not allowed; the WLAN must have security parameters set before it can be enabled.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think enabling the WLAN early is fine because they plan to configure security later, but the CLI requires security configuration before enabling.
✗Enter global configuration mode, configure WPA3-Personal (SAE) security, create WLAN profile, enable WLAN, client associates, client obtains IP via DHCP.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error is that security configuration is done within the WLAN profile, so the profile must exist first.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think security can be configured globally or before creating the WLAN, but it is profile-specific.
✗Enter global configuration mode, create WLAN profile, configure WPA3-Personal (SAE) security, enable WLAN, client obtains IP via DHCP, client associates.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error is that DHCP IP assignment happens after the client successfully associates with the WLAN, not before.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think DHCP is a prerequisite for association, but association must complete first for the client to communicate with the DHCP server.
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 practitioner preparing for the 200-301 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
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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Network Infrastructure and Connectivity — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
Network Infrastructure and Connectivity — This question tests Network Infrastructure and Connectivity — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enter global configuration mode, create WLAN profile, configure WPA3-Personal (SAE) security, enable WLAN, client associates, client obtains IP via DHCP. — The configuration order follows the Cisco IOS-XE WLC CLI: first enter global config, create the WLAN profile, set security (WPA3-Personal/SAE), enable the WLAN, then the client associates and gets an IP via DHCP.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
3 more ways this is tested on 200-301
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. Drag and drop the following steps into the correct order to configure an SSID on a WLC and complete a WPA3-Personal client association with DHCP address assignment.
medium- A.Create an SSID profile, enable the SSID, configure WPA3-Personal security, configure DHCP scope, client associates and obtains IP address.
- ✓ B.Configure DHCP scope, create an SSID profile, enable the SSID, configure WPA3-Personal security, client associates and obtains IP address.
- ✓ C.Create an SSID profile, configure WPA3-Personal security, enable the SSID, configure DHCP scope, client associates and obtains IP address.
- ✓ D.Create an SSID profile, enable the SSID, configure DHCP scope, configure WPA3-Personal security, client associates and obtains IP address.
Why B: The correct sequence is to first create the SSID profile, then configure WPA3-Personal security to ensure the WLAN is protected before it becomes active, then enable the SSID, set up the DHCP scope for address assignment, and finally allow the client to associate and obtain an IP address. Option A enables the SSID before setting security, exposing the network to unauthorized access during that window. Option B incorrectly starts with DHCP configuration before the SSID even exists. Option D also enables the SSID before security, leading to the same vulnerability as option A. Only option C follows the secure configuration order recommended by Cisco.
Variation 2. Drag and drop the following steps into the correct order to configure a WPA3 SSID on a Cisco WLC and complete a wireless client association.
medium- ✓ A.Create a new WLAN with SSID and WPA3-Personal security, enable the WLAN, then the client scans, associates, and obtains an IP via DHCP.
- B.Enable the WLAN first, then create the WLAN with SSID and WPA3-Personal security, then the client associates and obtains an IP.
- C.Create the WLAN, enable it, then configure WPA3-Personal security, then the client associates and gets an IP.
- D.Create the WLAN, configure WPA3-Personal security, enable the WLAN, then the client obtains an IP before associating.
Why A: The steps follow the standard WLC configuration sequence: create the WLAN, set WPA3-Personal security, enable it, then the client associates and gets an IP.
Variation 3. Drag and drop the following steps into the correct order to configure WPA3-Personal on a WLC, associate a wireless client, and complete the 802.11 authentication and DHCP process.
medium- ✓ A.Configure WLAN with WPA3-Personal on WLC, then associate client, then client obtains IP via DHCP, then client completes 802.11 authentication.
- ✓ B.Configure WLAN with WPA3-Personal on WLC, then client completes 802.11 authentication, then client associates, then client obtains IP via DHCP.
- ✓ C.Client associates, then client completes 802.11 authentication, then configure WLAN on WLC, then client obtains IP via DHCP.
- ✓ D.Client obtains IP via DHCP, then configure WLAN on WLC, then client completes 802.11 authentication, then client associates.
Why A: The correct order is to first configure the WLAN with WPA3-Personal on the WLC, then the client completes 802.11 authentication (open system authentication followed by the SAE handshake), next the client associates with the AP, and finally the client obtains an IP address via DHCP. Option B correctly follows this sequence, while option A incorrectly reverses authentication and association, option C places WLAN configuration after client association, and option D erroneously performs DHCP before any wireless steps.
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Last reviewed: Jun 6, 2026
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