The answer is that the client was authenticated based on its MAC address via MAB. This conclusion is drawn directly from the show authentication sessions interface command output, which lists the Current Method List as “mab” and the Method as “MAB,” with a Status of “Authz Success.” The output confirms that the device with MAC address 0011.2233.4455 successfully bypassed 802.1X authentication because no supplicant was present, and the switch fell back to MAC Authentication Bypass using the device’s MAC address as credentials. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this command tests your ability to interpret port-based authentication states, especially the difference between MAB, 802.1X, and web authentication. A common trap is assuming “Authz Success” always means 802.1X was used, but the “Method” field reveals the actual authentication protocol. Remember the memory tip: “MAB means MAC, not 802.1X—check the Method field to avoid the trap.”
CCNP 802.1X and TrustSec Practice Question
This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of 802.1x and trustsec. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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.
A network engineer runs the following command on switch SW1:
SW1# show authentication sessions interface GigabitEthernet1/0/1
Interface: GigabitEthernet1/0/1
MAC Address: 0011.2233.4455
IP Address: 192.168.1.100
Status: Authz Success
Domain: DATA
Oper host mode: multi-auth
Oper control dir: both
Session timeout: N/A
Common Session ID: 0A1B2C3D4E5F6G7H8I9J
Acct Session ID: 0x0000000A
Handle: 0x00000001
Current Method List: mab
Method: MAB
State: Authz Success
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The client was authenticated based on its MAC address via MAB.
The output shows the session status as 'Authz Success' and the method used is MAB (MAC Authentication Bypass). The host mode is multi-auth, meaning multiple devices can authenticate on the same port. The domain is DATA, indicating the session is for data traffic, not voice.
Key principle: A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.
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 client authenticated using 802.1X with a username and password.
The client was authenticated based on its MAC address via MAB.
Why this is correct
The method is MAB and state is Authz Success, meaning MAC authentication succeeded.
Related concept
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
✗
The port is in multi-domain mode, allowing one data and one voice device.
Why it's wrong here
The host mode is multi-auth, not multi-domain.
✗
The session is for voice traffic because the domain is DATA.
Why it's wrong here
Domain DATA indicates data traffic, not voice.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: an active trunk can still block the VLAN you need
A trunk being up does not prove every VLAN is crossing it. Check allowed VLAN lists, native VLAN mismatch, VLAN existence and access-port assignment.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The method shown is MAB, not 802.1X.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
VLAN questions usually combine access-port and trunking clues. The key is to identify whether the issue is local to one switchport, caused by the trunk, or caused by the VLAN not existing where it needs to exist.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
Trunk ports carry multiple VLANs between switches.
Allowed VLAN lists decide which VLANs can cross a trunk.
Native VLAN mismatch can create confusing symptoms.
TExam Day Tips
→Use show vlan brief to verify access VLANs.
→Use show interfaces trunk to verify trunk state and allowed VLANs.
→Do not treat every same-VLAN issue as a routing problem.
Key takeaway
A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 350-401 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. A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches. 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 VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related 350-401 questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
802.1X and TrustSec — This question tests 802.1X and TrustSec — Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The client was authenticated based on its MAC address via MAB. — The output shows the session status as 'Authz Success' and the method used is MAB (MAC Authentication Bypass). The host mode is multi-auth, meaning multiple devices can authenticate on the same port. The domain is DATA, indicating the session is for data traffic, not voice.
What should I do if I get this 350-401 question wrong?
Review VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related 350-401 questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
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