The correct command is aaa authentication login default group radius local. This sequence works because it instructs the Cisco MDS 9000 series switch to first attempt authentication against the RADIUS server group for all login methods, and only if the RADIUS server is unreachable or returns an error—not a rejection—does it fall back to the local user database. On the Cisco DCCOR 350-601 exam, this question tests your understanding of the critical distinction between fallback and failover: the keyword “local” after “group radius” ensures the switch does not lock you out if the server is down, whereas omitting “local” would cause authentication to fail entirely. A common trap is confusing the order of keywords—remember that the first listed method is tried first, so “group radius local” means RADIUS first, then local. For a quick memory tip, think “RADIUS first, local last” to recall that the fallback keyword always comes after the primary group.
350-601 Security Practice Question
This 350-601 practice question tests your understanding of security. 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.
An engineer is configuring AAA authentication on a Cisco MDS 9000 series switch. The goal is to authenticate users via RADIUS first, then local as a fallback. Which command sequence should be used?
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.
Clue: "which command"
Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
aaa authentication login default group radius local
Option A is correct because the 'aaa authentication login default group radius local' command configures the switch to first attempt RADIUS authentication for all login methods (default), and if the RADIUS server is unreachable or returns an error (not a rejection), it falls back to the local user database. This matches the requirement of RADIUS first with local fallback.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
aaa authentication login default group radius local
Why this is correct
Correct syntax: 'default' login method, 'group' keyword, radius then local fallback.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "first", "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
aaa authentication login default local radius
Why it's wrong here
Order is reversed; local would be tried first.
✗
aaa authentication login default radius local
Why it's wrong here
Missing the 'group' keyword; incorrect syntax for MDS.
✗
aaa authentication login console radius local
Why it's wrong here
Uses 'console' instead of 'default'; should apply to all login methods.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between 'default' (applies to all login methods) and specific method names like 'console' or 'ssh', and the requirement to use the 'group' keyword before the server group name, causing candidates to omit 'group' or choose a method-specific keyword incorrectly.
Trap categories for this question
Keyword trap
Missing the 'group' keyword; incorrect syntax for MDS.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The 'aaa authentication login default' command applies to all login methods (console, SSH, Telnet, HTTP, etc.) unless overridden by a more specific method list. The 'group radius' keyword references a configured RADIUS server group (defined via 'radius-server host' and 'aaa group server radius'), and fallback to local occurs only if the RADIUS server is unreachable (timeout/error), not if the user is rejected (which would fail authentication immediately).
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Security — This question tests Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: aaa authentication login default group radius local — Option A is correct because the 'aaa authentication login default group radius local' command configures the switch to first attempt RADIUS authentication for all login methods (default), and if the RADIUS server is unreachable or returns an error (not a rejection), it falls back to the local user database. This matches the requirement of RADIUS first with local fallback.
What should I do if I get this 350-601 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first", "which command". 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?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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