350-601 Security Practice Question
Which AAA protocol is recommended by Cisco for network device administration, as it separates authentication, authorization, and accounting?
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
✓
TACACS+
TACACS+ encrypts the entire packet and separates AAA functions, making it preferred over RADIUS for admin 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.
- ✓
TACACS+
Why this is correct
TACACS+ separates AAA and encrypts all traffic.
- ✗
RADIUS
Why it's wrong here
RADIUS combines authentication and authorization.
- ✗
LDAP
Why it's wrong here
LDAP is a directory protocol, not a AAA protocol.
- ✗
802.1X
Why it's wrong here
802.1X is a port-based authentication mechanism, not a AAA protocol.
Quick reference
AAA Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Port(s) | Encryption | Transport | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RADIUS | 1812 / 1813 | Password only | UDP | Network access control |
| TACACS+ | 49 | Full packet | TCP | Device administration |
| Diameter | 3868 | Full session | TCP / SCTP | Carrier / mobile networks |
| 802.1X | — | EAP-based | Layer 2 | Port-based access control |
TACACS+ encrypts the entire packet; RADIUS only encrypts the password field — a key exam distinction.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every 350-601 question from scratch — 984 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 350-601 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 350-601 exam.