The correct course of action is to upgrade the switch IOS to a version that supports the new ISE posture attributes. This is because older Cisco IOS versions lack the necessary RADIUS attribute interpretation for modern posture assessment flows; when ISE sends a session-timeout of 1 hour, the legacy switch misreads the attribute as a zero-value Session-Timeout, immediately terminating the session. On the Cisco SCOR 350-701 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of posture assessment switch IOS compatibility and the critical role of CoA (Change of Authorization) attributes in a Cisco ISE deployment. A common trap is to assume the issue lies in the authorization profile or to disable posture as a workaround, but the root cause is always a firmware gap. Remember the mnemonic: “Old IOS, zero timeout—upgrade the code to route out the glitch.”
350-701 Practice Question: Secure Network Access, Visibility and Enforcement
This 350-701 practice question tests your understanding of secure network access, visibility and enforcement. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 large enterprise has deployed Cisco ISE for network access control with 802.1X and MAB across its wired and wireless networks. The network consists of Cisco Catalyst switches, Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers (WLCs), and ISE in a distributed deployment with three Policy Service Nodes (PSNs) and an Admin Node. Recently, the company implemented a new security policy requiring all endpoints to pass posture assessment before gaining full network access. The posture assessment uses AnyConnect ISE Posture Module.
Shortly after the change, users report that some wired clients are unable to connect to the network. The ISE logs show that the authentication is successful, but the session is terminated immediately with a 'Session-Timeout' attribute set to 0. The network team notices that the affected clients are all connected to switches running older Cisco IOS versions. The ISE administrator confirms that the authorization profiles for the affected clients include a session-timeout of 1 hour. Which course of action should the network engineer take to resolve the issue?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "immediately / without restart"
Why it matters: Time or reboot constraint — the correct answer must take effect right away without requiring a reboot or reload.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Upgrade the switch IOS to a version that supports the new ISE posture attributes.
Option B is correct because older IOS versions may not properly interpret the new RADIUS attributes sent by ISE during posture assessment, causing session termination. Upgrading to a supported IOS version resolves the compatibility issue. Option A is incorrect because ignoring the Session-Timeout attribute is not a recommended practice and may cause security issues. Option C is incorrect because disabling posture for these ports is a workaround, not a solution. Option D is incorrect because increasing the timeout does not address the root cause, which is the switch's inability to handle the attribute.
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.
✓
Upgrade the switch IOS to a version that supports the new ISE posture attributes.
Why this is correct
Upgrading resolves the incompatibility and allows proper handling of posture attributes.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "immediately / without restart" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✗
Disable posture assessment for the affected switch ports using a different authorization policy.
Why it's wrong here
This bypasses the security policy without addressing the underlying incompatibility.
✗
Configure the switches to ignore the Session-Timeout attribute sent by ISE.
Why it's wrong here
Ignoring the attribute is not a proper fix; it may lead to other issues like no reauthentication.
✗
Increase the session-timeout value in the ISE authorization profile to a larger value.
Why it's wrong here
Increasing the timeout does not fix the attribute interpretation issue on the switch.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
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 350-701 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Secure Network Access, Visibility and Enforcement — This question tests Secure Network Access, Visibility and Enforcement — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Upgrade the switch IOS to a version that supports the new ISE posture attributes. — Option B is correct because older IOS versions may not properly interpret the new RADIUS attributes sent by ISE during posture assessment, causing session termination. Upgrading to a supported IOS version resolves the compatibility issue. Option A is incorrect because ignoring the Session-Timeout attribute is not a recommended practice and may cause security issues. Option C is incorrect because disabling posture for these ports is a workaround, not a solution. Option D is incorrect because increasing the timeout does not address the root cause, which is the switch's inability to handle the attribute.
What should I do if I get this 350-701 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 350-701 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "immediately / without restart". Time or reboot constraint — the correct answer must take effect right away without requiring a reboot or reload.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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