The answer is that the ISE node is running out of RADIUS session capacity. This is the most likely cause because the syslogs show “RADIUS request dropped” messages that correlate precisely with peak hours when concurrent sessions exceed 500, which is the default RADIUS session context limit per ISE node. Unlike CPU or memory exhaustion, this is a licensing and resource constraint—each node can only track a finite number of active RADIUS sessions, and once that ceiling is hit, new authentication requests are silently dropped. On the Cisco SCOR / CCNP Security Core 350-701 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of ISE’s per-node session limits versus overall scalability; a common trap is to blame network connectivity or shared secrets when the real issue is capacity. Memory tip: think “500 sessions, then drop”—if concurrent users exceed that magic number, ISE stops listening.
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 multinational corporation is deploying Cisco ISE to enforce network access for both wired and wireless users. The company has 5,000 employees and 2,000 guest users daily. The ISE deployment consists of two nodes: a primary Administration Node (PAN) and a Monitoring Node (MNT). All policies are configured on the PAN. Recently, the company has experienced intermittent authentication failures during peak hours. The failures affect both wired 802.1X and wireless users. The syslogs show 'RADIUS request dropped' messages on the ISE nodes. The network team has verified that the RADIUS shared secret is correct and that the network devices can reach the ISE nodes. The ISE nodes have sufficient CPU and memory. However, the authentication failures correlate with times when the number of concurrent sessions exceeds 500. What is the most likely cause of the issue?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Clue: "primary"
Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The ISE node is running out of RADIUS session capacity
The 'RADIUS request dropped' messages and correlation with concurrent sessions exceeding 500 indicate that the ISE node has reached its RADIUS session capacity. Cisco ISE nodes have a finite number of RADIUS session contexts (typically 500 for a single node in many deployments), and once this limit is exceeded, new authentication requests are dropped. This is a licensing and resource limitation, not a CPU or memory issue, and it explains why failures occur only during peak hours.
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.
✓
The ISE node is running out of RADIUS session capacity
Why this is correct
ISE has a maximum number of concurrent RADIUS sessions; exceeding that causes drops.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "most likely", "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The ISE nodes are not reachable from the network devices
Why it's wrong here
The problem statement says they are reachable.
✗
The RADIUS shared secret is mistyped on some network devices
Why it's wrong here
The problem statement says the shared secret is verified.
✗
The CPU and memory are insufficient despite appearing sufficient
Why it's wrong here
The problem states CPU/memory are sufficient, and the issue correlates with session count.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between resource exhaustion (CPU/memory) and session capacity limits, trapping candidates who assume that sufficient CPU and memory means no capacity issue, when in fact the RADIUS session table is a separate finite resource.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cisco ISE uses a RADIUS session context table to track active authentication sessions; this table has a fixed size (often 500 per node in default configurations) and is separate from CPU/memory utilization. When the table is full, the ISE node sends a RADIUS Access-Reject or silently drops the request, logging 'RADIUS request dropped'. This is a common scaling issue in environments with high concurrent authentication loads, and can be mitigated by adding more ISE nodes or increasing the session limit via licensing (e.g., ISE Base vs. Plus license).
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 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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Secure Network Access, Visibility and Enforcement — This question tests Secure Network Access, Visibility and Enforcement — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The ISE node is running out of RADIUS session capacity — The 'RADIUS request dropped' messages and correlation with concurrent sessions exceeding 500 indicate that the ISE node has reached its RADIUS session capacity. Cisco ISE nodes have a finite number of RADIUS session contexts (typically 500 for a single node in many deployments), and once this limit is exceeded, new authentication requests are dropped. This is a licensing and resource limitation, not a CPU or memory issue, and it explains why failures occur only during peak hours.
What should I do if I get this 350-701 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: "most likely", "primary". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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