The answer is that the switch port will remain in an unauthorized state, blocking all traffic. This occurs because when the device fails to respond to the EAP-Request/Identity after sending an EAPOL-start, the 802.1X authentication times out, and the subsequent MAB attempt also fails since the RADIUS server has no record of the MAC address. With both authentication methods exhausted and no fallback action configured, the port defaults to its most secure posture—the 802.1X unauthorized state—denying any Layer 2 or Layer 3 traffic. On the Cisco SCOR 350-701 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the authentication order and default port behavior when both 802.1X and MAB fail; a common trap is assuming the port will transition to a critical VLAN or an error-disabled state without explicit configuration. Remember the memory tip: “No success, no access”—if neither 802.1X nor MAB succeeds, the port stays shut.
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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
interface GigabitEthernet0/1
switchport mode access
switchport access vlan 10
authentication host-mode multi-auth
authentication order mab dot1x
authentication priority dot1x mab
authentication port-control auto
dot1x pae authenticator
spanning-tree portfast
! RADIUS server configuration
radius server ISE
address ipv4 10.1.1.100 auth-port 1812 acct-port 1813
key cisco123
! Global AAA
aaa new-model
aaa authentication dot1x default group radius
aaa authorization network default group radius
aaa accounting dot1x default start-stop group radius
A network administrator has configured the above on a Cisco switch port for a device that supports both MAB and 802.1X. The device sends an EAPOL-start but the switch responds with an EAP-Request/Identity. The device does not respond to the EAP-Request/Identity. After a timeout, the switch attempts MAB. However, MAB also fails because the RADIUS server does not have the MAC address. Which of the following best describes the final port state?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The port will remain in an unauthorized state, blocking all traffic
When 802.1X authentication fails because the device does not respond to the EAP-Request/Identity, and MAB also fails because the RADIUS server lacks the MAC address, the switch port remains in an unauthorized state. This is the default behavior for a port configured with both authentication methods: if neither succeeds, the port stays in the 802.1X unauthorized state, blocking all traffic until a successful authentication occurs or a fallback action (like a critical VLAN) is explicitly configured.
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 port will be placed in a critical authentication VLAN
Why it's wrong here
Critical authentication is not configured.
✗
The port will be error-disabled due to authentication failure
Why it's wrong here
Authentication failure does not cause error-disable unless configured.
✓
The port will remain in an unauthorized state, blocking all traffic
Why this is correct
With auto port control, failed auth results in unauthorized state.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The port will be placed in VLAN 10 with restricted access
Why it's wrong here
VLAN assignment only occurs after successful authentication.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between authentication failure and RADIUS server unavailability, where candidates mistakenly assume a guest VLAN or critical VLAN is automatically applied, but these require explicit configuration and are not default behaviors.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the switch uses a state machine for 802.1X (per IEEE 802.1X-2010) that transitions through 'connecting', 'authenticating', and 'authenticated' states. When both 802.1X and MAB fail, the port stays in the 'unauthorized' state, and the switch does not forward any traffic (except EAPOL frames). In real-world deployments, administrators often configure a guest VLAN or critical VLAN to provide limited access, but without such explicit configuration, the default behavior is to block all traffic, which can lead to helpdesk tickets if not anticipated.
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 help-desk technician troubleshoots why a newly connected PC cannot reach shared printers on the same floor. The cable is good, the switch port is active, but the PC is in VLAN 20 and the printers are in VLAN 10. The uplink trunk only allows VLAN 10. A trunk being up does not mean every VLAN crosses it.
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 port will remain in an unauthorized state, blocking all traffic — When 802.1X authentication fails because the device does not respond to the EAP-Request/Identity, and MAB also fails because the RADIUS server lacks the MAC address, the switch port remains in an unauthorized state. This is the default behavior for a port configured with both authentication methods: if neither succeeds, the port stays in the 802.1X unauthorized state, blocking all traffic until a successful authentication occurs or a fallback action (like a critical VLAN) is explicitly configured.
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: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A user connected to port Gi1/0/1 cannot access the network. Based on the output, what is the most likely cause?
medium
A.The RADIUS server is unreachable
✓ B.The client does not support 802.1X
C.The switch has a misconfigured AAA command
D.The port is in errdisable state
Why B: Option B is correct because the 'Reason: EAP-timeout' indicates that the client did not respond to 802.1X EAP requests, which typically means the client does not support 802.1X or it is not enabled. Option A is incorrect because if the RADIUS server were unreachable, the switch would likely use a critical VLAN, but the reason is EAP-timeout from the client side. Option C is incorrect because AAA configuration would cause different errors. Option D is incorrect because 'Errdisable' would show a different port state.
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
This 350-701 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 350-701 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.