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350-701 Practice Question: A network administrator is configuring 802.1X on…
A network administrator is configuring 802.1X on a Cisco switch for corporate Windows laptops. The organization uses certificates for authentication. Which EAP method should be configured on the supplicant and ISE to provide certificate-based mutual authentication?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between EAP methods that use certificates only on the server side (like PEAP) versus those that require certificates on both sides (EAP-TLS), leading candidates to mistakenly choose PEAP-MSCHAPv2 when the question explicitly states 'certificate-based mutual authentication'.
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
✓
EAP-TLS
EAP-TLS (Transport Layer Security) is the correct choice because it provides certificate-based mutual authentication, where both the supplicant (Windows laptop) and the authentication server (ISE) present X.509 certificates to verify each other's identity. This meets the requirement for certificate-based authentication and is the only EAP method listed that inherently requires certificates on both sides for mutual authentication.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
PEAP-MSCHAPv2
Why it's wrong here
PEAP-MSCHAPv2 uses server-side certificate but client-side password, not certificates for client.
- ✗
EAP-MD5
Why it's wrong here
EAP-MD5 does not support certificates and is not recommended.
- ✓
EAP-TLS
Why this is correct
EAP-TLS provides certificate-based mutual authentication.
- ✗
EAP-FAST
Why it's wrong here
EAP-FAST uses PACs, not certificates, for client authentication.
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.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.