350-701 Practice Question: Secure Network Access, Visibility and Enforcement
A network administrator wants to implement 802.1X authentication on a switch port that connects a printer. The printer does not support 802.1X, so the administrator configures MAC Authentication Bypass (MAB) as a fallback method. Which command must be included in the switch port configuration to ensure MAB is attempted after 802.1X times out?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to confuse 'authentication priority' with 'authentication order' — candidates often pick 'priority' thinking it controls the fallback sequence, but 'priority' only resolves conflicts when multiple methods succeed simultaneously, not the order of attempts.
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
✓
authentication order dot1x mab
The 'authentication order dot1x mab' command explicitly defines the sequence in which authentication methods are attempted on a switch port. When 802.1X times out (e.g., because the printer does not respond to EAPOL frames), the switch then falls back to MAB. This command ensures MAB is attempted only after 802.1X fails, which matches the requirement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
authentication priority dot1x mab
Why it's wrong here
'authentication priority' is not a valid Cisco command.
- ✓
authentication order dot1x mab
Why this is correct
This configures the switch to attempt 802.1X first, and if it fails, fall back to MAB.
- ✗
dot1x timeout tx-period 30
Why it's wrong here
This adjusts the timeout for 802.1X retransmission but does not enable MAB.
- ✗
authentication port-control auto
Why it's wrong here
This enables authentication but does not specify the order of methods.
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.