350-701 Practice Question: Secure Network Access, Visibility and Enforcement
A network administrator wants to implement 802.1X on a Cisco switch port for a device that does not support 802.1X. Which feature should be configured to allow the device to connect?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates confuse MAB with a bypass that skips all security, when in fact MAB still enforces authentication via the RADIUS server using the MAC address as credentials.
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
✓
MAC Authentication Bypass (MAB)
MAC Authentication Bypass (MAB) is the correct feature because it allows a device that does not support 802.1X supplicant software to authenticate by using its MAC address as the identity. The switch acts as a proxy, sending the MAC address as the username and password to the RADIUS server, which can then grant or deny access based on the MAC address in its database.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
802.1X with EAP-MSCHAPv2
Why it's wrong here
This requires the device to support 802.1X.
- ✗
Downloadable ACL (dACL)
Why it's wrong here
dACL is an authorization attribute, not an authentication method.
- ✗
Web Authentication (WA)
Why it's wrong here
Web Authentication is typically for guest users, not for devices without a web browser.
- ✓
MAC Authentication Bypass (MAB)
Why this is correct
MAB allows non-802.1X devices to authenticate using their MAC address.
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.