350-701 Practice Question: Secure Network Access, Visibility and Enforcement
A network engineer is troubleshooting an 802.1X deployment where some Windows 10 endpoints fail to authenticate. Logs show that the client sends an EAPoL-Start but never receives an EAP-Request/Identity. The switch port configuration is:
interface GigabitEthernet0/1 switchport mode access
authentication port-control auto dot1x pae authenticator Which additional command is most likely needed?
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
✓
dot1x system-auth-control
The switch interface is configured for 802.1X with 'authentication port-control auto', but this alone is insufficient. The global command 'dot1x system-auth-control' must be enabled to activate the 802.1X feature on the switch. Without it, the switch ignores EAPoL-Start messages and does not send EAP-Request/Identity. Option B is correct.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
dot1x reauthentication
Why it's wrong here
This enables periodic reauthentication, but the initial authentication is not happening.
- ✓
dot1x system-auth-control
Why this is correct
This global command enables 802.1X authentication on the switch, which is required for the port to process EAPoL messages.
- ✗
spanning-tree portfast
Why it's wrong here
Portfast accelerates STP convergence but does not affect 802.1X behavior.
- ✗
dot1x timeout tx-period 3
Why it's wrong here
This tunes the timeout but does not enable the authentication process.
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.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
One of 978 original 350-701 practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.