The answer is that the WLC is not configured with the ISE portal IP address for redirection. For a guest captive portal to function, the WLC must intercept HTTP traffic from the guest client and redirect it to the ISE portal service; without the WLC knowing the specific portal IP address, this redirect fails, resulting in a "Connection refused" error even though the client gets an IP address. On the Cisco SCOR 350-701 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of guest lifecycle services and the distinction between RADIUS authentication and HTTP redirect—a common trap is assuming that enabling the portal on ISE alone is sufficient, when in fact the WLC must be explicitly configured with the redirect destination. Remember that the WLC acts as the redirector, not the portal host, so it needs the portal IP; a useful memory tip is "Redirect requires a target—the WLC must know where to send the guest."
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.
A small business uses Cisco ISE to authenticate employees via Active Directory. The company has a single ISE node and two Catalyst 2960-X switches. Employees connect to the network and are successfully authenticated using 802.1X with PEAP. The business wants to provide guest wireless access using a separate SSID with a captive portal. The engineer configures a new WLAN on the WLC (Cisco 2504) pointing to the same ISE node. Guest users can associate to the WLAN and get an IP address, but when they open a browser, they do not see the captive portal page; instead, they get a 'Connection refused' error. The engineer verifies that the guest portal is enabled on ISE and the WLC is configured to use ISE for RADIUS. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The WLC is not configured with the ISE portal IP address for redirection
The captive portal requires the guest traffic to be redirected to ISE's portal service. Typically, this is done by the WLC redirecting HTTP traffic to the ISE IP. If the DNS resolution for the portal fails or the WLC does not know the portal address, the redirect fails. Option C is correct because the WLC must be configured with the portal IP (or domain) for redirection. Option A would affect all authentication. Option B might be needed but without proper redirect, portal won't show. Option D is irrelevant.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
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 ISE guest portal service is not running
Why it's wrong here
The engineer says portal is enabled, so service is likely running.
✗
The guest user's device does not have a valid DNS server
Why it's wrong here
If DNS is missing, the portal redirection may fail, but the typical redirection is IP-based and should work without DNS.
✓
The WLC is not configured with the ISE portal IP address for redirection
Why this is correct
The WLC needs to know where to redirect HTTP traffic; without that, the captive portal cannot appear.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✗
The guest WLAN does not have a pre-authentication ACL
Why it's wrong here
Pre-auth ACL is needed to allow DNS/DHCP before auth, but not the portal page.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Authentication checks who the user is.
Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
→Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
→Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
→Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related 350-701 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Secure Network Access, Visibility and Enforcement — This question tests Secure Network Access, Visibility and Enforcement — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The WLC is not configured with the ISE portal IP address for redirection — The captive portal requires the guest traffic to be redirected to ISE's portal service. Typically, this is done by the WLC redirecting HTTP traffic to the ISE IP. If the DNS resolution for the portal fails or the WLC does not know the portal address, the redirect fails. Option C is correct because the WLC must be configured with the portal IP (or domain) for redirection. Option A would affect all authentication. Option B might be needed but without proper redirect, portal won't show. Option D is irrelevant.
What should I do if I get this 350-701 question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related 350-701 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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