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350-701 Practice Question: An engineer is configuring Cisco ISE for 802.1X…
An engineer is configuring Cisco ISE for 802.1X authentication. The network has many printers and IP phones that do not support 802.1X supplicant software. Which ISE feature should be used to allow these devices to authenticate?
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) allows non-802.1X-capable devices to authenticate based on their MAC address.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Posture assessment
Why it's wrong here
Posture assessment evaluates endpoint compliance with security policies (e.g., antivirus status or patch levels) after authentication, but it does not solve the core requirement: devices lacking 802.1X supplicant software cannot initiate the EAPoL exchange needed to reach the assessment stage. It is tempting because posture checks are often associated with non‑compliant endpoints, yet the correct solution—MAC Authentication Bypass (MAB)—bypasses 802.1X entirely by authenticating based on the device’s MAC address, which printers and IP phones can provide without a supplicant.
- ✓
MAC Authentication Bypass (MAB)
Why this is correct
MAB authenticates devices by MAC address when 802.1X supplicant is not available.
- ✗
Guest access with sponsor portal
Why it's wrong here
Guest access is for temporary users, not for non-supplicant devices like printers.
- ✗
Profiling via DHCP probe
Why it's wrong here
Profiling identifies device type but does not provide 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
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