The answer is that the LDAP identity store is unreachable and ISE is attempting LDAP before Active Directory in the sequence. This is correct because when ISE processes an authentication request, it follows the configured identity store sequence from top to bottom; if the first store in the list is unavailable—as indicated by the LDAP timeout error—ISE will attempt that store first and fail before it can fall back to the next store, even if Active Directory is fully connected and functional. On the Cisco SCOR / CCNP Security Core 350-701 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of ISE identity store sequence and fallback troubleshooting, a common trap being that students assume a connected AD store will automatically be used regardless of sequence order. A useful memory tip is “First in line, first to try—if it’s down, you can’t get by,” reminding you that ISE always checks stores in the exact order configured, so a higher-ranked but unreachable LDAP store will block authentication before AD is ever consulted.
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. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
ISE CLI output:
ise/admin# show aaa auth method all | include AD
AD_1: Active Directory (example.com)
Status: Connected
Last contact: 2 seconds ago
Last error: None
Domain Controllers: dc01.example.com (10.1.1.10), dc02.example.com (10.1.1.11)
Is Allowed: True
Users Authenticated: 0
ise/admin# show aaa auth method all | include LDAP
LDAP_1: LDAP (10.2.2.20)
Status: Connected
Last contact: 10 minutes ago
Last error: Timeout
Users Authenticated: 0
Refer to the exhibit. An engineer configured ISE to use both Active Directory and LDAP for authentication. Users from Active Directory are unable to authenticate. What is the most likely reason?
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.
Refer to the exhibit.
ISE CLI output:
ise/admin# show aaa auth method all | include AD
AD_1: Active Directory (example.com)
Status: Connected
Last contact: 2 seconds ago
Last error: None
Domain Controllers: dc01.example.com (10.1.1.10), dc02.example.com (10.1.1.11)
Is Allowed: True
Users Authenticated: 0
ise/admin# show aaa auth method all | include LDAP
LDAP_1: LDAP (10.2.2.20)
Status: Connected
Last contact: 10 minutes ago
Last error: Timeout
Users Authenticated: 0
A
Active Directory users are not allowed in the policy
Why wrong: The policy is not shown; the problem is likely the dead LDAP server.
B
The LDAP identity store is unreachable and ISE is attempting LDAP before AD
If LDAP is configured as the first authentication source, the timeout causes authentication to fail before AD is tried.
C
The Active Directory identity store is disconnected
Why wrong: The exhibit shows AD is connected.
D
The authentication sequence is set to 'AD then LDAP'
Why wrong: If AD was first, it would likely succeed. The exhibit suggests LDAP is failing.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The LDAP identity store is unreachable and ISE is attempting LDAP before AD
Option A is correct because the LDAP server is showing a timeout error, and if LDAP is ranked higher, ISE may attempt LDAP first and fail before falling back. Option B is wrong because AD shows connected. Option C is wrong because the sequence is not shown but the LDAP error indicates the problem. Option D is wrong because authentication failure does not change the AD identity store.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Active Directory users are not allowed in the policy
Why it's wrong here
The policy is not shown; the problem is likely the dead LDAP server.
✓
The LDAP identity store is unreachable and ISE is attempting LDAP before AD
Why this is correct
If LDAP is configured as the first authentication source, the timeout causes authentication to fail before AD is tried.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The Active Directory identity store is disconnected
The authentication sequence is set to 'AD then LDAP'
Why it's wrong here
If AD was first, it would likely succeed. The exhibit suggests LDAP is failing.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The policy is not shown; the problem is likely the dead LDAP server.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 350-701 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which 350-701 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Secure Network Access, Visibility and Enforcement — This question tests Secure Network Access, Visibility and Enforcement — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The LDAP identity store is unreachable and ISE is attempting LDAP before AD — Option A is correct because the LDAP server is showing a timeout error, and if LDAP is ranked higher, ISE may attempt LDAP first and fail before falling back. Option B is wrong because AD shows connected. Option C is wrong because the sequence is not shown but the LDAP error indicates the problem. Option D is wrong because authentication failure does not change the AD identity store.
What should I do if I get this 350-701 question wrong?
Identify which 350-701 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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