Quick Answer
The answer is MAC Authentication Bypass (MAB). This feature is the correct choice because it provides a fallback authentication method for devices that lack 802.1X supplicant software, such as printers, IP phones, or legacy sensors. When a non-802.1X device connects, the switch captures its MAC address and forwards it to a RADIUS server as both the username and password, effectively using the hardware address as a credential to grant or deny network access. On the Cisco SCOR 350-701 exam, this question tests your understanding of identity management and port-based access control, often appearing alongside 802.1X and web authentication as the three primary methods for network admission. A common trap is confusing MAB with port security, but remember: MAB is a RADIUS-driven authentication process, not a static MAC address table lock. For a quick memory tip, think “MAB = MAC as Both username and password,” reinforcing that the switch proxies the MAC to the AAA server for verification.
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.
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?
802.1X with EAP-MSCHAPv2
Why wrong: This requires the device to support 802.1X.
Downloadable ACL (dACL)
Why wrong: dACL is an authorization attribute, not an authentication method.
Web Authentication (WA)
Why wrong: Web Authentication is typically for guest users, not for devices without a web browser.
MAC Authentication Bypass (MAB)
MAB allows non-802.1X devices to authenticate using their MAC address.
Answer choices
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.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
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.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that 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.
Detailed technical explanation
MAB works by the switch capturing the source MAC address of the first packet from the device and sending an Access-Request to the RADIUS server with the MAC address in the User-Name and User-Password attributes (often formatted as xxxxxxxxxxxx). If the RADIUS server has the MAC address in its database, it returns an Access-Accept, and the switch opens the port. A common real-world scenario is connecting a printer or an IP camera that lacks 802.1X supplicant software, where MAB provides a fallback authentication method.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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FAQ
Secure Network Access, Visibility and Enforcement — This question tests Secure Network Access, Visibility and Enforcement — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: 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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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.
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