easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
350-701 Practice Question: Which Cisco ISE node is responsible for…
Which Cisco ISE node is responsible for authenticating endpoints and enforcing access policies?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between management, monitoring, and enforcement roles, and the trap here is confusing the Administration Node (which defines policies) with the Policy Service Node (which enforces them), leading candidates to pick the Administration Node as the enforcement point.
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
✓
Policy Service Node (PSN)
The Policy Service Node (PSN) is the Cisco ISE component that performs endpoint authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) and enforces access policies by processing RADIUS requests from network access devices (NADs). It handles posture assessment, guest services, and client provisioning, making it the direct enforcement point for network access control.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Administration Node
Why it's wrong here
The Administration Node manages ISE configuration and policies but does not enforce them.
- ✗
pxGrid
Why it's wrong here
pxGrid is a data sharing platform, not a node type for authentication.
- ✓
Policy Service Node (PSN)
Why this is correct
PSN performs authentication and policy enforcement.
- ✗
Monitoring Node
Why it's wrong here
The Monitoring Node collects logs and reports, not 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.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every 350-701 question from scratch — 978 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. 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.