350-701 Practice Question: Secure Network Access, Visibility and Enforcement
Which THREE of the following are required for a successful 802.1X authentication on a Cisco switch? (Choose THREE)
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between authentication prerequisites and post-authentication policies, leading candidates to mistakenly select optional features like dACLs or SGTs as mandatory for the 802.1X authentication step.
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
✓
The switch must be configured as a RADIUS client to ISE
For 802.1X authentication, the switch must act as a RADIUS client (authenticator) forwarding EAP frames to the ISE (authentication server). Without this configuration, the switch cannot communicate with ISE to validate the endpoint's credentials, making it a mandatory requirement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Security Group Tag (SGT) must be assigned
Why it's wrong here
SGT is optional for TrustSec, not required for 802.1X.
- ✗
A downloadable ACL (dACL) must be configured on ISE
Why it's wrong here
dACL is an authorization attribute, not a requirement for authentication.
- ✓
The switch must be configured as a RADIUS client to ISE
Why this is correct
The switch must communicate with ISE via RADIUS for authentication.
- ✓
The switch port must be configured with 'authentication port-control auto'
Why this is correct
This enables 802.1X authentication on the port.
- ✓
The endpoint must have a valid credential (certificate or password)
Why this is correct
The endpoint must present credentials for 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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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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