350-501 Security and Services Practice Question
An engineer is configuring management plane hardening on an IOS XR router. The requirement is to authenticate users against a central server and provide granular command authorization. Which protocol and feature should be used?
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
✓
TACACS+ with AAA and task groups
TACACS+ provides separate authentication, authorization, and accounting, and is commonly used with AAA for centralized management. Role-based access is achieved via task groups in IOS XR.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
SSH with local username/password
Why it's wrong here
SSH provides encryption but no centralized authentication or authorization.
- ✓
TACACS+ with AAA and task groups
Why this is correct
TACACS+ provides granular command authorization, and task groups enable role-based access.
- ✗
SNMPv3 with ACLs
Why it's wrong here
SNMPv3 provides encryption but not command authorization.
- ✗
RADIUS with local authentication
Why it's wrong here
RADIUS does not separate authorization well and is often used for network access rather than device management.
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
This 350-501 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 350-501 exam.