350-501 Security and Services Practice Question
An SP network engineer is hardening management plane access on IOS XR routers. They require authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) with per-command authorization and role-based access control. Which combination 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
✓
SSH with TACACS+ authentication and authorization, and task groups for role-based access
For per-command authorization and role-based access, TACACS+ is preferred over RADIUS. IOS XR uses task groups to define roles. SSH provides encrypted management access.
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 authentication and privilege levels
Why it's wrong here
Local authentication lacks centralized per-command authorization.
- ✓
SSH with TACACS+ authentication and authorization, and task groups for role-based access
Why this is correct
SSH ensures encryption, TACACS+ provides per-command authorization, and task groups enable RBAC.
- ✗
Telnet with RADIUS authentication and authorization
Why it's wrong here
Telnet is insecure; RADIUS does not support per-command authorization well.
- ✗
SNMPv3 with RADIUS authentication
Why it's wrong here
SNMPv3 is for monitoring, not command-line access.
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.