hardMultiple Choice
200-901 Uses Cisco ISE for network access control Practice Question
An organization uses Cisco ISE for network access control. A user reports inability to access the network. The switch port shows the authenticator state as 'connecting'. What does this indicate?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between the 'connecting' state (meaning the process is ongoing) and the 'authenticated' or 'failed' states, so candidates mistakenly think 'connecting' implies a problem or failure rather than normal progress.
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 client is in the process of 802.1X authentication
In Cisco ISE and 802.1X, the authenticator state 'connecting' indicates that the switch (authenticator) has detected a new client on the port and has initiated the 802.1X authentication process. This state means the port is actively sending EAP-Request/Identity frames and waiting for the client to respond, so the client is in the process of authentication, not yet authenticated or failed.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
The client is in the process of 802.1X authentication
Why this is correct
The 'connecting' authenticator state means the switch port has begun the 802.1X exchange and is awaiting completion of authentication with the supplicant and Cisco ISE. It is a transient in-progress state, not a failure, so the client is mid-authentication rather than denied.
- ✗
The client has successfully authenticated
Why it's wrong here
'Connecting' means the port is awaiting an EAP exchange from the supplicant and authentication has not completed, so access remains denied. Successful authentication transitions the state to 'authenticated'; a client that has authenticated would already be granted network access rather than reporting this state.
- ✗
The port is in a held state due to multiple failures
Why it's wrong here
A held state follows repeated authentication failures and appears as 'held' or 'unauthorized', not 'connecting'. 'Connecting' shows the port is actively awaiting an EAP exchange with the supplicant. The held state is tempting because both block access, but only after the failure threshold is exceeded.
- ✗
Authentication has failed
Why it's wrong here
A 'connecting' state means the port has begun 802.1X and is awaiting a response from the supplicant or RADIUS server, not that authentication failed. Failure would display 'unauthorized' or 'authentication failed'. It is tempting because a stalled connection often precedes failure, but the state itself denotes an in-progress exchange.
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 200-901 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 200-901 exam.