The answer is that the local enable password is not configured. This is because the command 'aaa authentication enable default group radius enable' instructs the router to first attempt authentication via the RADIUS server, and if that fails, fall back to the 'enable' method, which relies on a locally stored enable password or secret. Since the RADIUS server is reachable but does not return a successful authentication—likely because it lacks the necessary enable permission—the router correctly falls back to the local method, but without a configured 'enable secret' or 'enable password', that fallback also fails, denying access. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of AAA authentication method lists and fallback behavior, with a common trap being the assumption that a reachable RADIUS server automatically grants enable access. Remember the memory tip: "RADIUS reachable doesn't mean RADIUS able; without a local secret, the fallback is defeat."
300-410 Device Access Control Practice Question
This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of device access control. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
An engineer configures a Cisco router with 'aaa authentication login default group radius local' and 'aaa authentication enable default group radius enable'. The engineer then attempts to enter enable mode and is prompted for a password. The RADIUS server is reachable, but the enable password is not accepted. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The local enable password is not configured.
The 'aaa authentication enable default group radius enable' command tells the router to first contact the RADIUS server for enable authentication, and if that fails, fall back to the 'enable' method (which uses the local enable password). Since the RADIUS server is reachable, the router will attempt RADIUS authentication first. If the RADIUS server does not return a successful authentication (e.g., because it is not configured to provide the enable password), the router falls back to the 'enable' method, which requires a locally configured enable password. If no local enable password is set (via 'enable password' or 'enable secret'), the fallback fails, and the user is denied access. Therefore, the most likely cause is that the local enable password is not configured.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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 local enable password is not configured.
Why this is correct
Correct because the enable authentication method list includes 'enable' as a fallback; if no local enable password is set, the fallback fails.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The RADIUS server is not configured to provide the enable password.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because the RADIUS server can provide enable access via the service type; but the issue is the local fallback.
✗
The 'aaa authentication enable default' command is missing the 'local' keyword.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because the command uses 'enable' as a fallback, not 'local'.
✗
The router's enable secret is set to a different password.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because the enable secret is used for local enable authentication; if set, it would work as a fallback.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between the 'local' method (which uses the local username/password database) and the 'enable' method (which uses the enable password/secret), leading candidates to incorrectly assume that 'local' is needed as a fallback for enable authentication.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Incorrect because the command uses 'enable' as a fallback, not 'local'.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The 'aaa authentication enable default' command defines the authentication method list for entering privileged EXEC mode. The 'enable' method specifically refers to the locally configured enable password (set via 'enable password' or 'enable secret'), not to any AAA local database. If the RADIUS server is reachable but does not return an Access-Accept, the router will try the next method in the list; if that method is 'enable' and no enable password is configured, authentication fails. In real-world deployments, administrators often forget to configure a local enable password as a fallback, causing lockouts when the RADIUS server is reachable but not configured for enable authentication.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 300-410 question in full detail.
Device Access Control — This question tests Device Access Control — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The local enable password is not configured. — The 'aaa authentication enable default group radius enable' command tells the router to first contact the RADIUS server for enable authentication, and if that fails, fall back to the 'enable' method (which uses the local enable password). Since the RADIUS server is reachable, the router will attempt RADIUS authentication first. If the RADIUS server does not return a successful authentication (e.g., because it is not configured to provide the enable password), the router falls back to the 'enable' method, which requires a locally configured enable password. If no local enable password is set (via 'enable password' or 'enable secret'), the fallback fails, and the user is denied access. Therefore, the most likely cause is that the local enable password is not configured.
What should I do if I get this 300-410 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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