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300-410 Practice Question: Which TWO statements about AAA authentication on…
Which TWO statements about AAA authentication on Cisco IOS-XE are true? (Choose TWO.)
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between a method list 'failure' (which allows fallback) and a 'reject' (which denies access immediately), and the fact that an unconfigured AAA defaults to line password authentication, not local database.
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 'aaa authentication login default local' command creates a default method list that uses the local user database for login authentication.
The 'aaa authentication login default local' command explicitly configures the default method list to use the local user database for login authentication. This is the standard way to define a fallback or primary local authentication method for all lines that do not have a named method list applied.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
If no AAA authentication method list is explicitly configured, the default method list uses the local user database.
Why it's wrong here
The default method list uses the enable password, not the local database, unless 'aaa authentication login default local' is configured.
- ✓
The 'aaa authentication login default local' command creates a default method list that uses the local user database for login authentication.
Why this is correct
This command defines the default method list for login authentication, using the local database as the first (and only) method.
- ✓
When a named method list is applied to a line with 'login authentication LISTNAME', the default method list is ignored for that line.
Why this is correct
Applying a named method list overrides the default method list on that line; authentication uses only the methods in the named list.
- ✗
The 'aaa authentication login default group radius local' command will first try RADIUS, and if RADIUS fails (not just rejects), it will fall back to local.
Why it's wrong here
This command will try RADIUS and then local, but 'fails' means the server is unreachable; if RADIUS rejects the user, authentication stops and does not fall back to local.
- ✗
The 'aaa authentication login default method' command creates a method list with no authentication methods, which denies all login attempts.
Why it's wrong here
There is no 'method' keyword; the correct syntax is 'aaa authentication login default none' to allow login without 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
This 300-410 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 300-410 exam.