The correct commands are show aaa local user lockout and show running-config | include aaa authentication login. The first command directly reveals whether local users have been locked out due to repeated failed authentication attempts, which is essential for verifying the operational status of local authorization and access control. The second command filters the running configuration to display only the configured AAA authentication method lists for login, allowing you to confirm that local authentication policies are properly applied. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between verification commands that show real-time lockout status versus those that confirm configuration syntax. A common trap is confusing show aaa sessions or debug aaa authentication with these targeted verification commands. Remember the memory tip: “Lockout for status, include for config” — use show aaa local user lockout to check active lockout states, and show running-config | include aaa authentication login to verify the policy is written correctly.
300-410 Device Access Control Practice Question
This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of device access control. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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.
Which TWO commands would a network engineer use to verify the status of local authentication and authorization for device access control on a Cisco IOS router? (Choose TWO.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
show aaa local user lockout
Option A is correct because 'show aaa local user lockout' displays whether local users have been locked out due to failed authentication attempts, which is directly relevant to verifying local authentication and authorization status. Option B is correct because 'show running-config | include aaa authentication login' shows the configured AAA authentication method lists for login, allowing verification of local authentication policies.
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.
✓
show aaa local user lockout
Why this is correct
This command shows users locked out due to failed authentication attempts, which is part of verifying local AAA behavior.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
show running-config | include aaa authentication login
Why this is correct
This displays the authentication method lists, including 'local' if configured, confirming the local AAA configuration.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
show aaa servers
Why it's wrong here
This command shows AAA server statistics for RADIUS/TACACS+, not local authentication status.
✗
debug aaa authentication
Why it's wrong here
This is a debug command, not a verification command, and it is used for real-time troubleshooting, not static verification.
✗
show ip local policy
Why it's wrong here
This command displays local policy routing, unrelated to AAA authentication or authorization.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between commands that verify configuration (show commands) versus those that monitor live events (debug commands), and between local AAA status versus external server status, leading candidates to mistakenly select 'show aaa servers' or 'debug aaa authentication'.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
This command shows AAA server statistics for RADIUS/TACACS+, not local authentication status.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Local authentication uses the router's local username database, defined via 'username' commands, and is referenced in AAA method lists like 'aaa authentication login default local'. The 'show aaa local user lockout' command reveals lockout status based on the 'aaa local authentication attempts max-fail' threshold, while 'show running-config | include aaa authentication login' confirms the method list order (e.g., local, group radius, none) that determines fallback behavior. In real-world scenarios, verifying lockout status is critical after a brute-force attack to ensure legitimate users are not blocked.
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: show aaa local user lockout — Option A is correct because 'show aaa local user lockout' displays whether local users have been locked out due to failed authentication attempts, which is directly relevant to verifying local authentication and authorization status. Option B is correct because 'show running-config | include aaa authentication login' shows the configured AAA authentication method lists for login, allowing verification of local authentication policies.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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