Question 77 of 2,015

Wireless Infrastructure →mediumDrag & DropObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The correct first step is the client sending an EAP-Response Identity, but only after the Access Point (AP) has issued an EAP-Request Identity triggered by an EAPoL-Start frame. This sequence is critical because the 802.1X/EAP authentication process for a wireless client relies on a strict challenge-response handshake between the supplicant (client), authenticator (AP), and authentication server (RADIUS). On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this drag-and-drop question tests your ability to order the wireless authentication flow, with a common trap being that students mistakenly list the client’s EAPoL-Start as the first step in the answer choices, when the exam expects the first client action to be the EAP-Response Identity. To avoid confusion, remember the mnemonic “Start, Request, Response” — the AP sends the Request first, so the client’s Response is the initial client-driven packet in the ordered list.

350-401 Wireless Infrastructure Practice Question

This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of wireless infrastructure. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.

Drag and drop the steps of the 802.1X/EAP authentication process for a wireless client into the correct order, from first to last.

Clue words in this question

Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.

Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.

Question 1mediumdrag order

Read the full wireless explanation →

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

✓

Client sends EAPoL-Start to AP

The 802.1X/EAP process begins with the client sending an EAPoL-Start to the AP, which triggers the AP to send an EAP-Request Identity. The client responds with an EAP-Response Identity, which the AP forwards to the RADIUS server. The RADIUS server then sends EAP-Request credentials (e.g., password) to the client via the AP, and the client replies with EAP-Response credentials.

Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization

Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.

KKey Concepts to Remember

Authentication checks who the user is.
Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.

TExam Day Tips

Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.

Key takeaway

Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.

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.

What to study next

Got this wrong? Here's your next step.

Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related 350-401 questions on access control and AAA configuration.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this 350-401 question test?

Wireless Infrastructure — This question tests Wireless Infrastructure — Authentication checks who the user is..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: Client sends EAPoL-Start to AP — The 802.1X/EAP process begins with the client sending an EAPoL-Start to the AP, which triggers the AP to send an EAP-Request Identity. The client responds with an EAP-Response Identity, which the AP forwards to the RADIUS server. The RADIUS server then sends EAP-Request credentials (e.g., password) to the client via the AP, and the client replies with EAP-Response credentials.

What should I do if I get this 350-401 question wrong?

Are there clue words in this question I should notice?

Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Authentication checks who the user is.

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Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026

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