Question 725 of 2,015

AAA, RADIUS, and TACACS+ →mediumMatchingObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The answer is Authorization, which can be based on privilege levels or attribute-value pairs. This is correct because AAA functions are distinct: Authentication verifies who you are, Authorization determines what you are allowed to do, and Accounting tracks what you did for auditing or billing. Authorization specifically controls access rights by checking privilege levels (like Cisco’s 0-15) or attribute-value pairs (AV pairs) from a RADIUS server. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this concept often appears in drag-and-drop questions where you must match each AAA function to its definition, and a common trap is confusing Authorization with Authentication—remember that Authentication asks “Who are you?” while Authorization asks “What can you do?”. For a quick memory tip, think of the acronym “AAA” as a three-step security checkpoint: first you show your ID (Authentication), then the guard checks your clearance level (Authorization), and finally a log records your entry (Accounting).

350-401 AAA, RADIUS, and TACACS+ Practice Question

This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of aaa, radius, and tacacs+. 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 each AAA function on the left to its correct description on the right.

Question 1mediummatching

Study the full AAA 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

✓

Authentication: Verifies the identity of a user or device

Authentication verifies identity, authorization determines allowed actions, and accounting tracks usage for auditing or billing.

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?

AAA, RADIUS, and TACACS+ — This question tests AAA, RADIUS, and TACACS+ — Authentication checks who the user is..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: Authentication: Verifies the identity of a user or device — Authentication verifies identity, authorization determines allowed actions, and accounting tracks usage for auditing or billing.

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

What is the key concept behind this question?

Authentication checks who the user is.

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Same concept, more angles

1 more ways this is tested on 350-401

These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.

Variation 1. Drag and drop each AAA function on the left to its matching description on the right.

medium

✓ P1.Authentication: Verifies the identity of a user or device
✓ P2.Authorization: Determines what resources or services a user is allowed to access
✓ P3.Accounting: Collects and logs usage data for auditing or billing
✓ P4.Authentication: Typically performed first in the AAA process
✓ P5.Authorization: Can use attributes like privilege level or ACLs

Why P1: Authentication verifies identity; Authorization determines permitted actions; Accounting tracks usage for auditing or billing.

Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026

Question Discussion

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