Drag and drop each protocol on the left to its matching characteristic on the right.
Drag a concept onto its matching description — or click a concept then click the description.
Uses UDP transport; Encrypts only the password in the packet; Combines authentication and authorization into one process
Uses TCP transport; Encrypts the entire packet payload
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
RADIUS: Uses UDP transport
RADIUS uses UDP, encrypts only the password, and combines authentication and authorization. TACACS+ uses TCP, encrypts the entire packet, and separates authentication, authorization, and accounting.
Quick reference
| 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.
Go deeper
Learn chapter
VLANs and Spanning Tree Protocol Concepts
Key term
RADIUS vs TACACS+
RADIUS and TACACS+ are two network protocols used to verify user identities and control access to network devices and services, with different approaches to security and flexibility.
Key term
802.1X Authentication
802.1X is a network access control protocol that prevents unauthorized devices from connecting to a wired or wireless network by requiring them to authenticate before gaining access.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 350-401 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 350-401 exam.