Drag and drop each 802.1X component on the left to its matching role on the right.
Drag a concept onto its matching description — or click a concept then click the description.
Client device requesting network access
Network device that enforces port-based access control
RADIUS server that validates credentials and returns authorization attributes
Protocol used between supplicant and authenticator to carry EAP frames
Protocol used between authenticator and authentication server for AAA
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Supplicant: Client device requesting network access
The supplicant requests access, the authenticator (switch/AP) enforces port control, and the authentication server (RADIUS) validates credentials.
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
Network Access Control and AAA
Key term
Cisco ISE
Cisco Identity Services Engine is a security policy management platform that controls who can access a network and what they can do once connected.
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.
About these practice questions
One of 1,175 original 350-401 practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
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 802.1X component on the left to its matching role on the right.
mediumWhy P1: Supplicant requests access, Authenticator enforces port state, Authentication Server validates credentials.
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.