- A
WPA2-PSK with a strong passphrase
Why wrong: PSK uses a shared passphrase; anyone who knows it can connect, which does not restrict access to only company laptops.
- B
WPA3-SAE (Simultaneous Authentication of Equals)
Why wrong: WPA3-SAE is a personal mode, similar to PSK but more secure; it still uses a shared credential, not per-device authentication.
- C
802.1X with a RADIUS server
802.1X requires each device to authenticate individually via a RADIUS server, allowing only authorized company laptops to connect.
- D
MAC address filtering
Why wrong: MAC filtering can be spoofed and is not a secure authentication method; it does not encrypt data and is easily bypassed.
Question 914 of 1,020
WPA2-Enterprise: Using 802.1X/RADIUS for Secure Authentication
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of wireless networking technologies. 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.
A technician is configuring a new wireless network for a small business. The owner wants to ensure that only company-issued laptops can connect, and that data is encrypted. The laptops support WPA2-Enterprise. Which authentication method should be used?
Quick Answer
The correct choice is 802.1X with a RADIUS server, because WPA2-Enterprise relies on this combination to authenticate each device individually against a central database before granting network access. Unlike WPA2-Personal, which uses a single pre-shared key, 802.1X requires a RADIUS server to verify credentials—such as certificates on company-issued laptops—ensuring only authorized devices connect while also enabling strong data encryption. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of enterprise authentication methods; a common trap is confusing WPA2-Enterprise with WPA2-Personal or assuming a simple password suffices. Remember that “Enterprise” implies a server-based authentication infrastructure, not a shared key. A helpful memory tip: think of RADIUS as the gatekeeper that checks each laptop’s ID card before opening the wireless door.
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
✓
802.1X with a RADIUS server
Option C is correct because WPA2-Enterprise uses 802.1X authentication, which requires a RADIUS server to validate individual user or device credentials. This allows the business to enforce that only company-issued laptops (which have the correct certificates or credentials) can connect, while also providing strong per-session encryption via dynamic WPA2 keys.
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.
- ✗
WPA2-PSK with a strong passphrase
Why it's wrong here
PSK uses a shared passphrase; anyone who knows it can connect, which does not restrict access to only company laptops.
- ✗
WPA3-SAE (Simultaneous Authentication of Equals)
Why it's wrong here
WPA3-SAE is a personal mode, similar to PSK but more secure; it still uses a shared credential, not per-device authentication.
- ✓
802.1X with a RADIUS server
- ✗
MAC address filtering
Why it's wrong here
MAC filtering can be spoofed and is not a secure authentication method; it does not encrypt data and is easily bypassed.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the distinction between personal-mode (PSK/SAE) and enterprise-mode (802.1X/RADIUS), and the trap here is that candidates see 'WPA2-Enterprise' in the question but then incorrectly choose WPA2-PSK or WPA3-SAE because they focus on encryption strength rather than the authentication mechanism required for per-device control.
Trap categories for this question
Keyword trap
PSK uses a shared passphrase; anyone who knows it can connect, which does not restrict access to only company laptops.
Similar concept trap
WPA3-SAE is a personal mode, similar to PSK but more secure; it still uses a shared credential, not per-device authentication.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, 802.1X uses EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol) over LAN, where the client (supplicant) communicates with the RADIUS server (authentication server) via the access point (authenticator). The RADIUS server can validate certificates (e.g., EAP-TLS) or credentials (e.g., PEAP-MSCHAPv2), and upon success, it generates a unique pairwise master key (PMK) for that session, ensuring each client has a distinct encryption key. In a real-world scenario, a small business might deploy a RADIUS server like FreeRADIUS or a Windows NPS to issue certificates to company laptops, automatically blocking any non-issued device.
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.
Quick reference
AAA Protocol Comparison
| 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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Wireless Networking Technologies — This question tests Wireless Networking Technologies — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 802.1X with a RADIUS server — Option C is correct because WPA2-Enterprise uses 802.1X authentication, which requires a RADIUS server to validate individual user or device credentials. This allows the business to enforce that only company-issued laptops (which have the correct certificates or credentials) can connect, while also providing strong per-session encryption via dynamic WPA2 keys.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 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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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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