This VA-003 practice question tests your understanding of compare authentication methods. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
An administrator wants to use Vault's authentication method that allows users to log in with their corporate credentials via a federated identity system. The credentials are stored in an external identity provider (IdP) and Vault should not store any passwords. Which authentication method should be configured?
LDAP authentication
Why wrong: Vault must have access to the LDAP directory and stores bind credentials.
OIDC authentication
Uses external IdP for authentication, no password stored in Vault.
Userpass authentication
Why wrong: Vault stores hashed passwords internally.
Token authentication
Why wrong: Token is not user authentication, it's a pre-existing credential.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
OIDC authentication
OIDC authentication delegates authentication to an external IdP, Vault never sees the password. LDAP stores hashed passwords at rest, userpass stores hashed passwords, and token is Vault-native.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
LDAP authentication
Why it's wrong here
Vault must have access to the LDAP directory and stores bind credentials.
OIDC authentication
Why this is correct
Uses external IdP for authentication, no password stored in Vault.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Userpass authentication
Why it's wrong here
Vault stores hashed passwords internally.
Token authentication
Why it's wrong here
Token is not user authentication, it's a pre-existing credential.
Common exam traps
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related VA-003 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
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FAQ
Compare authentication methods — This question tests Compare authentication methods — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
The correct answer is: OIDC authentication — OIDC authentication delegates authentication to an external IdP, Vault never sees the password. LDAP stores hashed passwords at rest, userpass stores hashed passwords, and token is Vault-native.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related VA-003 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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