JNCIP-ENT Layer 2 Authentication And Access Control Practice Question
An EX Series switch is configured with 802.1X and MAC RADIUS. A client device connects that does not support 802.1X. The switch attempts 802.1X, times out, and successfully falls back to MAC RADIUS. However, the administrator notices a significant delay (several seconds) before the MAC RADIUS request is sent to the server. What parameter should be tuned to reduce this delay?
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
✓
Reduce the 'supp-timeout' and 'max-retries' parameters under the 802.1X interface configuration.
The delay is caused by the 802.1X supplicant timeout and retries before giving up and falling back to MAC RADIUS. Reducing 'supp-timeout' and 'max-retries' minimizes this delay.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Reduce the 'supp-timeout' and 'max-retries' parameters under the 802.1X interface configuration.
Why this is correct
Correct. Tuning down dot1x retry counts and timeouts accelerates the transition to fallback methods.
- ✗
Increase the 'server-timeout' parameter in the access-profile configuration.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Increasing server timeout would make the delay worse.
- ✗
Disable EAPOL-start message generation on the switch port.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Disabling EAPOL-start breaks standard 802.1X client handshakes.
- ✗
Enable fast-reauth under the system authentication options.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Fast-reauth applies to re-authentication intervals, not initial failures.
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.
About these practice questions
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed August 2026 · checked against the official Juniper Networks exam blueprint
This JNCIP-ENT practice question is part of Courseiva's free Juniper Networks 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 JNCIP-ENT exam.