This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of manage users and groups. 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.
A system administrator needs to ensure that a user named 'jdoe' can execute commands as root without being prompted for a password. Which configuration change should be made?
Add 'jdoe ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: ALL' to /etc/sudoers via visudo
This grants passwordless sudo access.
Add jdoe to the wheel group and configure /etc/sudoers with '%wheel ALL=(ALL) ALL'
Why wrong: This requires a password for sudo, not NOPASSWD.
Set the UID of jdoe to 0
Why wrong: Setting UID to 0 is insecure and not a standard practice.
Add jdoe to the root group
Why wrong: Being in the root group does not grant sudo privileges.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Add 'jdoe ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: ALL' to /etc/sudoers via visudo
Option C is correct because adding 'jdoe ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: ALL' to /etc/sudoers via visudo allows passwordless sudo for all commands. Option A adds jdoe to the wheel group with password required. Option B does not grant sudo privileges. Option D changes UID to 0, which is not recommended and can cause issues.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Add 'jdoe ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: ALL' to /etc/sudoers via visudo
Why this is correct
This grants passwordless sudo access.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
Add jdoe to the wheel group and configure /etc/sudoers with '%wheel ALL=(ALL) ALL'
Why it's wrong here
This requires a password for sudo, not NOPASSWD.
Set the UID of jdoe to 0
Why it's wrong here
Setting UID to 0 is insecure and not a standard practice.
Add jdoe to the root group
Why it's wrong here
Being in the root group does not grant sudo privileges.
Common exam traps
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
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.
What to study next
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related EX200 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
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FAQ
Manage users and groups — This question tests Manage users and groups — Authentication checks who the user is..
The correct answer is: Add 'jdoe ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: ALL' to /etc/sudoers via visudo — Option C is correct because adding 'jdoe ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: ALL' to /etc/sudoers via visudo allows passwordless sudo for all commands. Option A adds jdoe to the wheel group with password required. Option B does not grant sudo privileges. Option D changes UID to 0, which is not recommended and can cause issues.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related EX200 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Authentication checks who the user is.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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