Cisco 300-715 Practice Test Questions, Exam Dumps

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300-715 Cisco Practice Test Questions and Exam Dumps

Question No 1:

Which personas can a Cisco ISE node assume?

A. policy service, gatekeeping, and monitoring
B. administration, monitoring, and gatekeeping
C. administration, policy service, and monitoring
D. administration, policy service, gatekeeping

Correct Answer: D

Explanation:

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) is a flexible and scalable solution for network security management. It allows administrators to configure, enforce, and monitor security policies for network access. ISE nodes can assume different "personas," which are distinct roles that a node can play within the overall system architecture.

The correct answer is D because the three primary personas that a Cisco ISE node can assume are administration, policy service, and gatekeeping:

Administration: This persona allows the node to manage system configurations, user access, and operational settings. A node with the administration persona is used to perform administrative tasks like managing policies, authentication settings, and system updates.
Policy Service: The policy service persona is responsible for enforcing policies related to authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA). It handles user authentication requests, applies policies, and determines if access is allowed based on predefined rules.
Gatekeeping: A node with the gatekeeping persona handles the actual network access control (NAC). It is responsible for controlling network access and interacting with the network infrastructure, such as switches and wireless controllers, to enforce the decisions made by the policy service.

Now, let’s look at why the other options are incorrect:

A. Policy service, gatekeeping, and monitoring: While these are important functions, the administration persona is a core role that enables configuration and management of ISE. Therefore, this option is incomplete because it omits administration.
B. Administration, monitoring, and gatekeeping: Monitoring is indeed an important aspect of Cisco ISE, but it is not classified as one of the primary personas. Monitoring is typically a separate function that can be implemented on any of the personas, but it does not directly correspond to one of the primary personas of Cisco ISE nodes.
C. Administration, policy service, and monitoring: As stated, monitoring is important, but it is not considered a primary persona in Cisco ISE. Therefore, this option is also incorrect because it excludes gatekeeping, which is a crucial function for network access control.

In summary, the correct answer is D, as the key personas a Cisco ISE node can assume are administration, policy service, and gatekeeping. These roles help ensure a balanced approach to network security, offering control over both configuration and enforcement of security policies.

Question No 2:

What happens when a secondary node is deregistered in a Cisco ISE distributed deployment with two nodes?

A. The secondary node restarts.
B. The primary node restarts.
C. Both nodes restart.
D. The primary node becomes standalone.

Correct Answer: D

Explanation:

In a Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) distributed deployment, two types of nodes exist: the primary node and the secondary node. The primary node is typically the central point of configuration and management, while the secondary node is used for load balancing and redundancy. The two nodes communicate to synchronize data and provide continuous service in case one node fails.

When a secondary node is deregistered, the system's behavior is determined by how ISE handles node relationships in a distributed setup. In this case, deregistering the secondary node causes the primary node to transition into a standalone mode. This means that the primary node will continue to function, but it will no longer have the secondary node to provide redundancy, load balancing, or data synchronization. It essentially operates as if it were a single-node deployment, no longer part of the distributed environment.

Let’s review the other options to see why they are incorrect:

A. The secondary node restarting would be a normal response to various events like updates or reboots, but in the case of deregistration, it is removed from the deployment, not restarted.

B. The primary node restarting would be an unlikely consequence of deregistering the secondary node. Cisco ISE is designed to maintain primary node operations independently of secondary nodes, so it does not require a restart when the secondary node is deregistered.

C. Both nodes restarting is not the expected outcome. Only the primary node would change its state to standalone after the secondary node is deregistered.

Therefore, D is the correct answer. When the secondary node is deregistered, the primary node transitions into standalone mode and functions independently, without the redundancy or load balancing previously provided by the secondary node.

Question No 3:

Which two features are available when the primary admin node is down and the secondary admin node has not been promoted? (Choose two.)

A. new AD user 802.1X authentication
B. hotspot
C. posture
D. guest AUP
E. BYOD

Answer: B, D

Explanation:

When the primary admin node goes down and the secondary admin node has not been promoted, certain features in a networked environment can still function, while others may be limited or unavailable. The system typically operates with reduced functionality, relying on locally available services or default configurations. In this situation, features that do not rely heavily on the admin node being up or that have minimal dependency on centralized management can still be available.

Here is the detailed reasoning for each option:

B. Hotspot: The hotspot feature generally refers to providing a network access point for users, often with a specific login or authentication process. In many systems, this feature is supported even when the primary admin node is down because it can operate independently, relying on the pre-configured policies or local authentication mechanisms. This feature would be available, allowing users to connect to the network via a hotspot service even if the admin node is unavailable.
D. Guest AUP (Acceptable Use Policy): The guest AUP typically allows temporary or guest users to accept a set of terms and conditions to access the network. This process is often handled at the local level and can continue to function even when the primary admin node is down, as long as the secondary admin node has not been promoted. The system may still show the AUP page and enforce guest access restrictions locally.

Now, let's consider why the other options are incorrect or less likely to be available:

A. New AD user 802.1X authentication: Active Directory (AD) user authentication typically requires a connection to the primary admin node, which performs user lookups and enforces authentication policies. Since the primary admin node is down and the secondary admin node has not been promoted, the AD user authentication process would likely be unavailable, as it relies on the central node to manage users and authentication.
C. Posture: Posture assessment, which checks the health and compliance of a device before granting access to the network, generally depends on the availability of central policy enforcement and management servers. If the primary admin node is down and the secondary admin node is not yet promoted, the system may not be able to perform comprehensive posture checks, as the necessary policies or assessments may be unavailable.
E. BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): The BYOD feature usually requires extensive configuration and communication with centralized policy enforcement systems, often managed by the primary admin node. When the primary admin node is down and the secondary admin node has not been promoted, BYOD functionality may not be fully operational since it likely depends on the centralized policies and user/device profiles managed by the admin nodes.

In conclusion, when the primary admin node is down and the secondary admin node has not been promoted, hotspot (B) and guest AUP (D) are features that can still be available because they can operate with limited dependency on the centralized admin node, using locally stored configurations and rules.

Question No 4:

Which supplicant(s) and server(s) are capable of supporting EAP-CHAINING?

A. Cisco Secure Services Client and Cisco Access Control Server
B. Cisco AnyConnect NAM and Cisco Identity Service Engine
C. Cisco AnyConnect NAM and Cisco Access Control Server
D. Windows Native Supplicant and Cisco Identity Service Engine

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

EAP-CHAINING is a method used in 802.1X authentication to allow multiple Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) methods to be used in sequence, providing additional layers of security during the authentication process. The supplicant and server involved in EAP-CHAINING must support this mechanism to ensure proper communication and authentication flow.

Cisco AnyConnect NAM (Network Access Manager) is a popular Cisco client software used for managing network access control on devices. It provides support for advanced authentication protocols, including EAP-CHAINING, which makes it capable of initiating and managing the authentication process using multiple EAP methods in a sequence.
Cisco Identity Service Engine (ISE) is a comprehensive network policy management and access control solution from Cisco. It is capable of handling complex authentication scenarios, including EAP-CHAINING. Cisco ISE can manage the entire authentication workflow, including chaining multiple EAP methods together based on policy configurations, enabling multi-step authentication processes for enhanced security.

When combined, Cisco AnyConnect NAM and Cisco ISE can work together to support EAP-CHAINING, allowing organizations to implement multi-method authentication sequences that are essential for certain high-security environments.

The other options are not correct for the following reasons:

A. Cisco Secure Services Client and Cisco Access Control Server: While the Cisco Secure Services Client (a legacy client) and Cisco Access Control Server (ACS) were widely used for network access control, they do not natively support EAP-CHAINING in the same way that more modern solutions like Cisco AnyConnect NAM and Cisco ISE do.
C. Cisco AnyConnect NAM and Cisco Access Control Server: While Cisco AnyConnect NAM supports advanced authentication methods, the Cisco Access Control Server (ACS) is now considered outdated and lacks the advanced features offered by Cisco ISE, such as the support for EAP-CHAINING. Cisco ISE is the more capable solution for these types of configurations.
D. Windows Native Supplicant and Cisco Identity Service Engine: While the Windows native supplicant supports EAP methods, it does not natively support EAP-CHAINING. EAP-CHAINING requires more advanced functionality, typically provided by more specialized supplicants like Cisco AnyConnect NAM. The Windows native supplicant, while capable, does not have the necessary features to chain multiple EAP methods together on its own.

Therefore, the correct answer is B, where both Cisco AnyConnect NAM and Cisco Identity Service Engine support EAP-CHAINING effectively.

Question No 5:

What is a requirement for Feed Service to work?

A. TCP port 8080 must be opened between Cisco ISE and the feed server.
B. Cisco ISE has access to an internal server to download feed update.
C. Cisco ISE has a base license.
D. Cisco ISE has Internet access to download feed update.

Correct Answer: D

Explanation:

The Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) uses the Feed Service to download and apply updates for various types of security feeds, including profiling, vulnerability databases, and device identity updates. The proper functioning of the Feed Service relies on Cisco ISE being able to access external sources for these updates.

Option D is correct because Cisco ISE requires Internet access to download feed updates. The feed updates typically come from Cisco’s cloud-based servers or other external sources. Therefore, ISE needs a valid Internet connection to ensure it can download these updates automatically, keeping its threat intelligence and profiling data up-to-date. Without an Internet connection, the Feed Service cannot function properly because it cannot reach the external feed servers.

Option A is incorrect because while network connectivity is crucial for the Feed Service to function, TCP port 8080 is not necessarily required between Cisco ISE and the feed server. The specific ports required may depend on the configuration of the system and the external servers involved. Feed updates generally rely on standard HTTP or HTTPS ports, which would typically be port 80 or 443, not 8080.

Option B is incorrect because while internal server access could be used for some updates, the Feed Service is primarily concerned with pulling data from external sources, which require Internet access. Internal servers would be relevant only in specific cases, such as when an organization uses a local mirror for updates, but they are not a general requirement for the Feed Service to work.

Option C is incorrect because having a base license is not specifically tied to the functionality of the Feed Service. The Feed Service operates independently of the license type, as long as the system is capable of downloading updates from external sources. License constraints might affect other features or capabilities, but they do not prevent the Feed Service from working as long as network connectivity is in place.

Therefore, the correct answer is D because Cisco ISE needs an Internet connection to download the necessary feed updates that ensure it can provide accurate and up-to-date profiling and security information.

Question No 6:

What is a method for transporting security group tags throughout the network?

A. by embedding the security group tag in the 802.1Q header
B. by the Security Group Tag Exchange Protocol
C. by enabling 802.1AE on every network device
D. by embedding the security group tag in the IP header

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

The correct method for transporting security group tags across a network is to embed the security group tag in the 802.1Q header. The 802.1Q standard defines VLAN tagging, which can also be used to carry additional metadata like security group tags. This allows network devices, such as switches, to recognize and enforce policies based on the security group of the traffic, in addition to traditional VLAN-based segmentation. Security group tags are especially useful in cloud environments, where they help to define and manage network traffic according to the security group memberships of the devices.

Let’s break down the other options:

B. Security Group Tag Exchange Protocol: While this option sounds plausible, it does not exist as a widely recognized standard for transporting security group tags. The concept of exchanging tags might be part of internal protocols in cloud-based platforms or private networks, but there is no established, standardized protocol with this name. The transport of security group tags typically relies on modifying headers (as in 802.1Q) rather than using a dedicated protocol for exchange.
C. Enabling 802.1AE on every network device: 802.1AE refers to the MAC Security (MACsec) standard, which provides data confidentiality and integrity at Layer 2. While 802.1AE secures communications between devices, it is unrelated to the transport of security group tags. Enabling MACsec does not embed or transport security group tags across the network; it focuses on encrypting traffic for privacy and authenticity.
D. Embedding the security group tag in the IP header: This option is also incorrect. The IP header, which operates at Layer 3, is not typically used for carrying security group tags in standard networking practices. Security group tags are generally carried within Layer 2 headers (such as 802.1Q) or Layer 3 headers, but embedding tags directly in the IP header is not a standard method for network-wide tag transport.

In summary, the most accurate and commonly implemented method for transporting security group tags across a network is to embed them in the 802.1Q header (Option A). This allows network devices to appropriately tag and handle traffic based on the defined security groups, facilitating proper network segmentation and security enforcement.

Question No 7:

An engineer is configuring a virtual Cisco ISE deployment and needs each persona to be on a different node. Which persona should be configured with the largest amount of storage in this environment?

A. Monitoring and Troubleshooting
B. Policy Services
C. Primary Administration
D. Platform Exchange Grid

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

In a Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) deployment, various personas can be assigned to different nodes to distribute the system’s functionality and workload. The Monitoring and Troubleshooting persona requires the largest amount of storage because it is responsible for storing and managing the extensive logs, reports, and troubleshooting data associated with the system’s operation.

A. Monitoring and Troubleshooting: This persona collects and stores logs and troubleshooting information, which can be quite large in environments with a lot of network activity. It is tasked with monitoring system performance, gathering event logs, and performing troubleshooting, all of which require substantial disk space to store the data. As logs and reports accumulate over time, it becomes essential to allocate more storage to this persona to ensure sufficient capacity for long-term data retention and analysis.
B. Policy Services: The Policy Services persona is responsible for enforcing network access policies, handling authentication requests, and managing user sessions. While this persona is critical for the operation of the system, it does not typically require the largest amount of storage compared to the Monitoring and Troubleshooting persona, which deals with large volumes of log data and reports.
C. Primary Administration: This persona manages the administration and configuration of the ISE system, including user roles and permissions. It requires some storage, but not as much as the Monitoring and Troubleshooting persona, because its function is focused more on system management rather than on large-scale log storage or data analysis.
D. Platform Exchange Grid: The Platform Exchange Grid (PXGrid) persona facilitates communication and integration between Cisco ISE and other network devices and applications. While it is important for interoperability and data exchange, it does not demand as much storage as the Monitoring and Troubleshooting persona, which stores large volumes of log and diagnostic data.

Thus, the correct answer is A, as the Monitoring and Troubleshooting persona handles the data-heavy tasks of logging and analysis, which require the most storage in a virtual Cisco ISE deployment.

Question No 8:

In a standalone Cisco ISE deployment, which two personas are configured on a node? (Choose two.)

A. subscriber
B. primary
C. administration
D. publisher
E. policy service

Answer: C, E

Explanation:

In a standalone Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) deployment, two personas are configured on a single node to handle different functions:

C. Administration: The administration persona is responsible for managing the overall configuration of Cisco ISE. This includes user access to the ISE administrative interface, configuration of policies, system settings, and managing ISE services. In a standalone deployment, this persona is enabled on the same node that houses the policy services, making it the central point for ISE management.
E. Policy Service: The policy service persona handles the core functionality of Cisco ISE, such as the authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) services. It is responsible for evaluating and enforcing policies for network access and security. In a standalone deployment, this persona is also configured on the same node that runs the administration persona, providing both the policy enforcement and the administrative functions on a single node.

Now, looking at the other options:

A. Subscriber: This persona is used in a distributed Cisco ISE deployment, where there is a primary node (publisher) and one or more secondary nodes (subscribers). The subscriber is responsible for replicating data from the publisher and handling policy requests. However, in a standalone deployment, there is no concept of a subscriber, as there is only a single node.
B. Primary: The term "primary" generally refers to the primary node in a distributed deployment. In a standalone deployment, the concept of "primary" is not relevant because there is only one node that serves all roles.
D. Publisher: Similar to the primary persona, the publisher is a persona used in a distributed deployment. The publisher is responsible for distributing configurations and policies to the subscriber nodes. In a standalone deployment, the publisher persona does not apply because there are no secondary nodes to synchronize with.

In conclusion, for a standalone Cisco ISE deployment, the two personas configured on a node are administration and policy service. These allow the node to manage configurations and enforce policies in a single-node setup.

Question No 9:

A network engineer must enforce access control using special tags, without re-engineering the network design. Which feature should be configured to achieve this in a scalable manner?

A. RBAC
B. dACL
C. SGT
D. VLAN

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

The scenario described requires the network engineer to implement access control based on special tags, and it must be done in a scalable manner without needing to redesign the existing network architecture. The correct solution here is SGT (Security Group Tag).

Why SGT?

SGT (Security Group Tag) is a feature used in network environments to assign security tags to traffic based on security group membership. This allows organizations to enforce access control policies based on the classification of the traffic rather than requiring changes to the underlying network topology, such as creating new VLANs. The SGT tag is added to network traffic, and this tag can be used by security devices like firewalls or switches to make access control decisions.

The main advantage of SGTs is that they enable network-wide enforcement of policies based on security tags. Once a security tag is applied to a device or traffic, network devices can use these tags to determine whether the traffic should be allowed or denied, without having to re-engineer the network’s physical or logical design. This makes it a highly scalable solution for access control.

Why not the other options?

A. RBAC (Role-Based Access Control):
RBAC is an important access control model, but it is generally used at the application or system level rather than for network infrastructure. It controls what actions users or devices can perform based on their assigned roles, but it doesn’t inherently rely on "special tags" for enforcement. RBAC by itself doesn’t meet the specific requirement for enforcing access control using network tags.

B. dACL (Dynamic Access Control List):
A dACL is a security mechanism used to dynamically assign access control lists based on the identity of a user or device. While useful in certain contexts, dACLs require more manual configuration and are less scalable when compared to SGTs. Moreover, dACLs are more about controlling access on a per-device or per-user basis, whereas SGTs allow for broader scalability across the network.

D. VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network):
VLANs are used to segment network traffic at a Layer 2 level, providing isolation between different parts of the network. While VLANs are a fundamental network design tool, they do not offer a scalable way to enforce access control based on tags without re-engineering the network. VLANs segregate traffic based on port or physical locations, and creating new VLANs for access control can become cumbersome and inefficient at scale, especially when the requirement is based on tags that are not tied to specific physical locations or device types.

In summary, SGT (Security Group Tags) offer a flexible, scalable, and efficient solution to enforce access control using special tags, making it the best choice for this scenario.