In which of the following access authentication methods, the terminal must obtain an IP address before authentication?

Question

Options

• APortal
• BMAC authentication
• CMAC bypass authentication

• A
  16% (6)
• B
  76% (29)
• C
  8% (3)

Explanation

MAC authentication (B) is correct because the terminal must first complete DHCP to acquire an IP address before the authentication check is performed - the system identifies and authenticates the device using its MAC-IP pairing, so the IP assignment is a prerequisite to the auth flow.

Portal (A) is a distractor because, although a portal-authenticated terminal also needs an IP (to reach the web redirect), portal is primarily a user-level authentication triggered manually through a browser - not a terminal-initiated process that requires the IP as a technical dependency.

MAC bypass (C) is incorrect because "bypass" means exactly that: the method operates at Layer 2 using only the MAC address, deliberately skipping the IP requirement - it exists as a fallback for devices incapable of 802.1X, where authentication happens before or without DHCP.

Memory tip: Think of it this way - MAC bypass bypasses the IP requirement; MAC authentication authenticates the terminal using both identifiers (MAC + IP), so the IP must come first.

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