- A
The ASA is performing NAT on the VPN traffic.
Why wrong: NAT on VPN traffic is unusual and would not prevent access to the server if the server is on the corporate network.
- B
The DNS resolution for the file server is failing due to VPN DNS settings.
Split tunneling often requires DNS to be resolved via the corporate DNS server; misconfiguration can cause resolution failures.
- C
The file server's firewall is blocking VPN traffic.
Why wrong: If the file server's firewall were blocking, the issue would likely affect all users consistently, not just some.
- D
The split tunnel ACL is not being applied correctly, and traffic is going direct to internet.
Why wrong: The ACL is confirmed correct; if traffic were going direct, it would still reach the server if routable, which it's not likely.
Quick Answer
The answer is a DNS resolution failure caused by improper VPN DNS settings. When split tunneling is configured, corporate DNS queries must be forwarded to the internal DNS server through the tunnel; if the AnyConnect client instead uses a local internet DNS server, it cannot resolve internal hostnames like the file server’s name to its IP address 10.2.3.4, even though the IP itself is reachable. This tests your understanding of how split tunneling interacts with DNS on the Cisco SCOR / CCNP Security Core 350-701 exam, often appearing as a trap where candidates focus solely on the ACL or routing while overlooking the DNS configuration on the VPN adapter. A common memory tip is “Split tunnel, split DNS—if the DNS server isn’t in the tunnel, the name won’t resolve.”
350-701 Network Security Practice Question
This 350-701 practice question tests your understanding of network security. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 company's remote employees use Cisco AnyConnect to connect to the corporate network. The VPN is configured with split tunneling so that only traffic to the corporate subnet (10.0.0.0/8) goes through the tunnel, and all other traffic goes directly to the internet. Recently, several employees reported that they cannot access the corporate file server (IP 10.2.3.4) even though they can connect to the VPN. The network team checks the ASA configuration and confirms that the split tunnel ACL includes the corporate subnet. The AnyConnect client shows that it is connected. What is the most likely cause of the issue?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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
The DNS resolution for the file server is failing due to VPN DNS settings.
When split tunneling is configured, DNS queries for corporate resources are often sent to the corporate DNS server through the tunnel. If the VPN adapter's DNS settings are not properly configured or the corporate DNS server is unreachable, the client cannot resolve the file server's hostname to its IP address (10.2.3.4), even though the IP itself is reachable via the tunnel. This is a common misconfiguration where the client uses its local DNS server, which does not have records for the internal corporate domain.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The ASA is performing NAT on the VPN traffic.
- ✓
The DNS resolution for the file server is failing due to VPN DNS settings.
Why this is correct
Split tunneling often requires DNS to be resolved via the corporate DNS server; misconfiguration can cause resolution failures.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The file server's firewall is blocking VPN traffic.
Why it's wrong here
If the file server's firewall were blocking, the issue would likely affect all users consistently, not just some.
- ✗
The split tunnel ACL is not being applied correctly, and traffic is going direct to internet.
Why it's wrong here
The ACL is confirmed correct; if traffic were going direct, it would still reach the server if routable, which it's not likely.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between network-layer connectivity (IP reachable) and application-layer resolution (DNS), leading candidates to focus on routing or firewall issues when the real problem is DNS misconfiguration in split-tunnel scenarios.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cisco AnyConnect uses the VPN adapter's DNS suffix and name server settings to direct DNS queries. When split tunneling is enabled, the client can be configured to send all DNS queries through the tunnel (full DNS) or only queries for specific domains (split DNS). If the corporate DNS server is not reachable or the client's DNS suffix is missing, the client will fail to resolve internal hostnames, even though the IP is reachable. This is a classic layer 7 issue that can be diagnosed by attempting to access the server via its IP address directly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 350-701 question test?
Network Security — This question tests Network Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The DNS resolution for the file server is failing due to VPN DNS settings. — When split tunneling is configured, DNS queries for corporate resources are often sent to the corporate DNS server through the tunnel. If the VPN adapter's DNS settings are not properly configured or the corporate DNS server is unreachable, the client cannot resolve the file server's hostname to its IP address (10.2.3.4), even though the IP itself is reachable via the tunnel. This is a common misconfiguration where the client uses its local DNS server, which does not have records for the internal corporate domain.
What should I do if I get this 350-701 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
This 350-701 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco 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 350-701 exam.
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