The answer is a missing IKEv2 proposal match on the Azure side. This is correct because when a Cisco router initiates a site-to-site VPN tunnel to an Azure VPN gateway, the IKEv2 proposal parameters—specifically the encryption algorithm (e.g., AES256), integrity algorithm (e.g., SHA256), and Diffie-Hellman group (e.g., Group 14)—must be identical on both peers; if the Cisco router’s crypto ikev2 proposal deviates from Azure’s required settings, the IKEv2 SA negotiation fails, and the tunnel never establishes. On the Cisco SCOR / CCNP Security Core 350-701 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of cloud VPN interoperability and IKEv2 proposal negotiation, often appearing as a tricky exhibit where the router’s proposal uses a weaker DH group or mismatched encryption. A common trap is assuming the Azure side auto-negotiates, but it enforces strict defaults. Memory tip: think “AES256 + SHA256 + DH14” as the Azure IKEv2 proposal baseline—any deviation breaks the tunnel.
350-701 Cloud Security Practice Question
This 350-701 practice question tests your understanding of cloud 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.
Exhibit
crypto ikev2 proposal azure-proposal
encryption aes-cbc-256
integrity sha256
group 14
!
crypto ikev2 policy azure-policy
match fvrf any
proposal azure-proposal
!
crypto ipsec transform-set azure-transform esp-aes 256 esp-sha256-hmac
mode tunnel
!
crypto map AZURE-MAP 10 ipsec-isakmp
set peer 20.10.0.1
set transform-set azure-transform
match address azure-traffic
!
interface Tunnel200
ip address 10.10.10.1 255.255.255.252
tunnel source GigabitEthernet0/0
tunnel destination 20.10.0.1
tunnel mode ipsec ipv4
crypto map AZURE-MAP
!
ip access-list extended azure-traffic
permit ip 192.168.0.0 0.0.255.255 172.16.0.0 0.0.255.255
Refer to the exhibit. A network engineer configures a site-to-site VPN between a Cisco router and an Azure VPN gateway. After configuration, the tunnel is not coming up. Which issue is most likely causing the problem?
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 the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Missing IKEv2 proposal match on the Azure side
The most likely issue is a mismatch in IKEv2 proposals between the Cisco router and the Azure VPNgateway. Azure requires specific IKEv2 encryption (e.g., AES256), integrity (e.g., SHA256), and DH group (e.g., DH Group 14) parameters. If the Cisco router's crypto ikev2 proposal does not exactly match the Azure-side settings, the IKEv2 SA negotiation fails, preventing the tunnel from coming up.
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 access list is not permitting the correct source/destination traffic
Why it's wrong here
The ACL defines what traffic to encrypt, but the tunnel is formed before traffic is sent.
✗
The tunnel mode is not set to transport
Why it's wrong here
Tunnel mode is correct for site-to-site IPsec VPNs over the internet.
✓
Missing IKEv2 proposal match on the Azure side
Why this is correct
Azure VPNgateway requires matching IKE proposals; mismatch prevents tunnel establishment.
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 crypto map does not specify the local identity
Why it's wrong here
Local identity is optional and usually derived from the tunnel source IP.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the concept that IKEv2 proposal mismatches are a frequent cause of tunnel failures when connecting to cloud providers like Azure, AWS, or GCP, and candidates mistakenly blame ACLs or crypto map issues instead of verifying the transform sets.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
IKEv2 (RFC 7296) uses a two-phase process: Phase 1 (IKE_SA_INIT) negotiates cryptographic parameters (encryption, integrity, DH group) via proposal exchanges. Azure VPNGateway enforces specific mandatory transforms (e.g., AES256, SHA256, DH14) and will reject any proposal that deviates. The Cisco router's 'crypto ikev2 proposal' command must match these exactly; a common mistake is using default values (e.g., 3DES, MD5, DH2) which Azure does not support. The failure occurs at the IKE_SA_INIT exchange, logged as 'no acceptable proposal' on the router.
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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Cloud Security — This question tests Cloud Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Missing IKEv2 proposal match on the Azure side — The most likely issue is a mismatch in IKEv2 proposals between the Cisco router and the Azure VPN gateway. Azure requires specific IKEv2 encryption (e.g., AES256), integrity (e.g., SHA256), and DH group (e.g., DH Group 14) parameters. If the Cisco router's crypto ikev2 proposal does not exactly match the Azure-side settings, the IKEv2 SA negotiation fails, preventing the tunnel from coming up.
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.
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Question Discussion
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