300-410 Infrastructure Services Practice Question
A network engineer is configuring a DMVPN Phase 3 hub-and-spoke topology. Spokes are behind NAT devices and have dynamically assigned public IP addresses. The engineer wants to ensure that spoke-to-spoke traffic can be established directly without traversing the hub. Which technology should be implemented on the hub to achieve this?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse the roles of NHRP redirect and NHRP shortcut: redirect is on the hub, shortcut is on the spoke.
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
✓
NHRP redirect
In DMVPN Phase 3, the hub uses NHRP redirect to signal spokes about a better path to another spoke. The spoke then uses NHRP shortcut to establish a direct tunnel. The question asks what to implement on the hub, so NHRP redirect is correct. NHRP shortcut is on the spoke, IPsec tunnel protection is for encryption, and multicast replication is for routing protocol support.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
IPsec tunnel protection
Why it's wrong here
IPsec tunnel protection is used to encrypt the DMVPN tunnels, but it does not facilitate spoke-to-spoke direct communication. It is a security feature that can be used in any DMVPN phase, but it does not enable the dynamic creation of spoke-to-spoke tunnels.
- ✗
NHRP shortcut
Why it's wrong here
NHRP shortcut is configured on the spokes, not the hub. It allows the spoke to use the NHRP resolution to create a direct tunnel to another spoke. While it is part of Phase 3, the question specifically asks what should be implemented on the hub to enable the spoke-to-spoke direct communication.
- ✗
Multicast replication
Why it's wrong here
Multicast replication is used for routing protocols over DMVPN, allowing the hub to replicate multicast packets to all spokes. It does not enable direct spoke-to-spoke tunnels; that is the function of NHRP redirect and shortcut in Phase 3.
- ✓
NHRP redirect
Why this is correct
NHRP redirect is a key component of DMVPN Phase 3. The hub sends an NHRP redirect message to the spoke, informing it that a more optimal path exists to the destination spoke. This allows the spoke to initiate a direct tunnel to the other spoke using NHRP resolution, bypassing the hub for data traffic.
Visual reference
Quick reference
Routing Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Metric | Max Hops | Algorithm | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIP v2 | Hop count | 15 | Bellman-Ford | Distance vector |
| OSPF | Cost (bandwidth) | Unlimited | Dijkstra (SPF) | Link state |
| EIGRP | Composite metric | Unlimited | DUAL | Hybrid |
| IS-IS | Cost | Unlimited | Dijkstra | Link state |
| BGP | Policy / attributes | Unlimited | Path vector | Path vector |
RIP's 15-hop limit makes it unsuitable for large networks. OSPF and EIGRP dominate modern enterprise deployments.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Control Plane Policing and Protection
Key term
DMVPN Phase 2
DMVPN Phase 2 is an advanced Cisco routing technology that allows spoke routers to communicate directly with one another without sending traffic through a central hub, using dynamic routing protocols and multipoint GRE tunnels.
Key term
DMVPN Phase 3
DMVPN Phase 3 is a Cisco networking technology that allows branch offices to connect directly to each other without always going through a central hub, but with smarter routing that lets the hub control the traffic paths more efficiently.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
This 300-410 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 300-410 exam.