- A
BFD authentication supports both MD5 and SHA-1 hashing algorithms.
Correct. BFD authentication supports MD5 and SHA-1, and on newer platforms SHA-256 as well.
- B
BFD authentication can be configured in either strict or loose mode.
Correct. Strict mode requires authentication on all BFD packets; loose mode allows unauthenticated packets but authenticates if present.
- C
BFD authentication is only supported for single-hop BFD sessions.
Why wrong: Incorrect. BFD authentication is supported for both single-hop and multihop sessions.
- D
The BFD authentication key is configured directly under the BFD interface configuration.
Why wrong: Incorrect. The key is configured using a key chain, and the key chain is then referenced in the BFD configuration.
- E
BFD authentication uses a pre-shared key that must be identical on both sides.
Why wrong: Incorrect. While the keys must match for authentication to succeed, they are managed via key chains and can be different if using key chain IDs; the statement is misleading because the actual key material must match, but the configuration method is via key chains, not a simple pre-shared key.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is that BFD authentication can be configured in either strict or loose mode. This is because strict mode mandates that every BFD control packet must carry a valid authentication header, while loose mode allows packets without authentication to be accepted, making it optional. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this distinction tests your understanding of how BFD secures sessions against spoofing, and a common trap is confusing the mode with the algorithm—MD5 and SHA-1 are the supported algorithms, not the modes themselves. Remember that strict enforces, loose allows; a helpful memory tip is to think of "strict" as "strictly required" and "loose" as "loosely optional."
300-410 Bidirectional Forwarding Detection (BFD) Practice Question
This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of bidirectional forwarding detection (bfd). This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
Which TWO statements about BFD authentication are true? (Choose TWO.)
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
BFD authentication supports both MD5 and SHA-1 hashing algorithms.
BFD authentication can use MD5, SHA-1, or SHA-256 (depending on platform). The authentication mode can be strict (mandatory) or loose (optional). Key chains are used to manage authentication keys, and the key chain must be configured before applying it to BFD. BFD authentication is supported for both single-hop and multihop sessions.
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.
- ✓
BFD authentication supports both MD5 and SHA-1 hashing algorithms.
Why this is correct
Correct. BFD authentication supports MD5 and SHA-1, and on newer platforms SHA-256 as well.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
BFD authentication can be configured in either strict or loose mode.
Why this is correct
Correct. Strict mode requires authentication on all BFD packets; loose mode allows unauthenticated packets but authenticates if present.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
BFD authentication is only supported for single-hop BFD sessions.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. BFD authentication is supported for both single-hop and multihop sessions.
- ✗
The BFD authentication key is configured directly under the BFD interface configuration.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. The key is configured using a key chain, and the key chain is then referenced in the BFD configuration.
- ✗
BFD authentication uses a pre-shared key that must be identical on both sides.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. While the keys must match for authentication to succeed, they are managed via key chains and can be different if using key chain IDs; the statement is misleading because the actual key material must match, but the configuration method is via key chains, not a simple pre-shared key.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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 practitioner preparing for the 300-410 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which 300-410 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
- →
Bidirectional Forwarding Detection (BFD) — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Bidirectional Forwarding Detection (BFD) practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All 300-410 questions
2,152 questions across all exam domains
- →
Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
300-410 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related 300-410 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Layer 3 Technologies practice questions
Practise 300-410 questions linked to Layer 3 Technologies.
EIGRP Troubleshooting practice questions
Practise 300-410 questions linked to EIGRP Troubleshooting.
OSPF Troubleshooting (v2/v3) practice questions
Practise 300-410 questions linked to OSPF Troubleshooting (v2/v3).
BGP Troubleshooting practice questions
Practise 300-410 questions linked to BGP Troubleshooting.
Route Redistribution practice questions
Practise 300-410 questions linked to Route Redistribution.
Policy-Based Routing (PBR) practice questions
Practise 300-410 questions linked to Policy-Based Routing (PBR).
VRF-Lite practice questions
Practise 300-410 questions linked to VRF-Lite.
Route Maps and Route Filtering practice questions
Practise 300-410 questions linked to Route Maps and Route Filtering.
Administrative Distance practice questions
Practise 300-410 questions linked to Administrative Distance.
Route Summarization practice questions
Practise 300-410 questions linked to Route Summarization.
Bidirectional Forwarding Detection (BFD) practice questions
Practise 300-410 questions linked to Bidirectional Forwarding Detection (BFD).
VPN Technologies practice questions
Practise 300-410 questions linked to VPN Technologies.
Practice this exam
Start a free 300-410 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 300-410 question test?
Bidirectional Forwarding Detection (BFD) — This question tests Bidirectional Forwarding Detection (BFD) — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: BFD authentication supports both MD5 and SHA-1 hashing algorithms. — BFD authentication can use MD5, SHA-1, or SHA-256 (depending on platform). The authentication mode can be strict (mandatory) or loose (optional). Key chains are used to manage authentication keys, and the key chain must be configured before applying it to BFD. BFD authentication is supported for both single-hop and multihop sessions.
What should I do if I get this 300-410 question wrong?
Identify which 300-410 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Keep practising
More 300-410 practice questions
- Drag and drop the steps to negotiate an IKEv2 IPsec site-to-site tunnel into the correct order, from first to last.
- Drag and drop the steps to troubleshoot an IPsec site-to-site VPN adjacency failure into the correct order, from first t…
- Drag and drop the steps to verify and validate the operational state of an IPsec site-to-site VPN into the correct order…
- Drag and drop the steps to configure a GRE tunnel for IPv6 over IPv4 into the correct order, from first to last.
- Drag and drop the steps to troubleshoot IPv6 over IPv4 tunnel adjacency or connectivity failures into the correct order,…
- Drag and drop the steps to verify and validate the operational state of an IPv6 tunneling technique into the correct ord…
Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.