The answer is that the output indicates an IKE Phase 1 SA is established with the remote peer using AES encryption and SHA hash. This is correct because the `show crypto isakmp sa detail` command reveals the ISAKMP security association with a status of `ACTIVE`, which confirms that Phase 1 negotiation completed successfully; the `Encr` column shows `aes`, the `Hash` column shows `sha`, and the `Auth` column shows `md5`, directly matching the parameters in the correct answer. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this command tests your ability to interpret IKE Phase 1 SA status during VPN troubleshooting, and a common trap is confusing the `Auth` column (which here shows `md5` for authentication) with the `Hash` column—remember that `Hash` refers to the integrity algorithm, not the authentication method. A useful memory tip is “Active AES SHA” to recall that an ACTIVE status with AES encryption and SHA hash means Phase 1 is up and ready for Phase 2.
300-410 Device Access Control Practice Question
This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of device access control. 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 network engineer runs the following command to troubleshoot a Device Access Control issue:
R1# show crypto isakmp sa detail
Codes: C - IKE configuration mode, D - Dead Peer Detection
I - IKE Initiatior, R - IKE Responder
C-id Local Remote I-VRF Status Encr Hash Auth DH Lifetime Cap.
1001 10.1.1.1 10.1.1.2 ACTIVE aes sha md5 2 86400 D
An IKE Phase 1 SA is established with the remote peer using AES encryption and SHA hash.
The SA is ACTIVE with the specified parameters: aes encryption, sha hash, md5 auth, DH group 2.
B
The IKE Phase 1 SA is in a failed state because the authentication method is MD5.
Why wrong: The SA is ACTIVE, not failed; MD5 is a valid authentication method.
C
The IKE Phase 2 SA is established with the remote peer.
Why wrong: This is an IKE Phase 1 SA (isakmp), not Phase 2 (IPsec).
D
The router is the initiator of the IKE Phase 1 SA.
Why wrong: The 'I-VRF' column shows 'I' for initiator, but the output does not specify which side initiated; the 'C-id' column does not indicate initiator/responder.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
An IKE Phase 1 SA is established with the remote peer using AES encryption and SHA hash.
The output from 'show crypto isakmp sa detail' displays an IKE Phase 1 (ISAKMP) security association with status 'ACTIVE', indicating successful Phase 1 negotiation. The 'Encr' column shows 'aes', 'Hash' shows 'sha', and 'Auth' shows 'md5', confirming AES encryption and SHA hash are used. This matches option A, which correctly identifies an established IKE Phase 1 SA with those parameters.
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.
✓
An IKE Phase 1 SA is established with the remote peer using AES encryption and SHA hash.
Why this is correct
The SA is ACTIVE with the specified parameters: aes encryption, sha hash, md5 auth, DH group 2.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The IKE Phase 1 SA is in a failed state because the authentication method is MD5.
Why it's wrong here
The SA is ACTIVE, not failed; MD5 is a valid authentication method.
✗
The IKE Phase 2 SA is established with the remote peer.
Why it's wrong here
This is an IKE Phase 1 SA (isakmp), not Phase 2 (IPsec).
✗
The router is the initiator of the IKE Phase 1 SA.
Why it's wrong here
The 'I-VRF' column shows 'I' for initiator, but the output does not specify which side initiated; the 'C-id' column does not indicate initiator/responder.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between IKE Phase 1 and Phase 2 SAs, and candidates may confuse 'show crypto isakmp sa' (Phase 1) with 'show crypto ipsec sa' (Phase 2), leading them to incorrectly select option C.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The 'I-VRF' column shows 'I' for initiator, but the output does not specify which side initiated; the 'C-id' column does not indicate initiator/responder.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
IKE Phase 1 establishes a secure channel for negotiating IPsec SAs, using Diffie-Hellman (DH) key exchange (DH group 2 in this case) and authenticating peers with pre-shared keys or certificates. The 'Cap.' column showing 'D' indicates Dead Peer Detection is enabled, which is a keepalive mechanism to detect peer failures. In real-world scenarios, an ACTIVE Phase 1 SA is necessary before any IPsec traffic can flow, and misconfigurations in encryption or hash algorithms often cause Phase 1 failures.
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 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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 300-410 question in full detail.
Device Access Control — This question tests Device Access Control — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: An IKE Phase 1 SA is established with the remote peer using AES encryption and SHA hash. — The output from 'show crypto isakmp sa detail' displays an IKE Phase 1 (ISAKMP) security association with status 'ACTIVE', indicating successful Phase 1 negotiation. The 'Encr' column shows 'aes', 'Hash' shows 'sha', and 'Auth' shows 'md5', confirming AES encryption and SHA hash are used. This matches option A, which correctly identifies an established IKE Phase 1 SA with those parameters.
What should I do if I get this 300-410 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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