This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of ipsec site-to-site vpn. 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 configuration changes are required to enable IPsec site-to-site VPN with IKEv2 and pre-shared keys on a Cisco IOS router? (Choose TWO.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Configure an IKEv2 keyring with the pre-shared key and peer IP address.
A is correct because IKEv2 uses a keyring to store pre-shared keys (PSKs) and associate them with specific peer IP addresses, replacing the legacy 'crypto isakmp key' command used in IKEv1. The keyring is then referenced by an IKEv2 profile, which binds the authentication method and other parameters to the VPN session.
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.
✓
Configure an IKEv2 keyring with the pre-shared key and peer IP address.
Why this is correct
Correct. The keyring defines the pre-shared key and associates it with the peer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Apply the 'crypto isakmp key' command globally for the peer.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. 'crypto isakmp key' is used for IKEv1, not IKEv2.
✓
Create an IKEv2 profile that references the keyring.
Why this is correct
Correct. The IKEv2 profile ties the keyring, authentication method, and other parameters together.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Define a transform set under the IKEv2 policy.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Transform sets are used in IPsec crypto maps, not in IKEv2 policies.
✗
Use the 'crypto map' command to reference the IKEv2 profile.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. The crypto map references an IPsec profile, not the IKEv2 profile directly.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between IKEv1 and IKEv2 commands, and the trap here is that candidates familiar with IKEv1 mistakenly select the 'crypto isakmp key' or 'crypto map' options, not realizing IKEv2 requires a keyring and IPsec profile instead.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
IKEv2 simplifies configuration by separating IKE (control plane) and IPsec (data plane) into distinct profiles: an IKEv2 profile handles authentication (via keyring or certificates), while an IPsec profile defines the transform set and references the IKEv2 profile. Under the hood, IKEv2 uses a single exchange (IKE_SA_INIT and IKE_AUTH) to establish both the IKE SA and the IPsec SA, reducing latency compared to IKEv1's two-phase process. In real-world scenarios, using IKEv2 with keyrings improves scalability because you can manage multiple peers in one keyring without global commands.
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.
IPsec Site-to-Site VPN — This question tests IPsec Site-to-Site VPN — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure an IKEv2 keyring with the pre-shared key and peer IP address. — A is correct because IKEv2 uses a keyring to store pre-shared keys (PSKs) and associate them with specific peer IP addresses, replacing the legacy 'crypto isakmp key' command used in IKEv1. The keyring is then referenced by an IKEv2 profile, which binds the authentication method and other parameters to the VPN session.
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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Question Discussion
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