This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of ipsec site-to-site vpn. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.
What is the default IKE (ISAKMP) lifetime value in Cisco IOS for IPsec Site-to-Site VPN?
3600 seconds (1 hour)
Why wrong: This is the default IPsec security association lifetime, not IKE.
86400 seconds (24 hours)
Cisco IOS defaults IKE lifetime to 86400 seconds.
28800 seconds (8 hours)
Why wrong: This value is not a default for IKE; it may appear in some vendor implementations.
180 seconds (3 minutes)
Why wrong: This is too short and not a Cisco default for IKE lifetime.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
86400 seconds (24 hours)
The default IKE (ISAKMP) lifetime in Cisco IOS for IPsec Site-to-Site VPN is 86400 seconds (24 hours). This value is defined in the ISAKMP policy and controls how long the IKE Phase 1 security association (SA) remains active before requiring re-authentication. A longer lifetime reduces the overhead of re-establishing the Phase 1 tunnel, balancing security with performance.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
3600 seconds (1 hour)
Why it's wrong here
This is the default IPsec security association lifetime, not IKE.
86400 seconds (24 hours)
Why this is correct
Cisco IOS defaults IKE lifetime to 86400 seconds.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
28800 seconds (8 hours)
Why it's wrong here
This value is not a default for IKE; it may appear in some vendor implementations.
180 seconds (3 minutes)
Why it's wrong here
This is too short and not a Cisco default for IKE lifetime.
Common exam traps
Cisco often tests the distinction between IKE Phase 1 and IPsec Phase 2 default lifetimes, and the trap here is that candidates confuse the 3600-second default of IPsec SA (Phase 2) with the 86400-second default of IKE SA (Phase 1).
Detailed technical explanation
The IKE Phase 1 SA is used to protect IKE Phase 2 negotiations, and its default lifetime of 86400 seconds is defined in RFC 2409 (IKEv1) and implemented in Cisco IOS via the `crypto isakmp policy` command. After the lifetime expires, the Phase 1 SA must be re-established, which involves Diffie-Hellman key exchange and authentication, consuming CPU resources. In real-world deployments, adjusting this value can help manage rekeying storms in large-scale VPNs or meet organizational security policies.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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FAQ
IPsec Site-to-Site VPN — This question tests IPsec Site-to-Site VPN — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: 86400 seconds (24 hours) — The default IKE (ISAKMP) lifetime in Cisco IOS for IPsec Site-to-Site VPN is 86400 seconds (24 hours). This value is defined in the ISAKMP policy and controls how long the IKE Phase 1 security association (SA) remains active before requiring re-authentication. A longer lifetime reduces the overhead of re-establishing the Phase 1 tunnel, balancing security with performance.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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