This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of ipsec site-to-site vpn. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 default IPsec transform set is automatically created in Cisco IOS when configuring a site-to-site VPN?
esp-aes 256 esp-sha-hmac
Why wrong: No such default exists; all transform sets must be explicitly defined.
esp-3des esp-sha-hmac
Why wrong: This is a common transform set but not automatically created.
No default transform set is created
Cisco IOS requires manual configuration of at least one transform set.
esp-aes 128 esp-md5-hmac
Why wrong: This is not a default; administrators must define it.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
No default transform set is created
Cisco IOS does not automatically create any default IPsec transform set when configuring a site-to-site VPN. Transform sets must be explicitly defined using the `crypto ipsec transform-set` command, which specifies the encryption and authentication algorithms. The absence of a default ensures that administrators intentionally select the appropriate security parameters for their environment.
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.
esp-aes 256 esp-sha-hmac
Why it's wrong here
No such default exists; all transform sets must be explicitly defined.
esp-3des esp-sha-hmac
Why it's wrong here
This is a common transform set but not automatically created.
No default transform set is created
Why this is correct
Cisco IOS requires manual configuration of at least one transform set.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
esp-aes 128 esp-md5-hmac
Why it's wrong here
This is not a default; administrators must define it.
Common exam traps
Cisco often tests the misconception that a default transform set exists, tempting candidates to select a common algorithm combination like `esp-aes 256 esp-sha-hmac` or `esp-3des esp-sha-hmac` as the default, when in fact no such default is automatically created.
Detailed technical explanation
In Cisco IOS, transform sets are part of the IPsec security association (SA) proposal and are negotiated during IKE phase 2. The `show crypto ipsec transform-set` command reveals only those transform sets that have been manually created; no built-in defaults exist. This design forces administrators to consider the cryptographic strength and compatibility of their VPN peers, avoiding insecure or unintended algorithm combinations.
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: No default transform set is created — Cisco IOS does not automatically create any default IPsec transform set when configuring a site-to-site VPN. Transform sets must be explicitly defined using the `crypto ipsec transform-set` command, which specifies the encryption and authentication algorithms. The absence of a default ensures that administrators intentionally select the appropriate security parameters for their environment.
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
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.
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