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 statement correctly describes the default behavior of Dead Peer Detection (DPD) in Cisco IOS for IPsec site-to-site VPN?
DPD is enabled by default with a 10-second interval
Why wrong: DPD is not enabled by default.
DPD is enabled by default with a 30-second interval
Why wrong: DPD is not enabled by default.
DPD is disabled by default
Cisco IOS requires explicit configuration to enable DPD.
DPD is enabled only for IKEv2 by default
Why wrong: DPD is not enabled by default for either IKEv1 or IKEv2.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
DPD is disabled by default
Dead Peer Detection (DPD) is disabled by default in Cisco IOS for IPsec site-to-site VPNs. This means that without explicit configuration using the 'crypto isakmp keepalive' command, the router will not send DPD messages to verify the liveness of the remote peer. DPD must be manually enabled to detect peer failures and trigger failover or tunnel teardown.
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.
DPD is enabled by default with a 10-second interval
Why it's wrong here
DPD is not enabled by default.
DPD is enabled by default with a 30-second interval
Why it's wrong here
DPD is not enabled by default.
DPD is disabled by default
Why this is correct
Cisco IOS requires explicit configuration to enable DPD.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
DPD is enabled only for IKEv2 by default
Why it's wrong here
DPD is not enabled by default for either IKEv1 or IKEv2.
Common exam traps
Cisco often tests the misconception that DPD is enabled by default or that it has a fixed interval, when in fact it must be manually configured and the default state is disabled.
Detailed technical explanation
DPD operates by sending R-U-THERE messages to the peer and expecting a R-U-THERE-ACK reply; if no reply is received after a configurable number of retries, the peer is declared dead. In Cisco IOS, DPD is configured under the ISAKMP policy using 'crypto isakmp keepalive <seconds> <retries>' or under the IKEv2 profile with 'liveness check'. A common real-world scenario is when a backup link exists: without DPD, a failed primary peer will not be detected, and traffic continues to be sent to the dead tunnel until the IPsec SA times out (typically 3600 seconds), causing prolonged outage.
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: DPD is disabled by default — Dead Peer Detection (DPD) is disabled by default in Cisco IOS for IPsec site-to-site VPNs. This means that without explicit configuration using the 'crypto isakmp keepalive' command, the router will not send DPD messages to verify the liveness of the remote peer. DPD must be manually enabled to detect peer failures and trigger failover or tunnel teardown.
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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