The answer is that traffic will be forwarded normally without encryption. This occurs because the crypto map is not applied to any interface, meaning the router has no IPsec policy to enforce on the outbound GigabitEthernet0/1. Even though the crypto map, transform set, and access-list are all correctly configured, the missing `crypto map CMAP` command under the interface means the router simply treats the matching traffic as standard IP packets and forwards them in clear text. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that IPsec configuration is incomplete until the crypto map is explicitly attached to the interface; a common trap is assuming that a fully defined crypto map alone triggers encryption. Remember the memory tip: "No map on the interface means no encryption in the service."
300-410 IPsec Site-to-Site VPN Practice Question
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.
Given this configuration on router R1:
crypto isakmp policy 10
encryption aes 256
authentication pre-share
group 14
lifetime 86400
!
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The traffic will be forwarded normally without encryption.
Option B is correct because the crypto map is not applied to any interface. Without the `crypto map CMAP` command under GigabitEthernet0/1, the router has no IPsec policy to enforce on that interface. Traffic matching access-list 101 will simply be forwarded normally as clear-text IP packets, since no encryption is triggered.
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.
✗
The traffic will be dropped because the ACL denies it.
Why it's wrong here
The ACL permits the traffic, but without the crypto map, it is not used for IPsec.
✓
The traffic will be forwarded normally without encryption.
Why this is correct
Since the crypto map is not applied, the router treats the traffic as normal and forwards it based on routing.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The router will attempt to establish an IPsec tunnel but fail because the crypto map is missing.
Why it's wrong here
The crypto map must be applied to an interface for IPsec to be triggered.
✗
The router will create a dynamic crypto map entry automatically.
Why it's wrong here
Dynamic crypto maps are configured manually; no automatic creation occurs.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume a crypto map is automatically applied to the interface it references (e.g., via the peer IP), but Cisco explicitly tests that the `crypto map` command under the interface is required for IPsec to function.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In Cisco IOS, a crypto map defines the IPsec policy but only takes effect when applied to an interface via the `crypto map` interface command. Without this application, the router ignores the crypto map entirely, and traffic matching the ACL is forwarded without IPsec processing. This is a common misconfiguration where candidates assume defining the crypto map is sufficient, but the interface-level binding is mandatory for IPsec to engage.
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 security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.
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: The traffic will be forwarded normally without encryption. — Option B is correct because the crypto map is not applied to any interface. Without the `crypto map CMAP` command under GigabitEthernet0/1, the router has no IPsec policy to enforce on that interface. Traffic matching access-list 101 will simply be forwarded normally as clear-text IP packets, since no encryption is triggered.
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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