easyMultiple Choice
300-410 Practice Question: Runs the following command to troubleshoot IPsec…
A network engineer runs the following command to troubleshoot IPsec with route-maps:
R1# show crypto ipsec transform-set
Transform set combined: { esp-aes 256 esp-sha-hmac } will negotiate = { Transport, }
Transform set ESP-AES: { esp-aes 256 esp-sha-hmac } will negotiate = { Tunnel, }
What does this output indicate?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
There are two transform sets configured, one using transport mode and one using tunnel mode.
The output shows two IPsec transform sets: 'combined' and 'ESP-AES'. The 'combined' set uses transport mode, while 'ESP-AES' uses tunnel mode. This indicates that different transform sets are configured for different purposes.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
There are two transform sets configured, one using transport mode and one using tunnel mode.
Why this is correct
Two transform sets exist: "combined" negotiates transport mode, while "ESP-AES" negotiates tunnel mode. The output lists each set's name, encryption and hash algorithms (esp-aes 256, esp-sha-hmac), and its permitted mode, confirming both transport and tunnel configurations are present simultaneously.
- ✗
The transform set 'combined' is not valid.
Why it's wrong here
The output shows 'combined' negotiating in transport mode, which is a valid configuration, not an error. Transform sets are declared valid once their encryption and hash algorithms are accepted. The option tempts because seeing only Transport mode may suggest misconfiguration, but validity depends on algorithm support, not mode selection.
- ✗
IPsec is not configured because no transform set is active.
Why it's wrong here
Two transform sets are listed with negotiated modes, confirming IPsec configuration exists and is active. The absence of an 'active' label does not mean none is configured. The option tempts because the output lacks an explicit status column, but the displayed transform sets themselves evidence configuration.
- ✗
The transform set 'ESP-AES' is used for route-map filtering.
Why it's wrong here
Transform sets define encryption and hash algorithms plus encapsulation mode; route-map filtering selects which traffic enters the IPsec tunnel. ESP-AES negotiates Tunnel mode, unrelated to route-map matching. The option tempts because both appear in IPsec configuration, but route maps reference access lists, not transform sets.
Quick reference
VPN Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Port | Encryption | Authentication | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IKEv2 / IPsec | UDP 500 / 4500 | AES-256 | Certificates / PSK | Site-to-site & remote access |
| SSL / TLS VPN | TCP 443 | TLS 1.3 | Certificates / MFA | Clientless remote access |
| L2TP / IPsec | UDP 1701 | AES (IPsec) | PSK / Certificates | Legacy remote access |
| WireGuard | UDP 51820 | ChaCha20 | Public keys | Modern high-performance VPN |
| PPTP | TCP 1723 | MPPE (weak) | MS-CHAPv2 | Legacy — avoid in production |
PPTP is considered insecure. IKEv2/IPsec and SSL VPN are the current recommended options.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.