The answer is `show crypto ipsec sa` and `show crypto isakmp sa`. These two commands are the essential tools to verify IPsec security associations because they cover both phases of the VPN tunnel lifecycle: the first command displays the actual IPsec SAs that encrypt and decrypt user traffic, including SPI numbers and packet counters, while the second shows the IKE phase 1 SAs that establish the secure management channel required to negotiate those IPsec SAs. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this question tests your ability to differentiate between IKE and IPsec verification—a common trap is choosing only `show crypto ipsec sa` and forgetting that the ISAKMP SA must also be active for the tunnel to function. Remember the memory tip: "ISAKMP for the key exchange, IPsec for the data exchange"—if you see "SA" in the command, you are verifying the security association itself, not just the policy or transform set.
300-410 IPsec Site-to-Site VPN Practice Question
This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of ipsec site-to-site vpn. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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 TWO commands would a network engineer use to verify the status of IPsec security associations on a Cisco IOS router? (Choose TWO.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
show crypto ipsec sa
The 'show crypto ipsec sa' command displays the IPsec security associations (SAs) that have been negotiated, including their SPI numbers, encryption and authentication algorithms, and packet counters. This is the primary command to verify that IPsec SAs are active and that traffic is being encrypted and decrypted correctly. The 'show crypto isakmp sa' command shows the IKE (ISAKMP) phase 1 SAs, which are necessary for establishing the IPsec SAs, making it a complementary verification step.
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.
✓
show crypto ipsec sa
Why this is correct
This command shows IPsec security associations, including SPI, encapsulation mode, and packet statistics.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
show crypto isakmp sa
Why this is correct
This command shows IKE phase 1 security associations, indicating whether the tunnel is established.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
show crypto map
Why it's wrong here
This command displays crypto map configuration, not the current SA status.
✗
show ip route
Why it's wrong here
This command shows the routing table, not IPsec SA details.
✗
show crypto engine connections active
Why it's wrong here
This command shows crypto engine processing, not SA status.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between IKE phase 1 (ISAKMP) and IPsec phase 2 (IPsec) SAs, and candidates may incorrectly think 'show crypto isakmp sa' alone is sufficient to verify IPsec SAs, or they may confuse 'show crypto engine connections active' with IPsec SA status.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
This command displays crypto map configuration, not the current SA status.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
IPsec SAs are unidirectional and are identified by a triple of (SPI, destination IP, security protocol (AH or ESP)). The 'show crypto ipsec sa' command reveals the inbound and outbound SPIs, the number of packets that have been encrypted/decrypted, and any errors such as replay failures. In a real-world scenario, if the packet counters are not incrementing, it indicates that traffic is not matching the crypto map access list, or the SAs have expired and need renegotiation via IKE phase 2.
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 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.
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: show crypto ipsec sa — The 'show crypto ipsec sa' command displays the IPsec security associations (SAs) that have been negotiated, including their SPI numbers, encryption and authentication algorithms, and packet counters. This is the primary command to verify that IPsec SAs are active and that traffic is being encrypted and decrypted correctly. The 'show crypto isakmp sa' command shows the IKE (ISAKMP) phase 1 SAs, which are necessary for establishing the IPsec SAs, making it a complementary verification step.
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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