- A
In DMVPN phase 2, spoke routers can establish direct tunnels to each other without traffic passing through the hub.
Correct because phase 2 enables spoke-to-spoke dynamic tunnels after the hub provides the peer's NBMA address via NHRP.
- B
DMVPN phase 2 requires mGRE on the hub only; spokes use point-to-point GRE tunnels.
Why wrong: Incorrect because both hub and spokes must use mGRE to support multiple tunnel endpoints; point-to-point GRE would limit connectivity.
- C
NHRP redirect messages are used in phase 2 to inform spokes of better paths to remote destinations.
Correct because the hub sends NHRP redirects to trigger spokes to initiate direct NHRP resolution and establish spoke-to-spoke tunnels.
- D
DMVPN phase 2 supports only IPsec protection and cannot operate without encryption.
Why wrong: Incorrect because DMVPN can operate without IPsec, though encryption is recommended for security; it is not mandatory.
- E
In DMVPN phase 2, spoke routers must be configured with static crypto maps for IPsec.
Why wrong: Incorrect because DMVPN uses IPsec profiles and dynamic crypto maps, not static crypto maps, to allow dynamic peer negotiation.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is that NHRP redirect messages are used in DMVPN Phase 2 to inform spokes of better paths to remote destinations. This is true because Phase 2 introduces spoke-to-spoke direct tunnels after initial hub registration, where the hub uses NHRP redirects to tell a spoke that a more efficient path exists to another spoke, rather than forcing all traffic through the hub. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this concept tests your understanding of how DMVPN evolves from a hub-and-spoke topology to a dynamic full-mesh network, often appearing in questions that contrast Phase 2 with Phase 1 or Phase 3. A common trap is confusing NHRP redirects (Phase 2) with NHRP shortcuts (Phase 3)—remember that redirects tell the spoke where to go, while shortcuts create the tunnel automatically. Memory tip: “Redirect tells, shortcut builds.”
350-401 VPN Technologies Practice Question
This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of vpn technologies. 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 two statements about DMVPN phase 2 are true? (Choose two.)
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
In DMVPN phase 2, spoke routers can establish direct tunnels to each other without traffic passing through the hub.
DMVPN phase 2 allows spoke-to-spoke tunnels after initial hub registration, using NHRP to resolve destination addresses and enabling direct traffic flows.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
In DMVPN phase 2, spoke routers can establish direct tunnels to each other without traffic passing through the hub.
Why this is correct
Correct because phase 2 enables spoke-to-spoke dynamic tunnels after the hub provides the peer's NBMA address via NHRP.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- ✗
DMVPN phase 2 requires mGRE on the hub only; spokes use point-to-point GRE tunnels.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because both hub and spokes must use mGRE to support multiple tunnel endpoints; point-to-point GRE would limit connectivity.
- ✓
NHRP redirect messages are used in phase 2 to inform spokes of better paths to remote destinations.
Why this is correct
Correct because the hub sends NHRP redirects to trigger spokes to initiate direct NHRP resolution and establish spoke-to-spoke tunnels.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- ✗
DMVPN phase 2 supports only IPsec protection and cannot operate without encryption.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because DMVPN can operate without IPsec, though encryption is recommended for security; it is not mandatory.
- ✗
In DMVPN phase 2, spoke routers must be configured with static crypto maps for IPsec.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because DMVPN uses IPsec profiles and dynamic crypto maps, not static crypto maps, to allow dynamic peer negotiation.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
- Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
- NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
- Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
- Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
- Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 350-401 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 350-401 question test?
VPN Technologies — This question tests VPN Technologies — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: In DMVPN phase 2, spoke routers can establish direct tunnels to each other without traffic passing through the hub. — DMVPN phase 2 allows spoke-to-spoke tunnels after initial hub registration, using NHRP to resolve destination addresses and enabling direct traffic flows.
What should I do if I get this 350-401 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 350-401 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on 350-401
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Which two statements about DMVPN Phase 2 are true? (Choose two.)
medium- ✓ A.Spokes can establish direct tunnels to each other without traversing the hub.
- B.All traffic must pass through the hub router at all times.
- ✓ C.NHRP is used to resolve the public IP addresses of spokes.
- D.Phase 2 uses only point-to-point GRE tunnels on the hub.
- E.Phase 2 does not support dynamic routing protocols between spokes.
Why A: DMVPN Phase 2 allows spoke-to-spoke tunnels after initial hub registration, uses mGRE on spokes, and supports dynamic routing between spokes. NHRP is used for resolution.
Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026
This 350-401 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 350-401 exam.
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