Question 1,827 of 2,015

VPN Technologies →mediumMatchingObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The answer is that IKEv2 rekey maps to Phase 5, which is the dedicated exchange for refreshing keys. This is correct because IKEv2 structures its key management into distinct phases: IKE_SA_INIT (Phase 1) establishes the initial security association, IKE_AUTH (Phase 2) authenticates peers and creates the first child SA, CREATE_CHILD_SA (Phase 3) generates additional or updated SAs, INFORMATIONAL (Phase 4) handles management and error messages, and the rekey exchange (Phase 5) specifically refreshes existing keys without re-authenticating. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this drag-and-drop task tests your ability to differentiate these phases, with a common trap being to confuse CREATE_CHILD_SA with rekey—remember that rekey is a separate, fifth exchange for key refresh only, not for creating new SAs. A helpful memory tip is to think of the phases as a numbered sequence: Init (1), Auth (2), Child (3), Info (4), and Rekey (5), where the last one is all about refreshing what’s already there.

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.

Drag and drop each IKEv2 exchange on the left to its matching phase on the right.

Question 1mediummatching

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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

✓

IKE_SA_INIT: Phase 1 - establish IKE SA

IKE_SA_INIT is phase 1; IKE_AUTH is phase 2; CREATE_CHILD_SA is phase 3; INFORMATIONAL is for management; IKEv2 also uses a separate exchange for rekey.

Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.

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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.

TExam Day Tips

Underline the problem statement mentally.
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 350-401 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

Got this wrong? Here's your next step.

Identify which 350-401 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this 350-401 question test?

VPN Technologies — This question tests VPN Technologies — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: IKE_SA_INIT: Phase 1 - establish IKE SA — IKE_SA_INIT is phase 1; IKE_AUTH is phase 2; CREATE_CHILD_SA is phase 3; INFORMATIONAL is for management; IKEv2 also uses a separate exchange for rekey.

What should I do if I get this 350-401 question wrong?

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

About these practice questions

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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. Drag and drop each IKEv2 exchange on the left to its matching phase on the right.

medium

✓ P1.IKE_SA_INIT: Phase 1 key agreement
✓ P2.IKE_AUTH: Phase 2 authentication and policy
✓ P3.CREATE_CHILD_SA: Rekey or additional SA
✓ P4.INFORMATIONAL: Error and status exchange
✓ P5.IKE_SA_INIT response: Phase 1 response with DH public value

Why P1: IKE_SA_INIT is phase 1 for key agreement; IKE_AUTH is phase 2 for authentication and policy; CREATE_CHILD_SA is used for rekeying or additional SAs.

Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026

Question Discussion

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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.