OpenVPN is the correct choice because it offers the best balance of security and compatibility for remote users behind NAT. It encapsulates traffic using SSL/TLS encryption and operates over a single UDP or TCP port (typically 1194), which reliably traverses NAT without relying on IPsec’s NAT-sensitive protocols like ESP. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your understanding of how different VPN protocols handle network address translation—a common scenario when configuring remote access for home users. The trap is choosing L2TP/IPsec, which often fails across NAT unless additional protocols like NAT-T are enabled, while OpenVPN works out of the box. Remember: OpenVPN is the “open door” for NAT—single port, strong encryption, no extra fuss.
220-1102 Remote Access Technologies Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of remote access technologies. 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.
A technician is configuring a VPN for a remote user. The user's home router uses NAT, and the technician wants to ensure the VPN traffic is encapsulated and encrypted. Which VPN protocol should the technician choose for the best balance of security and compatibility?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
OpenVPN
OpenVPN is the correct choice because it provides a robust balance of security and compatibility, especially for remote users behind NAT. It uses SSL/TLS for encryption and can operate over a single UDP or TCP port (typically 1194), which easily traverses NAT without requiring additional configuration. Unlike L2TP/IPsec, OpenVPN does not rely on IPsec's NAT-sensitive protocols like ESP, making it more reliable across home routers.
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.
✗
PPTP
Why it's wrong here
PPTP is outdated and has known security vulnerabilities; it is not recommended for secure connections.
✗
L2TP/IPsec
Why it's wrong here
L2TP/IPsec is secure but can have issues with NAT traversal and may require additional configuration.
✓
OpenVPN
Why this is correct
OpenVPN is highly configurable, works through NAT, and offers strong encryption, making it a reliable choice.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
SSTP
Why it's wrong here
SSTP is Windows-centric and may not be compatible with all devices or networks.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the misconception that L2TP/IPsec is always the best for security and compatibility, but the trap here is that IPsec's ESP protocol can fail with NAT unless NAT-T is enabled, making OpenVPN a more practical choice for remote users behind home routers.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
OpenVPN uses the OpenSSL library to implement TLS for key exchange and can be configured with various ciphers (e.g., AES-256-GCM). Its ability to run over UDP with a keepalive mechanism makes it resilient to NAT timeouts, a common issue with L2TP/IPsec. In real-world scenarios, a user behind a strict NAT or carrier-grade NAT may find OpenVPN's single-port operation more reliable than IPsec's multi-protocol requirements.
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 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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1202 question in full detail.
Remote Access Technologies — This question tests Remote Access Technologies — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: OpenVPN — OpenVPN is the correct choice because it provides a robust balance of security and compatibility, especially for remote users behind NAT. It uses SSL/TLS for encryption and can operate over a single UDP or TCP port (typically 1194), which easily traverses NAT without requiring additional configuration. Unlike L2TP/IPsec, OpenVPN does not rely on IPsec's NAT-sensitive protocols like ESP, making it more reliable across home routers.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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