Question 1hardmultiple choice
Full question →hardmultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A network engineer has established an IPsec VPN tunnel between a branch office (10.0.0.0/24) and the main office (192.168.10.0/24). The tunnel shows as up and active, but users at the branch office cannot ping the main office server at 192.168.10.10. The main office can ping the branch office gateway successfully. What is the most likely cause of this issue?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Distractor review
Mismatched encryption algorithms between the two VPN peers
If encryption algorithms were mismatched, the tunnel would not establish. Since the tunnel is up, this is not the issue.
B
Best answer
Incorrect static route on the branch router for the 192.168.10.0/24 network
A route pointing to the tunnel interface or the remote VPN peer is necessary for traffic from the branch to reach the main office LAN.
C
Distractor review
Firewall on the main office server blocking ICMP
While possible, the main office can ping the branch gateway, and if the tunnel is up, firewall rules affecting ICMP are less likely the root cause compared to missing routing.
D
Distractor review
Incorrect IKE authentication settings
IKE authentication issues would prevent the tunnel from being established; since the tunnel is active, this is not the cause.
Common exam trap
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.
Technical deep dive
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.
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More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A network engineer needs to connect two switches located 400 meters apart. The cable run includes high electromagnetic interference from nearby machinery. The engineer decides to use fiber optic cabling. Which transceiver type and fiber combination should be used to ensure the link reaches 400 meters while remaining cost-effective?
Question 2
A network engineer is designing a new switched network and needs to ensure that broadcast traffic from one department does not reach another department's workstations. The engineer plans to use VLANs. Which of the following must be configured on the switches to isolate broadcast domains as intended?
Question 3
A security engineer is configuring a site-to-site VPN between two branch offices. The requirement is to encrypt all traffic between the two networks using IPsec. Which IPsec mode should be used to encrypt the entire IP packet including the original header?
Question 4
A network administrator is connecting two switches to increase bandwidth and provide redundancy. Which technology should be used to combine multiple physical links into a single logical link?
Question 5
A network administrator is experiencing issues where unauthorized devices are offering IP addresses to clients, causing connectivity problems. Which security feature should be enabled on switches to prevent this?
Question 6
A network administrator is troubleshooting a connectivity issue and suspects the problem is related to the physical cabling. At which layer of the OSI model should the administrator begin their investigation?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this N10-009 question test?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Incorrect static route on the branch router for the 192.168.10.0/24 network — The VPN tunnel is established, indicating that IPsec parameters are correct. The issue is typically that the branch office router lacks a route to the main office LAN via the VPN tunnel. Without such a route, traffic destined for 192.168.10.0/24 is sent out the default WAN interface instead of through the tunnel.
What should I do if I get this N10-009 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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