The answer is Dynamic Multipoint VPN (DMVPN). This is the correct choice because DMVPN is specifically engineered to handle sites with dynamic public IP addresses, such as a branch office where the ISP assigns a changing IP. It accomplishes this through multipoint Generic Routing Encapsulation (mGRE) and the Next Hop Resolution Protocol (NHRP), which allow spoke routers to dynamically discover and establish tunnels to a hub without requiring static IP configurations on each spoke. On the CompTIA Network+ N10-009 exam, this question tests your understanding of VPN types in real-world WAN connectivity scenarios, often appearing alongside site-to-site IPsec or client VPN as distractors. A common trap is choosing standard IPsec, which typically requires static IPs on both ends, or GRE tunnels, which lack dynamic discovery. To remember: think of DMVPN as the “dynamic” solution for “dynamic” IPs—if the branch’s public IP changes, DMVPN adapts automatically.
N10-009 Network Implementation Practice Question
This N10-009 practice question tests your understanding of network implementation. 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 company is setting up a new branch office and needs to connect it to the main office over the internet using a secure VPN. The branch office has a dynamic public IP address. Which type of VPN should be configured?
Why wrong: This requires static public IP addresses on both ends; dynamic IPs would break the tunnel configuration unless using additional technologies like dynamic DNS.
B
Remote access VPN using SSL
Why wrong: This is typically used for individual client devices connecting to a corporate network, not for connecting entire networks (site-to-site).
C
Dynamic Multipoint VPN (DMVPN)
Correct. DMVPN is designed for hub-and-spoke topologies and can accommodate branch sites with dynamic IP addresses by using mGRE and NHRP.
D
Policy-based VPN
Why wrong: Policy-based VPNs often rely on static IPs and specific traffic selectors; they do not inherently handle dynamic IPs.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Dynamic Multipoint VPN (DMVPN)
C is correct because Dynamic Multipoint VPN (DMVPN) is designed to handle sites with dynamic public IP addresses, such as a branch office with a dynamically assigned IP. DMVPN uses mGRE (multipoint Generic Routing Encapsulation) and NHRP (Next Hop Resolution Protocol) to dynamically establish tunnels between spoke routers without requiring static IP configurations on each spoke, making it ideal for this scenario.
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.
✗
Site-to-site IPsec VPN with static IPs
Why it's wrong here
This requires static public IP addresses on both ends; dynamic IPs would break the tunnel configuration unless using additional technologies like dynamic DNS.
✗
Remote access VPN using SSL
Why it's wrong here
This is typically used for individual client devices connecting to a corporate network, not for connecting entire networks (site-to-site).
✓
Dynamic Multipoint VPN (DMVPN)
Why this is correct
Correct. DMVPN is designed for hub-and-spoke topologies and can accommodate branch sites with dynamic IP addresses by using mGRE and NHRP.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Policy-based VPN
Why it's wrong here
Policy-based VPNs often rely on static IPs and specific traffic selectors; they do not inherently handle dynamic IPs.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often choose site-to-site IPsecVPN (Option A) because it is the most familiar VPN type, failing to recognize that dynamic IPs at the branch require a technology like DMVPN that can handle address changes without manual reconfiguration.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
DMVPN leverages NHRP to allow spoke routers to register their current public IP address with a hub router, which then maintains a mapping database. When a spoke needs to send traffic to another spoke, it queries the hub via NHRP to obtain the destination spoke's current IP, enabling direct spoke-to-spoke tunnels (phase 2/3). This eliminates the need for static IPs and reduces hub load, making DMVPN scalable for hundreds of branch offices with dynamic IPs.
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 N10-009 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 N10-009 question in full detail.
Network Implementation — This question tests Network Implementation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Dynamic Multipoint VPN (DMVPN) — C is correct because Dynamic Multipoint VPN (DMVPN) is designed to handle sites with dynamic public IP addresses, such as a branch office with a dynamically assigned IP. DMVPN uses mGRE (multipoint Generic Routing Encapsulation) and NHRP (Next Hop Resolution Protocol) to dynamically establish tunnels between spoke routers without requiring static IP configurations on each spoke, making it ideal for this scenario.
What should I do if I get this N10-009 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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Question Discussion
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