Quick Answer
The answer is that the 'P2 proposals' line indicates the Phase 2 encryption and authentication algorithms configured for the VPN tunnel. This output from the diagnose vpn ike config command directly lists the security proposals your FortiGate will offer to the remote peer during IKE Phase 2 negotiation, specifically the cipher and hash combinations—in this case, AES128 with SHA256 and AES256 with SHA1. On the Fortinet NSE 4 Network Security Professional exam, this tests your ability to interpret real-time IKE diagnostics, a common skill for troubleshooting VPN misconfigurations where proposal mismatches cause tunnel failures. A frequent trap is confusing Phase 1 (which uses DH groups and lifetimes) with Phase 2 proposals; remember that Phase 2 focuses solely on the data-plane encryption and authentication algorithms for the actual traffic. Memory tip: think "P2 = payload protection" to recall that these are the algorithms securing the user data, not the key exchange itself.
This NSE4 practice question tests your understanding of authentication and vpn. 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.
An administrator runs 'diagnose vpn ike config' and sees the output includes 'P2 proposals: aes128-sha256, aes256-sha1'. What does this indicate?
The Diffie-Hellman groups for Phase 2
Why wrong: DH groups are not shown in this output.
The Phase 1 encryption settings
Why wrong: Phase 1 proposals are shown elsewhere.
The Phase 2 encryption and authentication algorithms
It shows the Phase 2 proposals.
The lifetime settings for the VPN tunnel
Why wrong: Lifetime is separate.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
The Phase 2 encryption and authentication algorithms
This output shows the Phase 2 proposals configured on the VPN tunnel. It lists the encryption and authentication algorithms that will be offered to the peer.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
The Diffie-Hellman groups for Phase 2
Why it's wrong here
DH groups are not shown in this output.
The Phase 1 encryption settings
Why it's wrong here
Phase 1 proposals are shown elsewhere.
The Phase 2 encryption and authentication algorithms
Why this is correct
It shows the Phase 2 proposals.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
The lifetime settings for the VPN tunnel
Why it's wrong here
Lifetime is separate.
Common exam traps
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.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
DH groups are not shown in this output.
Detailed technical explanation
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the NSE4 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
Identify which NSE4 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.
Authentication and VPN — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Authentication and VPN — This question tests Authentication and VPN — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: The Phase 2 encryption and authentication algorithms — This output shows the Phase 2 proposals configured on the VPN tunnel. It lists the encryption and authentication algorithms that will be offered to the peer.
Identify which NSE4 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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
This NSE4 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Fortinet 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 NSE4 exam.
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