The correct answer is to enable `set auto-discovery-sender` on the spoke’s phase 1 interface. This configuration is essential because it allows the spoke to initiate the shortcut tunnel negotiation by sending ADVPN discovery messages to the hub, which then coordinates a direct spoke-to-spoke tunnel. Without this setting, the spoke remains passive and continues routing traffic through the hub, defeating the purpose of the shortcut. On the Fortinet NSE 7 Advanced Security NSE7 exam, this question tests your understanding of the ADVPN shortcut tunnel spoke configuration auto-discovery-sender requirement, often trapping candidates who mistakenly focus only on the hub’s settings or forget that `set add-route enable` must also be present on the spoke to install the learned route. A common pitfall is assuming the hub alone controls shortcut initiation, but the spoke must explicitly declare itself as a sender. Memory tip: Think “Sender Spoke Sends Shortcut”—the spoke must be the sender to start the direct path.
NSE7 Advanced VPN and Zero Trust Practice Question
This NSE7 practice question tests your understanding of advanced vpn and zero trust. 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.
In a hub-and-spoke ADVPN deployment, the spoke FortiGates are configured with IKEv2 and the hub has ADVPN enabled. After initial setup, spokes communicate through the hub. The administrator wants to enable shortcut tunnels so that spokes can directly communicate. What additional configuration is required on the spokes?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable 'set auto-discovery-sender' on the spoke's phase 1 interface
ADVPN shortcut negotiation requires that the spokes have 'set add-route enable' to install the learned shortcut route, and also the phase 2 configuration should accept shortcut tunnels.
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.
✓
Enable 'set auto-discovery-sender' on the spoke's phase 1 interface
Why this is correct
The spoke must be configured as auto-discovery sender to initiate shortcut tunnels.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Enable 'set add-route' on the hub's phase 1 configuration
Why it's wrong here
The hub adds routes for spoke networks, but shortcut tunneling requires spoke configuration.
✗
Set 'set dpd retrycount' to a higher value on the spoke
Why it's wrong here
DPD retry count affects dead peer detection, not shortcut tunnel establishment.
✗
Configure a static route on the spoke pointing to the hub
Why it's wrong here
Static routes are not directly related to ADVPN shortcut negotiation.
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 NSE7 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 NSE7 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.
Advanced VPN and Zero Trust — This question tests Advanced VPN and Zero Trust — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable 'set auto-discovery-sender' on the spoke's phase 1 interface — ADVPN shortcut negotiation requires that the spokes have 'set add-route enable' to install the learned shortcut route, and also the phase 2 configuration should accept shortcut tunnels.
What should I do if I get this NSE7 question wrong?
Identify which NSE7 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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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. A network engineer is troubleshooting an ADVPN scenario where shortcut tunnels between spokes are not forming. The hub has IKEv2 configured and the spokes are behind NAT. Which THREE conditions must be met for shortcut tunnels to establish?
hard
A.NAT traversal is enabled on all gateways
✓ B.Spokes are configured with 'set auto-discovery' enabled
C.IKEv1 is used for the spoke-to-hub tunnels
✓ D.The hub's phase2 configuration has 'auto-negotiate' enabled
✓ E.The hub's phase2 configuration includes 'add-route'
Why B: ADVPN shortcut tunnels require: IKEv2 (not IKEv1), auto-negotiate enabled on the hub phase2, and the hub's phase2 must have 'add-route' set to enable route injection. NAT traversal is automatically handled by IKEv2.
Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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This NSE7 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 NSE7 exam.
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