- A
DHCP
Why wrong: DHCP assigns IPs locally but doesn't create secure tunnels.
- B
DNS
Why wrong: DNS resolves names but doesn't provide encryption or tunneling.
- C
VPN
VPN creates an encrypted tunnel over the internet for secure communication between sites.
- D
NAT
Why wrong: NAT translates IPs but doesn't provide secure connectivity across the internet.
Question 776 of 1,020
VPN Site-to-Site Secure Tunnel for Branch Office
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of network services. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 network for a new branch office. The branch has 50 users and needs to access resources at the main office via a secure tunnel over the internet. Which service is required to establish this connection?
Quick Answer
The answer is a VPN, or Virtual Private Network. A VPN creates an encrypted site-to-site secure tunnel over the internet, allowing the branch office to communicate with the main office as if they were on the same local network, which is exactly what is needed for securely accessing shared resources. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this question tests your understanding of how different network services apply to real-world scenarios; a common trap is confusing VPN with DHCP (which assigns IP addresses) or NAT (which translates addresses but does not encrypt traffic). Remember that only a VPN provides the encryption and tunneling required for a secure branch office connection. A helpful memory tip is to think of the “V” in VPN as standing for “Vault”—it creates a secure, encrypted vault through the public internet.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
VPN
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is required to create a secure, encrypted tunnel over the internet between the branch office and the main office. This allows the 50 users to access internal resources at the main office as if they were on the same local network, using protocols such as IPsec or SSL/TLS to ensure confidentiality and integrity of data in transit.
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.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common misconception is that NAT alone can provide security or remote access, but NAT only modifies address headers and does not encrypt traffic or authenticate users, making VPN the correct choice for secure tunneling.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
VPNs typically use tunneling protocols like IPsec (IKEv2, ESP/AH) or SSL/TLS (OpenVPN, WireGuard) to encapsulate and encrypt packets. In a site-to-site VPN scenario, the branch office router or firewall establishes an encrypted tunnel to the main office gateway, often using pre-shared keys or digital certificates for authentication, and can route traffic over the internet without exposing data to eavesdropping.
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.
Quick reference
VPN Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Port | Encryption | Authentication | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IKEv2 / IPsec | UDP 500 / 4500 | AES-256 | Certificates / PSK | Site-to-site & remote access |
| SSL / TLS VPN | TCP 443 | TLS 1.3 | Certificates / MFA | Clientless remote access |
| L2TP / IPsec | UDP 1701 | AES (IPsec) | PSK / Certificates | Legacy remote access |
| WireGuard | UDP 51820 | ChaCha20 | Public keys | Modern high-performance VPN |
| PPTP | TCP 1723 | MPPE (weak) | MS-CHAPv2 | Legacy — avoid in production |
PPTP is considered insecure. IKEv2/IPsec and SSL VPN are the current recommended options.
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Network Services — This question tests Network Services — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: VPN — A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is required to create a secure, encrypted tunnel over the internet between the branch office and the main office. This allows the 50 users to access internal resources at the main office as if they were on the same local network, using protocols such as IPsec or SSL/TLS to ensure confidentiality and integrity of data in transit.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 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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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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