- A
The printer is not responding to ARP requests.
Why wrong: ARP works at layer 2; if pings work, ARP is functioning correctly.
- B
The IPsec security association (SA) is not being established due to IKE failure.
IKE negotiates SAs; failure here prevents IPsec from securing traffic, causing print jobs to fail.
- C
The printer's TCP/IP stack is misconfigured.
Why wrong: If TCP/IP were misconfigured, pings would likely fail; since they work, this is not the issue.
- D
The print server is using the wrong port number.
Why wrong: Wrong port numbers would cause connection failures even without IPsec, but pings work, so port numbers are likely correct.
Question 921 of 1,020
IPsec IKE Negotiation Failure: Printer Not Receiving Print Jobs
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of network protocols. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 printer for secure printing using IPsec. After enabling IPsec on the printer and the print server, print jobs fail to reach the printer. The technician can ping the printer from the server. Which protocol negotiation step is most likely failing?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Quick Answer
The answer is a failed Internet Key Exchange (IKE) negotiation, which prevents the IPsec security association (SA) from being established. When IPsec is enabled on both the printer and the print server, they must first agree on encryption algorithms, authentication methods, and keys through IKE; if these parameters don’t match, the SA is never built, and all IPsec-protected traffic—including print jobs—is silently dropped. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that a successful ping does not mean IPsec is working, because ICMP often bypasses IPsec policies, while actual data traffic requires a valid SA. A common trap is assuming connectivity equals security; remember that IPsec is a separate layer that demands explicit agreement. Memory tip: “IKE before you strike”—if IKE fails, no SA, no secure print.
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
✓
The IPsec security association (SA) is not being established due to IKE failure.
IPsec requires the Internet Key Exchange (IKE) protocol to negotiate and establish a security association (SA) between the printer and the print server. Since the technician can ping the printer, basic network connectivity (including ARP and IP routing) is working, but the print jobs fail because the IPsec SA is not established. An IKE failure—often due to mismatched pre-shared keys, authentication methods, or IKE phase parameters—prevents the encrypted tunnel from forming, causing all IPsec-protected traffic to be dropped.
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.
- ✗
The printer is not responding to ARP requests.
Why it's wrong here
ARP works at layer 2; if pings work, ARP is functioning correctly.
- ✓
The IPsec security association (SA) is not being established due to IKE failure.
Why this is correct
IKE negotiates SAs; failure here prevents IPsec from securing traffic, causing print jobs to fail.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The printer's TCP/IP stack is misconfigured.
Why it's wrong here
If TCP/IP were misconfigured, pings would likely fail; since they work, this is not the issue.
- ✗
The print server is using the wrong port number.
Why it's wrong here
Wrong port numbers would cause connection failures even without IPsec, but pings work, so port numbers are likely correct.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA A+ exams often test the distinction between basic connectivity (ping working) and protocol-specific negotiation (IKE for IPsec), trapping candidates who assume ping success guarantees all higher-layer services will work.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
IPsec can operate in transport or tunnel mode, and IKE (RFC 7296) uses UDP ports 500 and 4500 for negotiation. A common subtle failure is when one side uses IKEv1 and the other uses IKEv2, or when NAT traversal settings are mismatched, causing the IKE packets to be dropped or ignored. In real-world scenarios, firewall rules blocking UDP 500/4500 between the printer and server can also prevent SA establishment, even though ICMP (ping) passes through.
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 220-1201 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.
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Network Protocols — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Network Protocols practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All 220-1201 questions
1,020 questions across all exam domains
- →
CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
220-1201 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related 220-1201 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Mobile Device Hardware Servicing practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Hardware Servicing.
Mobile Device Connection Methods practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Connection Methods.
Mobile Device Accessories practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Accessories.
Mobile Device Network Connectivity practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Network Connectivity.
Mobile Device Application Support practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Application Support.
Network Protocols practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Network Protocols.
TCP & UDP Ports practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to TCP & UDP Ports.
Wireless Networking Technologies practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Wireless Networking Technologies.
Network Services practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Network Services.
Network Configuration Concepts practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Network Configuration Concepts.
Common Networking Hardware practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Common Networking Hardware.
IP Addressing practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to IP Addressing.
Practice this exam
Start a free 220-1201 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Network Protocols — This question tests Network Protocols — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The IPsec security association (SA) is not being established due to IKE failure. — IPsec requires the Internet Key Exchange (IKE) protocol to negotiate and establish a security association (SA) between the printer and the print server. Since the technician can ping the printer, basic network connectivity (including ARP and IP routing) is working, but the print jobs fail because the IPsec SA is not established. An IKE failure—often due to mismatched pre-shared keys, authentication methods, or IKE phase parameters—prevents the encrypted tunnel from forming, causing all IPsec-protected traffic to be dropped.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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 →
Keep practising
More 220-1201 practice questions
- During a network cable installation, a technician needs to verify that a newly run Cat6 cable is properly terminated and…
- A user connects a 4K monitor to their laptop using a USB-C port. The monitor is detected, but the resolution is stuck at…
- A technician is troubleshooting a laptop that will not charge. The battery is removable, and the power adapter works on…
- A customer brings in a smartphone with a broken charging port. They want the port replaced. During disassembly, the tech…
- A user reports that their laptop's keyboard types random characters when certain keys are pressed. The laptop has not be…
- A technician is troubleshooting a laptop that shuts down randomly after a few minutes of use. The fan is spinning, and t…
Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This 220-1201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA 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 220-1201 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.