- A
Configure IKE version to match.
Why wrong: IKE version is unrelated to traffic selectors.
- B
Set local to on-prem subnet and remote to VPC subnet.
Why wrong: That is for policy-based VPN, not route-based.
- C
Use policy-based VPN instead.
Why wrong: The question specifies route-based; policy-based is different.
- D
Set both local and remote traffic selectors to 0.0.0.0/0.
Route-based tunnels use wildcard selectors; routing decisions are based on routes, not selectors.
Question 374 of 1,000
mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
PCNE Practice Question: A customer is configuring a route-based IPsec VPN…
This PCNE practice question tests your understanding of pcne exam topics. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 customer is configuring a route-based IPsec VPN tunnel to Google Cloud. On their on-premises router, they must specify traffic selectors (proxy IDs). What should they set the local and remote traffic selectors to?
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
✓
Set both local and remote traffic selectors to 0.0.0.0/0.
Option D is correct: For route-based VPN, traffic selectors (proxy IDs) should be set to 0.0.0.0/0 (any) because route-based tunnels use routing tables to determine which traffic is sent through the tunnel, rather than policy-based selectors. Option A is incorrect because IKE version does not affect traffic selectors. Option B is incorrect because specifying local and remote subnets is used for policy-based VPN, not route-based. Option C is incorrect because the question specifies route-based VPN; using policy-based VPN is unnecessary and not the correct action.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Configure IKE version to match.
Why it's wrong here
IKE version is unrelated to traffic selectors.
- ✗
Set local to on-prem subnet and remote to VPC subnet.
Why it's wrong here
That is for policy-based VPN, not route-based.
- ✗
Use policy-based VPN instead.
Why it's wrong here
The question specifies route-based; policy-based is different.
- ✓
Set both local and remote traffic selectors to 0.0.0.0/0.
Why this is correct
Route-based tunnels use wildcard selectors; routing decisions are based on routes, not selectors.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
- Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
- The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
- Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
- Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
- Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
Visual reference
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.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related PCNE subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCNE question test?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Set both local and remote traffic selectors to 0.0.0.0/0. — Option D is correct: For route-based VPN, traffic selectors (proxy IDs) should be set to 0.0.0.0/0 (any) because route-based tunnels use routing tables to determine which traffic is sent through the tunnel, rather than policy-based selectors. Option A is incorrect because IKE version does not affect traffic selectors. Option B is incorrect because specifying local and remote subnets is used for policy-based VPN, not route-based. Option C is incorrect because the question specifies route-based VPN; using policy-based VPN is unnecessary and not the correct action.
What should I do if I get this PCNE question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related PCNE subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This PCNE practice question is part of Courseiva's free Google Cloud 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 PCNE exam.
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