This PCNSE practice question tests your understanding of secure access and vpn. 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.
Exhibit
admin@PA-5020> show vpn ike-sa
Gateway Peer Interface Role Life LifeKB State
GW1 10.1.1.1 ethernet1/2 Responder 86400 0 ACTIVE
GW1 10.1.1.1 ethernet1/2 Initiator 86400 0 ACTIVE
GW1 10.1.1.1 ethernet1/2 Responder 86400 0 ACTIVE
Refer to the exhibit. A network engineer sees multiple IKE SAs for the same peer. What does this indicate?
admin@PA-5020> show vpn ike-sa
Gateway Peer Interface Role Life LifeKB State
GW1 10.1.1.1 ethernet1/2 Responder 86400 0 ACTIVE
GW1 10.1.1.1 ethernet1/2 Initiator 86400 0 ACTIVE
GW1 10.1.1.1 ethernet1/2 Responder 86400 0 ACTIVE
A
A configuration error causes duplicate SAs.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Duplicate SAs would show identical parameters, not different roles.
B
Multiple Phase 2 tunnels are established.
Correct. Each unique proxy ID results in a separate IKE SA.
C
Multiple Phase 1 proposals are accepted.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Phase 1 negotiation results in a single SA per proposal combination.
D
The firewall is under DDoS attack.
Why wrong: Incorrect. DDoS would show many different peers, not same peer.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Multiple Phase 2 tunnels are established.
Multiple IKE SAs for the same peer typically indicate multiple Phase 2 tunnels (different proxy IDs) are established.
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.
✗
A configuration error causes duplicate SAs.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Duplicate SAs would show identical parameters, not different roles.
✓
Multiple Phase 2 tunnels are established.
Why this is correct
Correct. Each unique proxy ID results in a separate IKE SA.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Multiple Phase 1 proposals are accepted.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Phase 1 negotiation results in a single SA per proposal combination.
✗
The firewall is under DDoS attack.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. DDoS would show many different peers, not same peer.
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.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Incorrect. Duplicate SAs would show identical parameters, not different roles.
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 PCNSE 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 PCNSE 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.
Secure Access and VPN — This question tests Secure Access and VPN — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Multiple Phase 2 tunnels are established. — Multiple IKE SAs for the same peer typically indicate multiple Phase 2 tunnels (different proxy IDs) are established.
What should I do if I get this PCNSE question wrong?
Identify which PCNSE 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.
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Question Discussion
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