Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Practice Exam

What is the role of the Internet Key Exchange (IKE) protocol in IPsec?

1. To compress data for faster transfer

2. To establish authenticated keys and negotiate security association

3. To route traffic through secure gateways

4. To maintain network integrity

The correct answer is: To establish authenticated keys and negotiate security association

The Internet Key Exchange (IKE) protocol plays a crucial role in the operation of IPsec. Its primary function is to establish authenticated keys and negotiate security associations between the communicating devices. This process involves determining how the two devices will authenticate themselves and what algorithms will be used to secure the data that is exchanged. When IKE is employed, it first goes through a phase to authenticate the entities involved, which often involves exchanging keys securely. Following this, IKE negotiates the parameters for the security associations, which define how the actual data transmission will be encrypted and integrity-checked. By facilitating this secure exchange of keys and establishing the necessary parameters, IKE ensures that the communication between the two endpoints is protected from eavesdropping and tampering. This role is vital for the implementation of IPsec, as it lays the groundwork for a secure connection before any sensitive data is transmitted over the network. The other functions listed, such as compressing data, routing traffic through secure gateways, or maintaining network integrity, are not specific roles of IKE within the context of IPsec. Instead, they pertain to other functionalities or protocols that may assist in achieving overall network security or efficiency but do not encompass the specific purpose of IKE.