Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Practice Exam

What is the role of a VPN gateway?

1. To manage wireless connections

2. To encrypt data only

3. To perform encryption and decryption for hosts on the local network

4. To manage network traffic

The correct answer is: To perform encryption and decryption for hosts on the local network

The role of a VPN gateway is primarily to perform encryption and decryption for hosts on the local network. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) gateway enables secure remote access by establishing a secure tunnel for data to travel through, effectively allowing data to be securely transmitted over the internet. By encrypting the outgoing data from local hosts and decrypting incoming data, the VPN gateway ensures confidentiality and security for communications, protecting sensitive information from potential interception during transmission. This function is crucial in establishing a secure environment where users can access resources or communicate without jeopardizing the data. While managing wireless connections and network traffic are important aspects of network management, they are not functions that pertain directly to the core purpose of a VPN gateway. Similarly, encrypting data only is not an accurate representation of what a VPN gateway does, as the decryption process is equally vital.