nerdexam
HashiCorp

VAULT-ASSOCIATE-002 · Question #7

Which of the following cannot define the maximum time-to-live (TTL) for a token?

The correct answer is B. By the client system. While various Vault configurations and parent tokens can define a token's maximum time-to-live (TTL), the client system itself does not have the authority to set this limit; it can only request a TTL within the allowed boundaries.

Submitted by the_admin· Apr 18, 2026Understand Vault Concepts

Question

Which of the following cannot define the maximum time-to-live (TTL) for a token?

Options

  • ABy the authentication method
  • BBy the client system
  • CBy the mount endpoint configuration
  • DA parent token TTL
  • ESystem max TTL

How the community answered

(31 responses)
  • A
    3% (1)
  • B
    87% (27)
  • C
    3% (1)
  • D
    6% (2)

Why each option

While various Vault configurations and parent tokens can define a token's maximum time-to-live (TTL), the client system itself does not have the authority to set this limit; it can only request a TTL within the allowed boundaries.

ABy the authentication method

Authentication methods (e.g., LDAP, AppRole) often have specific role configurations that define the maximum TTL for tokens issued through them.

BBy the client systemCorrect

The client system can request a desired token TTL when creating or renewing a token, but it cannot ultimately define or override the maximum TTLs enforced by the Vault server. The maximum lifespan of a token is always capped by the system max TTL, the parent token's remaining TTL, and the specific mount endpoint or authentication method's role configuration, ensuring server-side control over token validity.

CBy the mount endpoint configuration

Each secrets engine or authentication method mount point can have its own configured `max_lease_ttl` which restricts the maximum duration of secrets or tokens issued from that mount.

DA parent token TTL

A child token's maximum TTL cannot exceed its parent token's remaining TTL or its maximum allowed TTL, whichever is shorter, effectively limiting the child's lifespan.

ESystem max TTL

The system max TTL is a global Vault configuration that sets an absolute upper bound on the lifespan of any token or secret lease in the entire Vault cluster.

Concept tested: Vault token TTLs and hierarchy

Source: https://www.vaultproject.io/docs/concepts/tokens#token-time-to-live-ttl

Topics

#Token Management#Time-to-Live (TTL)#Leases#Vault Configuration

Community Discussion

No community discussion yet for this question.

Full VAULT-ASSOCIATE-002 Practice