Practise command-choice questions where the task is to identify the correct verification, configuration or troubleshooting command.
Start Scenario PracticeA network engineer is troubleshooting an OSPF adjacency failure between two directly connected routers, R1 and R2. Both routers are configured with the same OSPF process ID and area. The engineer verifies that the interfaces are up and IP connectivity exists. Which configuration mismatch is most likely causing the adjacency to fail?
Explanation: An OSPF network type mismatch, such as one interface configured as point-to-point and the other as broadcast, prevents OSPF adjacency from forming. Options A, B, and C are incorrect: An MTU mismatch (A) usually allows adjacency to form but causes problems during LSA exchange; a passive interface (B) stops the router from sending hellos, so it wouldn't see the neighbor at all, but the question implies both interfaces are operational; an area ID mismatch (C) would prevent adjacency, but the scenario specifies that both routers are configured in the same area. Therefore, the most likely cause of the adjacency failure when interfaces are up and IP connectivity exists is a network type mismatch.
A network engineer is troubleshooting QoS in a service provider environment. Customer traffic is marked with DSCP AF31 (011010) at the CE. On the PE router, the policy maps trust DSCP and sets the CoS to 4. However, core routers remark the DSCP to 0. What is the most likely cause?
Explanation: The core router is likely applying a policer that marks down traffic exceeding the committed information rate (CIR). When traffic is out-of-contract, the policer can re-mark the DSCP to 0 (best effort), which overrides the trusted DSCP AF31 and the CoS 4 set at the PE. This behavior is common in service provider environments where core routers enforce traffic contracts and use policing to penalize excess traffic.
An SP is troubleshooting an MPLS L2VPN VPLS network where MAC flapping is occurring between two PEs. Which mechanism in VPLS prevents loops and ensures that a broadcast frame from one PE is not reflected back to the originating PE?
Explanation: In a VPLS environment, split horizon is the mechanism that prevents loops by ensuring that a broadcast, multicast, or unknown unicast frame received from a pseudowire (PW) is never forwarded back to any other PW on the same PE. This rule, defined in RFC 4761 and RFC 4762, stops the originating PE from receiving its own reflected frames, thus eliminating the MAC flapping that would occur if the frame were looped through the MPLS core.
An engineer configures an SR-TE policy with a segment list containing adjacency SIDs. The required path includes a strict loose hop through a specific router. Which segment type should be used for the strict hop?
Explanation: Adjacency SIDs force the packet to traverse a specific link. For a strict hop, the adjacency SID ensures the packet goes through that exact link. A Node SID would allow any path to the node.
In a carrier network using VRF-lite for customer isolation, which issue arises if route-target values are not correctly configured?
Explanation: In VRF-lite, route-target (RT) values control the import and export of routes between VRFs. If RTs are misconfigured, a VRF may import routes intended for another VRF, causing customer routes to leak across VRFs. This violates isolation because the VRF table incorrectly accepts routes based on mismatched RT import statements.
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Practice all Which Command Should the Administrator Use Practice QuestionsPractise command-choice questions where the task is to identify the correct verification, configuration or troubleshooting command. These appear throughout the 350-501 and require you to apply your knowledge, not just recall facts.
Cisco doesn't publish an exact breakdown, but scenario-based questions (especially exhibit and command-output formats) make up a significant portion of the 350-501. Practicing each scenario type ensures you're ready for any format.
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