Match each BGP attribute to its role in route selection.
Drag a concept onto its matching description — or click a concept then click the description.
Cisco-proprietary attribute, highest weight preferred
Used to influence outbound traffic from an AS
Shorter path is preferred
Used to influence inbound traffic to an AS
IP address of the next router to reach the destination
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
AS_PATH: Used to determine the shortest path to a destination
BGP attributes influence route selection in a specific order: Weight, LOCAL_PREF, AS_PATH, MED, and others. AS_PATH measures path length, LOCAL_PREF directs outbound traffic, MED directs inbound traffic, and Weight is a Cisco-proprietary local preference.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
AS_PATH: Used to determine the shortest path to a destination
Why this is correct
AS_PATH lists the AS numbers a route has traversed; shorter AS_PATH is preferred.
LOCAL_PREF: Used to influence outbound traffic from an AS
Why this is correct
LOCAL_PREF is set locally and advertised to iBGP peers; higher value is preferred for outbound routing.
MED: Used to influence inbound traffic to an AS
Why this is correct
MED is exchanged between ASes; lower MED is preferred for inbound traffic.
Weight: Cisco-specific attribute to prefer a route locally
Why this is correct
Weight is local to the router; higher weight is preferred over other attributes.
AS_PATH: Used to influence outbound traffic from an AS
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect — AS_PATH determines path length, not outbound traffic influence; that is LOCAL_PREF.
LOCAL_PREF: Used to determine the shortest AS path
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect — LOCAL_PREF influences outbound routing; AS_PATH determines shortest path.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This ANS-C01 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Amazon Web Services certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the ANS-C01 exam.