Which two statements accurately describe why BGP is often relevant at an Internet or multi-provider edge?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
Best answer
It is associated with routing between autonomous systems.
This is correct because inter-AS routing is the classic BGP scope.
Best answer
It is commonly discussed for external or provider-edge route exchange.
This is correct because BGP is strongly associated with that edge role.
Distractor review
It is mainly used to replace STP on access switches.
This is wrong because BGP does not replace spanning-tree.
Distractor review
It is required before DHCP relay can function.
This is wrong because DHCP relay does not depend on BGP.
Distractor review
It is the protocol used by CAPWAP for AP discovery.
This is wrong because CAPWAP is a separate wireless-control concept.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A frequent exam trap is mistaking BGP for an internal protocol or confusing it with unrelated network functions. For example, some might incorrectly believe BGP replaces STP on access switches or is necessary for DHCP relay to work. These are incorrect because BGP operates between autonomous systems for external routing, while STP manages Layer 2 loops and DHCP relay forwards broadcast requests. Misunderstanding BGP’s scope leads to selecting wrong answers that describe internal or unrelated protocols, so it’s important to focus on BGP’s role in inter-AS routing and external route exchange at the Internet or multi-provider edge.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) is the primary routing protocol used to exchange routing information between different autonomous systems (ASes) on the Internet. Unlike interior gateway protocols such as OSPF or EIGRP, which operate within a single AS, BGP is designed to handle inter-AS routing, making it essential for Internet edge and multi-provider environments. BGP uses path vector routing, advertising network reachability and policy information to ensure scalable and policy-driven routing decisions across diverse networks. In Cisco and CCNA contexts, BGP is typically deployed at the edge of an organization’s network where it connects to one or more Internet Service Providers (ISPs) or external networks. This external BGP (eBGP) session facilitates route exchange between autonomous systems, allowing the organization to manage multiple upstream providers or peers. BGP’s policy controls and path attributes enable administrators to influence route selection and traffic flow, which is critical for multi-homed environments and Internet edge routing. A common exam trap is confusing BGP’s role with internal protocols or unrelated functions such as STP or DHCP relay. BGP does not replace spanning-tree protocol on access switches nor is it required for DHCP relay operation. Understanding that BGP’s relevance is strictly tied to inter-AS routing and external route exchange helps avoid this confusion. Practically, BGP’s use at the edge supports scalable Internet connectivity and multi-provider redundancy, which is a key concept for CCNA candidates to grasp.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- BGP advertises routing information between autonomous systems, enabling inter-AS routing essential for Internet connectivity.
- BGP is commonly deployed at the network edge to exchange routes with external providers or peers using eBGP sessions.
- BGP uses path vector routing and attributes to influence route selection and support multi-homed network environments.
- BGP does not replace Layer 2 protocols like STP, which prevent loops within a LAN environment.
- DHCP relay operates independently of BGP and does not require BGP for forwarding DHCP requests across subnets.
- CAPWAP is a wireless control protocol unrelated to BGP and is not used for AP discovery in routing contexts.
- Understanding BGP’s external routing role helps avoid confusing it with internal routing protocols like OSPF or EIGRP.
- BGP’s policy-based routing capabilities allow organizations to control inbound and outbound traffic at the Internet edge.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
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More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A router learns the same prefix from both OSPF and EIGRP. Which route is installed by default?
Question 2
A router shows this output: R1#show ip ospf neighbor Neighbor ID Pri State Dead Time Address Interface 10.1.1.2 1 FULL/DR 00:00:34 192.168.12.2 GigabitEthernet0/0 10.1.1.3 1 2WAY/DROTHER 00:00:39 192.168.12.3 GigabitEthernet0/0 Which statement is correct?
Question 3
What is the OSPF metric called?
Question 4
A non-root switch has two uplinks toward the root bridge. One path has a lower total STP cost than the other. What role will the lower-cost uplink have?
Question 5
A router interface applies this ACL inbound: 10 deny tcp any any eq 80 20 permit ip any any A user reports that web browsing to a server by IP address fails, but ping works. Which statement best explains the behavior?
Question 6
A router learns route 198.51.100.0/24 from OSPF with AD 110 and also has a static route to the same prefix configured with AD 150. Which route is installed?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
BGP advertises routing information between autonomous systems, enabling inter-AS routing essential for Internet connectivity.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: It is associated with routing between autonomous systems. — BGP is often relevant at the edge because it is associated with route exchange between autonomous systems and large external routing domains. In practical terms, this makes it a natural protocol to discuss where organizations connect to providers or exchange external reachability. It is not just another interior campus protocol. The question is about conceptual fit, not deep BGP attribute tuning.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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