CCNA IP Routing Practice Question
Which two statements accurately describe why BGP is often relevant at an Internet or multi-provider edge?
⚠ Common exam trap
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.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
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.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
It is associated with routing between autonomous systems.
Why this is correct
BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) is a path-vector protocol designed specifically to exchange network reachability information between autonomous systems (ASes). Its primary role is inter-domain routing, enabling ISPs and large enterprises to make routing decisions based on policies and paths, not just metrics. This distinguishes it from interior gateway protocols (IGPs) like OSPF or EIGRP, which operate within a single AS.
- ✓
It is used for routing between organizations and providers at the network edge.
Why this is correct
At the network edge, BGP is the standard protocol for connecting an organization's network to one or more ISPs or upstream providers. It supports multi-homing, allows for policy-based traffic control, and advertises public IP prefixes. This edge deployment is distinct from internal routing, as BGP is typically not used inside a single enterprise network core.
- ✗
It is mainly used to replace STP on access switches.
Why it's wrong here
Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) prevents physical loops at Layer 2, while BGP is a Layer 3 routing protocol. BGP cannot replace STP because it does not process Ethernet frames or maintain a Layer 2 forwarding database. Access switches typically run STP (or a variant like RSTP/MSTP) to ensure a loop-free topology, independent of any routing protocol.
When this WOULD be correct
In a question that asks about protocols used for Layer 2 network redundancy or loop prevention in local area networks, stating that BGP replaces STP could be correct if the context involves discussing the evolution of network protocols in specific scenarios, such as in a theoretical or experimental setup.
- ✗
It is required before DHCP relay can function.
Why it's wrong here
DHCP relay (ip helper-address) forwards broadcast DHCP requests to a server on a different subnet. This function operates at Layers 2/3 and does not depend on any routing protocol, let alone BGP. A router can provide DHCP relay even with static routes or no BGP configured; BGP is purely for external routing and does not affect DHCP service delivery.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question were about the prerequisites for enabling DHCP services in a network that also involves routing protocols, a statement about BGP being required for DHCP relay could be correct if it specified a scenario where BGP influences routing decisions that affect DHCP traffic flow.
- ✗
It is the protocol used by CAPWAP for AP discovery.
Why it's wrong here
CAPWAP (Control and Provisioning of Wireless Access Points) is a protocol for central management of wireless APs, and it does use UDP for tunneling control and data traffic. However, AP discovery in CAPWAP relies on DHCP, DNS, or the controller's IP address, not BGP. BGP has no role in wireless control-plane functions; it operates at Layer 3 for routing between networks.
When this WOULD be correct
If the exam question asked about protocols used specifically for wireless access point management or discovery, then option E would be correct, as CAPWAP is indeed the protocol used for AP discovery in wireless networks.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The 200-301 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓It is associated with routing between autonomous systems.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) is a path-vector protocol designed specifically to exchange network reachability information between autonomous systems (ASes). Its primary role is inter-domain routing, enabling ISPs and large enterprises to make routing decisions based on policies and paths, not just metrics. This distinguishes it from interior gateway protocols (IGPs) like OSPF or EIGRP, which operate within a single AS.
✗It is mainly used to replace STP on access switches.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This option is wrong because BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) is a routing protocol used for exchanging routing information between autonomous systems, not for replacing Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) on access switches, which is used to prevent loops in Ethernet networks.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a question that asks about protocols used for Layer 2 network redundancy or loop prevention in local area networks, stating that BGP replaces STP could be correct if the context involves discussing the evolution of network protocols in specific scenarios, such as in a theoretical or experimental setup.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may find this option tempting due to a misunderstanding of BGP's role in network architecture, confusing it with other protocols that manage network topology and redundancy, such as STP.
✗It is required before DHCP relay can function.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This option is wrong because BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) is not related to DHCP relay functionality; DHCP relay operates at the network layer and is concerned with forwarding DHCP messages, while BGP is a routing protocol used for inter-autonomous system routing.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question were about the prerequisites for enabling DHCP services in a network that also involves routing protocols, a statement about BGP being required for DHCP relay could be correct if it specified a scenario where BGP influences routing decisions that affect DHCP traffic flow.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might choose this option due to a misunderstanding of network protocols, confusing BGP's role in routing with the operational requirements of DHCP, leading them to incorrectly associate the two concepts.
✗It is the protocol used by CAPWAP for AP discovery.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Option E is incorrect because CAPWAP (Control and Provisioning of Wireless Access Points) is not related to BGP; it is a protocol used for managing wireless access points, not for routing between autonomous systems.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the exam question asked about protocols used specifically for wireless access point management or discovery, then option E would be correct, as CAPWAP is indeed the protocol used for AP discovery in wireless networks.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may find option E tempting due to the familiarity of CAPWAP in discussions about network protocols and may mistakenly associate it with BGP due to their shared relevance in network management.
Analysis generated from the official 200-301blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Visual reference
Quick reference
Routing Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Metric | Max Hops | Algorithm | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIP v2 | Hop count | 15 | Bellman-Ford | Distance vector |
| OSPF | Cost (bandwidth) | Unlimited | Dijkstra (SPF) | Link state |
| EIGRP | Composite metric | Unlimited | DUAL | Hybrid |
| IS-IS | Cost | Unlimited | Dijkstra | Link state |
| BGP | Policy / attributes | Unlimited | Path vector | Path vector |
RIP's 15-hop limit makes it unsuitable for large networks. OSPF and EIGRP dominate modern enterprise deployments.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
OSPFv3 Single-Area Configuration for IPv6
Key term
Border Gateway Protocol
Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) is the routing protocol that directs data packets between the autonomous systems that make up the global internet.
Key term
Route
A route is a path that data takes through a network from one device or network to another, determined by routing protocols and configured rules.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 200-301 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco 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 200-301 exam.