CCNP Infrastructure Practice Question
A network administrator is deploying a new branch office that requires a dynamic routing protocol supporting unequal-cost load balancing and fast convergence. The topology includes Cisco routers only. Which routing protocol should be implemented?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that OSPF or BGP can perform unequal-cost load balancing because they support equal-cost multipath.
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
✓
EIGRP
EIGRP is the only protocol among the choices that inherently supports unequal-cost load balancing via the variance feature and provides fast convergence through its feasible successor mechanism. OSPF and BGP support only equal-cost multipath, and RIPv2 lacks both features, making EIGRP the correct choice for this scenario.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
BGP
Why it's wrong here
BGP is primarily used for inter-domain routing and does not support unequal-cost load balancing natively. It can perform multipath with equal-cost paths, but not unequal-cost. BGP convergence can also be slower due to its path vector nature. Thus, it does not meet the requirements.
- ✗
OSPF
Why it's wrong here
OSPF supports equal-cost load balancing only. It does not have a built-in mechanism for unequal-cost load balancing like EIGRP's variance. While OSPF converges quickly, it fails the requirement for unequal-cost load balancing. Therefore, it is not the best choice for this scenario.
- ✓
EIGRP
Why this is correct
EIGRP supports unequal-cost load balancing through the variance command, allowing traffic to be distributed across multiple paths with different metrics. It also converges quickly using the feasible successor mechanism, making it suitable for this branch office scenario. OSPF and BGP do not natively support unequal-cost load balancing, and RIP has slow convergence.
- ✗
RIPv2
Why it's wrong here
RIPv2 is a distance-vector protocol with a maximum hop count of 15 and slow convergence timers. It does not support unequal-cost load balancing. While simple to configure, it is unsuitable for a branch office requiring fast convergence and unequal-cost load balancing.
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.
About these practice questions
This 350-401 question is part of Courseiva's 1,923-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
This 350-401 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 350-401 exam.