CCNP Infrastructure Practice Question
A network engineer is configuring a Cisco IOS router to support VRF-lite for a customer. The engineer creates a VRF named CUST_A and assigns an interface to it using the command ip vrf forwarding CUST_A. After assigning the interface, the engineer notices that the interface IP address is removed. Which action must the engineer take to restore connectivity?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that the IP address remains configured when an interface is assigned to a VRF, when in fact it is removed and must be reconfigured.
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
✓
Reapply the IP address to the interface after assigning it to the VRF.
Assigning an interface to a VRF with ip vrf forwarding removes any existing IP address because the interface's addressing is now scoped to the VRF. The engineer must reapply the IP address after the VRF assignment. This is a standard step in VRF-lite configuration. The other options either suggest incorrect order or misunderstand the behavior of VRF assignment.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Reapply the IP address to the interface after assigning it to the VRF.
Why this is correct
When an interface is assigned to a VRF using the ip vrf forwarding command, any existing IP address is removed because the interface's IP address is now part of the VRF's routing table. The engineer must re-enter the IP address configuration after the VRF assignment. This is a common operational step when configuring VRF-lite.
- ✗
Configure a global IP address and then assign the interface to the VRF.
Why it's wrong here
Configuring a global IP address before VRF assignment will not help because the ip vrf forwarding command removes any IP address when the interface is assigned to a VRF. The correct order is to assign the VRF first, then configure the IP address. This option suggests the opposite order, which would still result in the IP being removed.
- ✗
Enable OSPF within the VRF to automatically restore the IP address.
Why it's wrong here
Enabling a routing protocol within the VRF does not restore the interface IP address. The IP address must be manually reconfigured on the interface after VRF assignment. Routing protocols operate on the interface after it has an IP address and is up. This option misunderstands the relationship between routing protocols and interface addressing.
- ✗
Remove the VRF from the interface and then reassign it to reset the IP address.
Why it's wrong here
Removing and reassigning the VRF will again remove the IP address, not restore it. The IP address is lost each time the VRF assignment is changed. The solution is to configure the IP address after the final VRF assignment. This option does not address the root cause and would repeat the issue.
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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.