Quick Answer
The answer is MED, or Multi-Exit Discriminator, because the BGP attribute preferred when it has the lowest value is indeed the MED. This attribute is used to influence inbound traffic to an autonomous system by suggesting to a neighboring AS which path is more preferable; a lower MED value indicates a more preferred entry point. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, you will often see this tested in scenarios where multiple paths exist between two ASes, and you must select the path with the lowest MED, but remember that MED is only compared between paths from the same neighboring AS—a common trap is comparing MEDs from different ASes. A helpful memory tip is to think "MED is low to go," meaning a lower MED value makes the router prefer that path for incoming traffic.
This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of mpls. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Which BGP attribute is preferred when it has the lowest value?
MED (Multi-Exit Discriminator)
Correct. Lower MED is preferred when comparing routes from the same neighboring AS.
Local Preference
Why wrong: Incorrect. Higher Local Preference is preferred.
Weight
Why wrong: Incorrect. Higher Weight is preferred.
AS Path
Why wrong: Incorrect. Shorter AS Path is preferred, not lower value in the sense of a numeric attribute.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
MED (Multi-Exit Discriminator)
The MED (Multi-Exit Discriminator) attribute is used to influence inbound traffic to an AS, and the path with the lowest MED is preferred.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
MED (Multi-Exit Discriminator)
Why this is correct
Correct. Lower MED is preferred when comparing routes from the same neighboring AS.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Local Preference
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Higher Local Preference is preferred.
Weight
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Higher Weight is preferred.
AS Path
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Shorter AS Path is preferred, not lower value in the sense of a numeric attribute.
Common exam traps
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 350-401 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
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FAQ
MPLS — This question tests MPLS — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
The correct answer is: MED (Multi-Exit Discriminator) — The MED (Multi-Exit Discriminator) attribute is used to influence inbound traffic to an AS, and the path with the lowest MED is preferred.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 350-401 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026
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