Quick Answer
The answer is local preference, which serves as the first tie-breaker in BGP path selection when the weight attribute is equal. This is because BGP evaluates attributes in a strict sequential order, and after comparing the locally significant weight (Cisco-proprietary and highest priority), local preference is the next attribute checked. A higher local preference value is always preferred, making it a critical tool for influencing outbound traffic from an autonomous system. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this concept frequently appears in scenario-based questions where you must determine which path BGP will choose, often with a trap involving weight being set on only one router. A common memory tip is to remember the BGP best-path selection order as "We Love Oranges AS Oranges Mean Pure Refreshment," where "Love" stands for Local preference—the second step after Weight.
This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of infrastructure security. 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 used as the first tie-breaker when multiple paths are available and the weight is equal?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Local preference
Correct. After weight, BGP compares local preference (higher is better).
AS path length
Why wrong: Incorrect. AS path is compared after local preference.
MED
Why wrong: Incorrect. MED is compared after AS path.
Origin code
Why wrong: Incorrect. Origin is compared after MED.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Local preference
BGP uses the local preference attribute as the second tie-breaker (after weight). Higher local preference 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.
Local preference
AS path length
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. AS path is compared after local preference.
MED
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. MED is compared after AS path.
Origin code
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Origin is compared after MED.
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
Infrastructure Security — This question tests Infrastructure Security — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
The correct answer is: Local preference — BGP uses the local preference attribute as the second tie-breaker (after weight). Higher local preference 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.
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026
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