Quick Answer
The answer is MED, or Multi-Exit Discriminator, which is the BGP attribute preferred with the lowest value. This is because MED is used to influence inbound traffic to an AS from multiple entry points, acting as a metric that suggests to a neighboring AS which path is more preferred; a lower MED value indicates a more desirable path. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this concept often appears in questions that test your ability to distinguish between BGP path selection steps, with a common trap being confusion with LOCAL_PREF or WEIGHT, both of which are preferred with the highest value. Remember that MED is the only major attribute where the lowest value wins, making it the outlier in BGP’s best-path algorithm. A helpful memory tip: “MED is low to go” — a lower MED means the path is more attractive for incoming traffic.
This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of cisco dna center. 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?
WEIGHT
Why wrong: WEIGHT is preferred with the highest value.
LOCAL_PREF
Why wrong: LOCAL_PREF is preferred with the highest value.
MED
MED is the attribute where a lower value is preferred.
ORIGIN
Why wrong: ORIGIN prefers IGP over EGP and incomplete, not based on a numeric value.
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
BGP uses multiple attributes to determine the best path. The WEIGHT attribute is Cisco-specific and is preferred when it has the highest value, not lowest. The LOCAL_PREF attribute is preferred with the highest value. The MED (Multi-Exit Discriminator) attribute is preferred with the lowest value. The ORIGIN attribute prefers IGP over EGP and incomplete.
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.
WEIGHT
Why it's wrong here
WEIGHT is preferred with the highest value.
LOCAL_PREF
Why it's wrong here
LOCAL_PREF is preferred with the highest value.
MED
Why this is correct
MED is the attribute where a lower value is preferred.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
ORIGIN
Why it's wrong here
ORIGIN prefers IGP over EGP and incomplete, not based on a numeric value.
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
Cisco DNA Center — This question tests Cisco DNA Center — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
The correct answer is: MED — BGP uses multiple attributes to determine the best path. The WEIGHT attribute is Cisco-specific and is preferred when it has the highest value, not lowest. The LOCAL_PREF attribute is preferred with the highest value. The MED (Multi-Exit Discriminator) attribute is preferred with the lowest value. The ORIGIN attribute prefers IGP over EGP and incomplete.
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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