- A
STP will cause slow convergence and inefficient use of redundant links.
Correct because STP blocks redundant links and convergence can take 30-50 seconds, which is not suitable for high-availability designs.
- B
STP requires all switches to be in the same VLAN to function correctly.
Why wrong: Incorrect because STP operates per VLAN (PVST+) and does not require all switches to be in the same VLAN.
- C
STP cannot be used with 5000 users due to MAC address table limitations.
Why wrong: Incorrect because STP does not directly limit the number of users; MAC address table size is a hardware limitation, not a STP issue.
- D
STP will cause broadcast storms in a three-building design.
Why wrong: Incorrect because STP is designed to prevent broadcast storms by blocking redundant paths; it does not cause them.
Quick Answer
The primary design concern with using STP in this scenario is that STP will cause slow convergence and inefficient use of redundant links. Classic 802.1D Spanning Tree Protocol takes 30 to 50 seconds to transition through listening and learning states after a topology change, which is unacceptable for a campus network supporting 5000 users across three buildings where high availability is critical. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this question tests your understanding of why legacy STP fails in modern high-availability designs, often contrasting it with Rapid PVST+ or MST that achieve sub-second convergence. A common trap is assuming any STP variant is fine for redundancy, but the exam expects you to recognize that classic STP’s blocking of redundant links wastes bandwidth and its slow timers cause prolonged downtime. Memory tip: think “30-50 seconds of silence” for STP, versus “Rapid PVST+ is the fast fix.”
CCNP Enterprise Network Design Practice Question
This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of enterprise network design. 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.
A large enterprise is redesigning its campus network to support 5000 users across three buildings. The design must provide high availability and fast convergence in case of a link failure. The network engineer is considering using Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) in the access layer. What is the primary design concern with using STP in this scenario?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"primary"Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
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
STP will cause slow convergence and inefficient use of redundant links.
STP (802.1D) converges slowly, typically taking 30-50 seconds (listening + learning states) after a topology change. In a large campus network with 5000 users, this delay causes unacceptable downtime. Additionally, STP blocks redundant links to prevent loops, wasting bandwidth that could be used for load balancing. Modern alternatives like Rapid PVST+ (802.1w) or MST (802.1s) offer sub-second convergence, making classic STP a poor choice for high-availability designs.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
STP will cause slow convergence and inefficient use of redundant links.
Why this is correct
Correct because STP blocks redundant links and convergence can take 30-50 seconds, which is not suitable for high-availability designs.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
STP requires all switches to be in the same VLAN to function correctly.
- ✗
STP cannot be used with 5000 users due to MAC address table limitations.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because STP does not directly limit the number of users; MAC address table size is a hardware limitation, not a STP issue.
- ✗
STP will cause broadcast storms in a three-building design.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because STP is designed to prevent broadcast storms by blocking redundant paths; it does not cause them.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that STP is a suitable high-availability solution, when in fact its slow convergence and blocked link inefficiency make it a poor choice for modern campus networks; candidates may overlook the need for RSTP or MST in the design.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Classic STP uses a single spanning-tree instance for all VLANs, leading to suboptimal path selection and longer convergence. In contrast, Rapid PVST+ (802.1w) provides per-VLAN fast convergence by using proposal/agreement handshakes and edge port roles, reducing failover to under 1 second. A real-world scenario: a link failure in a three-building STP network could cause a 30-second outage, disrupting VoIP calls and critical applications, whereas RSTP would recover almost instantly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A help-desk technician troubleshoots why a newly connected PC cannot reach shared printers on the same floor. The cable is good, the switch port is active, but the PC is in VLAN 20 and the printers are in VLAN 10. The uplink trunk only allows VLAN 10. A trunk being up does not mean every VLAN crosses it.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 350-401 question test?
Enterprise Network Design — This question tests Enterprise Network Design — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: STP will cause slow convergence and inefficient use of redundant links. — STP (802.1D) converges slowly, typically taking 30-50 seconds (listening + learning states) after a topology change. In a large campus network with 5000 users, this delay causes unacceptable downtime. Additionally, STP blocks redundant links to prevent loops, wasting bandwidth that could be used for load balancing. Modern alternatives like Rapid PVST+ (802.1w) or MST (802.1s) offer sub-second convergence, making classic STP a poor choice for high-availability designs.
What should I do if I get this 350-401 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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.
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