mediumMultiple Choice
CCNP Practice Question: Runs the following command on Router R6: R6# show…
A network engineer runs the following command on Router R6:
R6# show ip pim rp 239.3.3.3
RP 10.0.0.4
Info source: 10.0.0.4, via bootstrap, priority 192, holdtime 150, expires in 00:02:30
Based on this output, what can be concluded?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between 'via bootstrap' (BSR) and 'via Auto-RP' in show command output, leading candidates to confuse the two dynamic RP discovery methods.
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
✓
The RP was learned via BSR.
The output shows 'via bootstrap', which indicates the RP was learned through the Bootstrap Router (BSR) mechanism. BSR is a dynamic RP discovery protocol that uses a bootstrap router to distribute RP information throughout the PIM domain, making option B correct.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The RP was learned via Auto-RP.
Why it's wrong here
Auto-RP is a Cisco-proprietary protocol that uses multicast address 224.0.1.39 and 224.0.1.40 to announce RP candidates, and the output would indicate 'via Auto-RP' or 'Auto-RP' in the source field. The phrase 'via bootstrap' specifically identifies the BSR (Bootstrap Router) protocol, not Auto-RP. Even though both are dynamic RP discovery mechanisms, the router is explicitly stating the RP was learned through the BSR process, so Auto-RP is incorrect.
- ✓
The RP was learned via BSR.
Why this is correct
The RP's source is shown as 'via bootstrap', which is the standard output when a router receives RP information from the BSR protocol defined in RFC 5059. BSR uses a designated bootstrap router to flood RP-set information throughout the PIM domain, allowing all routers to dynamically learn the active RP. The command 'show ip pim rp mapping' or similar would display this exact phrase for BSR-learned RPs, confirming that BSR is the correct mechanism.
- ✗
The RP was statically configured.
Why it's wrong here
If the RP were statically configured, the output would typically display 'via static' or just list the RP address without any learning protocol, since static configuration requires manual configuration of the same RP on every router. The presence of 'via bootstrap' clearly indicates a dynamic learning process, not static configuration. A static RP would also not involve any bootstrap router or RP-set distribution, so there would be no reason for the output to reference bootstrap in any way.
- ✗
The RP is 10.0.0.5.
Why it's wrong here
The router clearly identifies the active RP as 10.0.0.4, not 10.0.0.5. The statement 'The RP is 10.0.0.5' directly contradicts the displayed IP address in the output. While 10.0.0.5 might be the local router or another PIM neighbor, it is not the RP that was learned for this multicast group. The correct RP address is a discrete fact explicitly shown in the output, so picking 10.0.0.5 is a misread or a distractor.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.