Question 1,546 of 2,015

IP SLA →easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The answer is that the IP SLA operation has a threshold configured that is lower than the RTT, causing the track object to show as down despite the operation being active. This occurs because the track object monitors the IP SLA’s reachability state, but the IP SLA itself can be marked as down if its measured round-trip time exceeds a configured threshold, even while the operation remains active and sending probes. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the distinction between an IP SLA’s operational state and its threshold-based state, a common trap where candidates assume “Active” means the track object must be up. The key is that “track ip sla reachability” follows the IP SLA’s overall state, which can be forced down by a threshold violation. Remember the mnemonic: “Active doesn’t mean reachable—thresholds can flip the table.”

CCNP IP SLA Practice Question

This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of ip sla. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 network engineer configures IP SLA 40 to monitor the reachability of a server at 10.1.1.1 using ICMP echo. The operation is used as a track object for a static route. The engineer notices that the IP SLA operation shows 'State: Active' and 'Latest RTT: 10 ms', but the track object shows 'Track 40: down'. The engineer checks the track configuration and sees 'track 40 ip sla 40 reachability'. What is the most likely cause?

Clue words in this question

Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.

Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.

Question 1easymultiple choice

Review the full routing breakdown →

A
The IP SLA operation has a threshold configured that is lower than the RTT, causing the operation to be marked as 'down'.
Correct. If a threshold is configured and the RTT exceeds it, the IP SLA operation transitions to a 'down' state, which then causes the track object to go down.
B
The track object must be configured with 'ip sla 40 state' instead of 'reachability' to match the operation state.
Why wrong: Incorrect because 'reachability' is a valid keyword that tracks whether the operation is up or down; the issue is that the operation is down due to threshold.
C
The IP SLA operation is not configured with a 'frequency', so it only runs once and then goes down.
Why wrong: Incorrect because without a frequency, the operation runs once and then stops, but it does not go down; it remains in an 'active' state with no further probes.
D
The static route is configured with a higher administrative distance, causing the track object to go down.
Why wrong: Incorrect because the administrative distance of the static route does not affect the track object's state.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

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 IP SLA operation has a threshold configured that is lower than the RTT, causing the operation to be marked as 'down'.

The track object is configured to track reachability, which means it checks if the IP SLA operation is in a 'down' state. However, if the IP SLA operation is active, the track object should be up. The most likely cause is that the IP SLA operation is configured with a threshold that is being exceeded, causing the operation to be considered 'down' even though it is active.

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.

✓
The IP SLA operation has a threshold configured that is lower than the RTT, causing the operation to be marked as 'down'.
Why this is correct
Correct. If a threshold is configured and the RTT exceeds it, the IP SLA operation transitions to a 'down' state, which then causes the track object to go down.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The track object must be configured with 'ip sla 40 state' instead of 'reachability' to match the operation state.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because 'reachability' is a valid keyword that tracks whether the operation is up or down; the issue is that the operation is down due to threshold.
✗
The IP SLA operation is not configured with a 'frequency', so it only runs once and then goes down.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because without a frequency, the operation runs once and then stops, but it does not go down; it remains in an 'active' state with no further probes.
✗
The static route is configured with a higher administrative distance, causing the track object to go down.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because the administrative distance of the static route does not affect the track object's state.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.

Trap categories for this question

Keyword trap
Incorrect because 'reachability' is a valid keyword that tracks whether the operation is up or down; the issue is that the operation is down due to threshold.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.

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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.

TExam Day Tips

Underline the problem statement mentally.
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 practitioner preparing for the 350-401 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.

What to study next

Got this wrong? Here's your next step.

Identify which 350-401 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this 350-401 question test?

IP SLA — This question tests IP SLA — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: The IP SLA operation has a threshold configured that is lower than the RTT, causing the operation to be marked as 'down'. — The track object is configured to track reachability, which means it checks if the IP SLA operation is in a 'down' state. However, if the IP SLA operation is active, the track object should be up. The most likely cause is that the IP SLA operation is configured with a threshold that is being exceeded, causing the operation to be considered 'down' even though it is active.

What should I do if I get this 350-401 question wrong?

Are there clue words in this question I should notice?

Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

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