- A
Configure a policy-map that sets the IP precedence to 5 using 'set ip precedence 5'.
Correct because setting IP precedence directly achieves the required marking without needing to map from DSCP.
- B
Configure a policy-map that sets the DSCP to EF, and the router will automatically set IP precedence to 5.
Why wrong: Incorrect because setting DSCP does not automatically set IP precedence; they are separate fields.
- C
Use the 'qos map dscp-ip-precedence' command to create a mapping table.
Why wrong: Incorrect because that command is used on some platforms to map DSCP to IP precedence, but it is not the standard method on most routers.
- D
The router will automatically map DSCP EF to IP precedence 5 without any configuration.
Why wrong: Incorrect because there is no automatic mapping; the engineer must configure the marking.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to configure a policy-map that sets the IP precedence to 5 using the command `set ip precedence 5`. This works because DSCP EF (Expedited Forwarding) has a binary value of 101110, and the IP Precedence field uses only the first three most significant bits—101 in binary equals decimal 5. By explicitly setting IP precedence to 5, you map the voice traffic’s DSCP EF marking to the required precedence value, satisfying the service provider’s expectation without altering the original DSCP. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this tests your understanding of the relationship between DSCP and IP Precedence, often appearing in QoS policy-map configuration questions. A common trap is assuming DSCP EF automatically maps to precedence 5, but the router does not perform this mapping unless explicitly configured. Remember the memory tip: “EF is 46, but precedence takes the top three bits—101 is 5.”
CCNP QoS Architecture Practice Question
This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of qos architecture. 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 is designing a QoS policy for a Cisco router that connects to an MPLS VPN. The service provider expects all traffic to be marked with IP Precedence values. The engineer wants to ensure that voice traffic (DSCP EF) is mapped to IP Precedence 5. What configuration is required on the router to perform this mapping?
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
Configure a policy-map that sets the IP precedence to 5 using 'set ip precedence 5'.
Option A is correct because the 'set ip precedence 5' command in a policy-map explicitly marks the IP Precedence field to 5, which corresponds to the same value as DSCP EF (46) in the IP header. This ensures that voice traffic is marked with IP Precedence 5 as required by the service provider, regardless of any existing DSCP markings.
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.
- ✓
Configure a policy-map that sets the IP precedence to 5 using 'set ip precedence 5'.
Why this is correct
Correct because setting IP precedence directly achieves the required marking without needing to map from DSCP.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Configure a policy-map that sets the DSCP to EF, and the router will automatically set IP precedence to 5.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because setting DSCP does not automatically set IP precedence; they are separate fields.
- ✗
Use the 'qos map dscp-ip-precedence' command to create a mapping table.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because that command is used on some platforms to map DSCP to IP precedence, but it is not the standard method on most routers.
- ✗
The router will automatically map DSCP EF to IP precedence 5 without any configuration.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because there is no automatic mapping; the engineer must configure the marking.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that DSCP and IP Precedence are automatically synchronized or that a single command like 'set dscp ef' will implicitly set the IP Precedence field, when in fact they are independent markings that require separate configuration.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Incorrect because that command is used on some platforms to map DSCP to IP precedence, but it is not the standard method on most routers.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
DSCP EF (46) and IP Precedence 5 share the same first three bits in the ToS byte (101), but DSCP uses the entire 6-bit field while IP Precedence uses only the top 3 bits. When a policy-map sets IP Precedence to 5, it overwrites only those top 3 bits, leaving the lower 3 bits (used for ECN or zero) unchanged, which can cause DSCP value corruption if not carefully managed. In real-world MPLS VPN deployments, service providers often require explicit IP Precedence marking to ensure compatibility with legacy QoS policies that do not interpret DSCP.
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 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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 350-401 question test?
QoS Architecture — This question tests QoS Architecture — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure a policy-map that sets the IP precedence to 5 using 'set ip precedence 5'. — Option A is correct because the 'set ip precedence 5' command in a policy-map explicitly marks the IP Precedence field to 5, which corresponds to the same value as DSCP EF (46) in the IP header. This ensures that voice traffic is marked with IP Precedence 5 as required by the service provider, regardless of any existing DSCP markings.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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