Match each QoS feature to its description.
Drag a concept onto its matching description — or click a concept then click the description.
Identifying traffic based on specific fields
Setting the DSCP or CoS value in a packet
Dropping packets that exceed a configured rate
Buffering packets to maintain a configured rate
Managing packet order during congestion
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Classification: Identifying and categorizing packets based on criteria such as IP precedence or DSCP.
Correct matches: Classification (A), Marking (B), Policing (C), Queuing (F). Common confusions: Shaping vs. Congestion Avoidance (WRED), where Shaping buffers and WRED drops early.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Classification: Identifying and categorizing packets based on criteria such as IP precedence or DSCP.
Why this is correct
Classification is the process of identifying and categorizing packets based on specified criteria.
Marking: Setting the QoS bits in the packet header to indicate the desired treatment.
Why this is correct
Marking sets QoS bits like DSCP or CoS in the packet header to convey the packet's priority.
Policing: Enforcing a traffic contract by dropping or remarking packets that exceed a configured rate.
Why this is correct
Policing measures traffic rate and takes action (drop or remark) on packets that exceed the limit.
Shaping: Dropping packets early when congestion is anticipated to avoid tail drop.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect — this describes Congestion Avoidance (WRED), not Shaping. Shaping buffers excess packets to smooth traffic.
Congestion Avoidance: Smoothing traffic to fit within a desired rate by buffering excess packets.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect — this describes Shaping, not Congestion Avoidance. Congestion Avoidance proactively drops packets to prevent tail drop.
Queuing: Managing the order in which packets are transmitted out an interface during congestion.
Why this is correct
Queuing arranges packets for transmission according to scheduling algorithms like CBWFQ.
About these practice questions
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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.