- A
The route via 10.0.0.1 (biz-internet) is preferred because it has lower loss and latency.
SD-WAN uses path selection based on metrics like loss and latency. Lower loss and latency are preferred, so the biz-internet path is better.
- B
The route via 10.0.0.2 (3g) is preferred because it has a higher latency, which indicates a more stable path.
Why wrong: Higher latency is generally worse, not better. SD-WAN prefers lower latency.
- C
Both routes are equally preferred because OMP uses ECMP by default.
Why wrong: OMP does not use ECMP by default; it uses path selection based on metrics. Even if metrics were equal, ECMP would only apply if the routes have the same preference.
- D
The admin-distance of 250 indicates that these routes are learned via BGP.
Why wrong: The admin-distance of 250 is specific to OMP routes, not BGP. BGP has an admin-distance of 20 for eBGP and 200 for iBGP.
Quick Answer
The answer is that the route via 10.0.0.1 (biz-internet) is preferred because it has lower loss and latency. This is correct because OMP route selection in Cisco SD-WAN calculates a path cost based on metrics like loss, latency, and jitter, and the route with the lowest combined metric wins. In the CLI output, the biz-internet path shows loss 0 and latency 10, which is clearly superior to the 3g path’s loss 1 and latency 50, so OMP will choose the lower-cost path regardless of the admin-distance of 250, which is a fixed OMP value and not a tiebreaker. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this tests your understanding that SD-WAN OMP route selection prioritizes transport quality over traditional routing metrics; a common trap is to confuse admin-distance with path preference. Remember the mnemonic: “Low loss, low latency, low cost — OMP picks the best, not the closest.”
CCNP SD-WAN Architecture Practice Question
This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of sd-wan architecture. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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.
Given the following SD-WAN CLI output on a Cisco IOS-XE router:
show sdwan omp routes
10.1.1.0/24, received, admin-distance: 250 via 10.0.0.1, interface GigabitEthernet0/0/1, color biz-internet, loss: 0, latency: 10 via 10.0.0.2, interface GigabitEthernet0/0/2, color 3g, loss: 1, latency: 50
Which statement is true?
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 route via 10.0.0.1 (biz-internet) is preferred because it has lower loss and latency.
Option A is correct because OMP (Overlay Management Protocol) in Cisco SD-WAN selects the best path based on the lowest path cost, which is calculated using metrics such as loss, latency, and jitter. In this output, the route via 10.0.0.1 (biz-internet) has loss 0 and latency 10, which is lower than the route via 10.0.0.2 (3g) with loss 1 and latency 50, making it the preferred path. The admin-distance of 250 is specific to OMP routes and does not affect this comparison.
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 route via 10.0.0.1 (biz-internet) is preferred because it has lower loss and latency.
Why this is correct
SD-WAN uses path selection based on metrics like loss and latency. Lower loss and latency are preferred, so the biz-internet path is better.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The route via 10.0.0.2 (3g) is preferred because it has a higher latency, which indicates a more stable path.
Why it's wrong here
Higher latency is generally worse, not better. SD-WAN prefers lower latency.
- ✗
Both routes are equally preferred because OMP uses ECMP by default.
Why it's wrong here
OMP does not use ECMP by default; it uses path selection based on metrics. Even if metrics were equal, ECMP would only apply if the routes have the same preference.
- ✗
The admin-distance of 250 indicates that these routes are learned via BGP.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that OMP uses ECMP by default for all routes, but in reality, OMP only load-balances across paths with identical metrics, and the admin-distance of 250 is frequently confused with BGP's admin-distance.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
OMP uses a composite metric that includes loss, latency, jitter, and other transport characteristics to determine the best path, and it can be configured to use either 'lowest' or 'highest' values depending on the SLA class. In a real-world scenario, a biz-internet circuit with low loss and latency would be preferred for real-time traffic like VoIP, while a 3g backup link with higher loss and latency would only be used if the primary path fails. The admin-distance of 250 ensures that OMP routes are overridden by directly connected or static routes but not by dynamic routing protocols like OSPF or EIGRP.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 350-401 question test?
SD-WAN Architecture — This question tests SD-WAN Architecture — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The route via 10.0.0.1 (biz-internet) is preferred because it has lower loss and latency. — Option A is correct because OMP (Overlay Management Protocol) in Cisco SD-WAN selects the best path based on the lowest path cost, which is calculated using metrics such as loss, latency, and jitter. In this output, the route via 10.0.0.1 (biz-internet) has loss 0 and latency 10, which is lower than the route via 10.0.0.2 (3g) with loss 1 and latency 50, making it the preferred path. The admin-distance of 250 is specific to OMP routes and does not affect this comparison.
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.
About these practice questions
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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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