easyMultiple Select
CCNP Practice Question: Which two statements about VRF-lite configuration…
Which two statements about VRF-lite configuration are true? (Choose two.)
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates confuse VRF-lite with MPLS L3VPN — candidates often assume MPLS is required, but VRF-lite is explicitly the MPLS-free variant, and it supports many VRFs, not just two.
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
✓
In VRF-lite, each VRF maintains its own independent routing table.
Option A is correct because VRF-lite creates separate virtual routing and forwarding instances, each with its own independent routing and forwarding table (RIB/FIB), which is the core purpose of VRF-lite—traffic isolation without MPLS. Option B is correct because on Cisco IOS/IOS-XE, an interface is bound to a VRF by entering interface configuration mode and issuing the 'ip vrf forwarding <vrf-name>' command, which associates the interface's Layer 3 traffic with that VRF's routing table. Option C is incorrect because VRF-lite specifically does not require MPLS; it is the MPLS-free variant of VRF used for path isolation on a single device or with plain 802.1Q trunks. Option D is incorrect because inter-VRF communication can be achieved with various methods, including route leaking via static routes, dynamic routing protocols, or external devices—not static routes exclusively. Option E is incorrect because a router can support many VRFs (hundreds or thousands depending on platform resources), not a maximum of two.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
In VRF-lite, each VRF maintains its own independent routing table.
Why this is correct
VRF-lite achieves path isolation by giving each VRF a separate RIB and FIB, so overlapping prefixes between tenants never conflict. This satisfies the requirement for independent per-VRF forwarding decisions on a single physical device, without MPLS labels.
- ✓
Interfaces are assigned to a VRF using the 'ip vrf forwarding' command under interface configuration.
Why this is correct
The 'ip vrf forwarding' interface command binds the interface to a named VRF, moving its IP configuration into that VRF's table. This is the mechanism that places a physical or subinterface port into the isolated routing instance the scenario requires.
- ✗
VRF-lite requires MPLS enabled on all interfaces.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because VRF-lite is specifically designed to work without MPLS.
- ✗
VRF-lite can only use static routes for inter-VRF communication.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because dynamic routing protocols like OSPF, EIGRP, and BGP can be used within VRFs.
- ✗
A router can have at most two VRFs configured.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because Cisco IOS supports many VRFs (the exact limit depends on platform and memory).
Quick reference
Routing Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Metric | Max Hops | Algorithm | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIP v2 | Hop count | 15 | Bellman-Ford | Distance vector |
| OSPF | Cost (bandwidth) | Unlimited | Dijkstra (SPF) | Link state |
| EIGRP | Composite metric | Unlimited | DUAL | Hybrid |
| IS-IS | Cost | Unlimited | Dijkstra | Link state |
| BGP | Policy / attributes | Unlimited | Path vector | Path vector |
RIP's 15-hop limit makes it unsuitable for large networks. OSPF and EIGRP dominate modern enterprise deployments.
About these practice questions
One of 1,923 original 350-401 practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
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.