- A
The interface is placed into VRF BLUE, and all traffic sent or received on this interface uses the routing table of VRF BLUE.
Correct. The interface is now in VRF BLUE and uses its separate routing table.
- B
The interface remains in the global routing table but is allowed to communicate with VRF BLUE via route leaking.
Why wrong: Incorrect. The interface is moved into VRF BLUE, not kept global.
- C
The interface is placed into VRF BLUE, but the IP address is assigned from the global routing table.
Why wrong: Incorrect. The IP address is part of VRF BLUE's address space.
- D
The configuration is invalid because VRF BLUE must be created first using 'vrf definition BLUE'.
Why wrong: Incorrect. While VRF must exist, the command is valid if VRF is already defined; the snippet assumes VRF exists.
Quick Answer
The answer is that the interface is placed into VRF BLUE, and all traffic sent or received on this interface uses the routing table of VRF BLUE. This occurs because the `ip vrf forwarding BLUE` command binds the interface to a separate Virtual Routing and Forwarding instance, creating an isolated routing table distinct from the global table. As a result, any packet entering or leaving GigabitEthernet0/1 is forwarded exclusively according to the routes within VRF BLUE, effectively segmenting traffic from the global routing domain. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this concept tests your understanding of network virtualization and traffic isolation, often appearing in questions about MPLS L3VPN or management VRF configurations. A common trap is assuming the IP address is removed or that the interface still uses the global table; in reality, the VRF assignment must precede the IP address configuration, or the address will be rejected. Remember the mnemonic: “VRF first, then address—traffic stays in its own address space.”
CCNP VRF and Path Isolation Practice Question
This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of vrf and path isolation. 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.
Examine the following configuration snippet on a Cisco IOS-XE router:
interface GigabitEthernet0/1 ip vrf forwarding BLUE ip address 192.168.1.1 255.255.255.0 no shutdown
What is the effect of this configuration?
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 interface is placed into VRF BLUE, and all traffic sent or received on this interface uses the routing table of VRF BLUE.
The 'ip vrf forwarding BLUE' command associates the interface with VRF BLUE, which creates a separate routing table instance. All traffic entering or exiting this interface is forwarded using the VRF BLUE routing table, not the global routing table. This isolates the interface's traffic from the global routing domain.
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 interface is placed into VRF BLUE, and all traffic sent or received on this interface uses the routing table of VRF BLUE.
Why this is correct
Correct. The interface is now in VRF BLUE and uses its separate routing table.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The interface remains in the global routing table but is allowed to communicate with VRF BLUE via route leaking.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. The interface is moved into VRF BLUE, not kept global.
- ✗
The interface is placed into VRF BLUE, but the IP address is assigned from the global routing table.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. The IP address is part of VRF BLUE's address space.
- ✗
The configuration is invalid because VRF BLUE must be created first using 'vrf definition BLUE'.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. While VRF must exist, the command is valid if VRF is already defined; the snippet assumes VRF exists.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume the interface remains in the global routing table or that the VRF must be explicitly defined before use, but Cisco IOS-XE allows VRF creation via the interface command, and the interface is fully moved into the VRF's routing domain.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Incorrect. While VRF must exist, the command is valid if VRF is already defined; the snippet assumes VRF exists.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, VRF (Virtual Routing and Forwarding) creates a separate Routing Information Base (RIB) and Forwarding Information Base (FIB) per VRF. When 'ip vrf forwarding' is applied to an interface, the router removes any existing IP address from the interface, requiring the address to be re-assigned after the VRF association. In production, this is commonly used in MPLS L3VPN or management VRF scenarios to segregate traffic without requiring multiple physical routers.
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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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VRF and Path Isolation — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 350-401 question test?
VRF and Path Isolation — This question tests VRF and Path Isolation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The interface is placed into VRF BLUE, and all traffic sent or received on this interface uses the routing table of VRF BLUE. — The 'ip vrf forwarding BLUE' command associates the interface with VRF BLUE, which creates a separate routing table instance. All traffic entering or exiting this interface is forwarded using the VRF BLUE routing table, not the global routing table. This isolates the interface's traffic from the global routing domain.
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
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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