CCNP Architecture Practice Question
Which TWO are benefits of using a spine-leaf architecture in a data center? (Choose two.)
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the misconception that spine-leaf eliminates VLANs or reduces broadcast domains, but the architecture actually uses Layer 3 routing to contain broadcast domains while still requiring VLANs for Layer 2 segmentation at the leaf level.
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
✓
Predictable latency between any two devices
A is correct because spine-leaf architecture ensures that every leaf switch is connected to every spine switch, creating a full-mesh topology. This design guarantees that traffic between any two leaf switches traverses at most one spine hop, resulting in predictable, consistent latency regardless of which devices are communicating.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Predictable latency between any two devices
Why this is correct
Traffic always traverses one spine hop, resulting in consistent latency.
- ✗
Increased number of single points of failure
Why it's wrong here
Spine-leaf eliminates single points of failure if redundant spines and leaves are used.
- ✗
Increased broadcast domain size
Why it's wrong here
Spine-leaf typically uses Layer 3 at spine, reducing broadcast domains.
- ✗
Reduced need for VLANs
Why it's wrong here
VLAN usage is not directly reduced; it's a design choice.
- ✓
Higher bandwidth utilization through multiple equal-cost paths
Why this is correct
ECMP across multiple spines allows better bandwidth utilization.
About these practice questions
This 350-401 question is part of Courseiva's 1,175-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
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.