- A
The default behavior in ACI allows communication between EPGs in the same bridge domain without a contract
ACI allows intra-BD communication by default; contracts are needed for inter-BD or inter-VRF traffic.
- B
The contract is applied but not enforced due to a configuration error
Why wrong: If a contract is applied, it is enforced; absence of contract does not cause enforcement issue.
- C
The VRF has a default route that bypasses contract enforcement
Why wrong: Default route does not bypass contract enforcement; contracts are applied at the leaf level regardless of routing.
- D
A preferred group contract is applied to the VRF
Why wrong: Preferred group allows all EPGs in the VRF to communicate without explicit contracts; this would permit cross-BD traffic as well.
350-601 Network Practice Question
This 350-601 practice question tests your understanding of network. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.
A data center uses Cisco ACI with multiple tenants. The security policy requires that all traffic between EPGs must be explicitly allowed via contracts. However, the operations team reports that communication between two EPGs in the same bridge domain is working even though no contract is applied. What is the most likely reason?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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 default behavior in ACI allows communication between EPGs in the same bridge domain without a contract
In Cisco ACI, the default behavior for EPGs within the same bridge domain (BD) is that they can communicate without a contract. This is because EPGs in the same BD share the same Layer 2 domain, and ACI does not enforce contract-based filtering for intra-BD traffic unless a contract is explicitly applied. The security policy requiring contracts applies only to inter-BD or inter-VRF traffic, not to intra-BD communication.
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 default behavior in ACI allows communication between EPGs in the same bridge domain without a contract
Why this is correct
ACI allows intra-BD communication by default; contracts are needed for inter-BD or inter-VRF traffic.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The contract is applied but not enforced due to a configuration error
Why it's wrong here
If a contract is applied, it is enforced; absence of contract does not cause enforcement issue.
- ✗
The VRF has a default route that bypasses contract enforcement
Why it's wrong here
Default route does not bypass contract enforcement; contracts are applied at the leaf level regardless of routing.
- ✗
A preferred group contract is applied to the VRF
Why it's wrong here
Preferred group allows all EPGs in the VRF to communicate without explicit contracts; this would permit cross-BD traffic as well.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that contracts are required for all EPG-to-EPG communication, but the trap here is that intra-BD traffic is an exception where no contract is needed by default.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACI uses a policy-driven model where contracts define allowed communication between EPGs. However, within the same bridge domain, EPGs are in the same broadcast domain, and ACI treats them as part of a single Layer 2 forwarding domain. By default, no contract is required for intra-BD traffic because the leaf switches perform hardware forwarding based on the MAC address table, not policy lookups, unless a contract is explicitly applied to the EPG pair. This behavior is documented in Cisco ACI design guides and is a common source of confusion for administrators expecting strict zero-trust within a BD.
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 350-601 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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Network — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 350-601 question test?
Network — This question tests Network — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The default behavior in ACI allows communication between EPGs in the same bridge domain without a contract — In Cisco ACI, the default behavior for EPGs within the same bridge domain (BD) is that they can communicate without a contract. This is because EPGs in the same BD share the same Layer 2 domain, and ACI does not enforce contract-based filtering for intra-BD traffic unless a contract is explicitly applied. The security policy requiring contracts applies only to inter-BD or inter-VRF traffic, not to intra-BD communication.
What should I do if I get this 350-601 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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 11, 2026
This 350-601 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 350-601 exam.
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