350-601 Network Practice Question
A multicast application requires that all receivers join the same group using PIM sparse mode. Which router is responsible for forwarding traffic from the source to the RP?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the misconception that the RP originates or forwards traffic from the source, when in fact the first-hop router is the one that encapsulates and sends the source traffic to the RP using PIM register messages.
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
✓
First-hop router
In PIM sparse mode, the first-hop router (the router directly connected to the multicast source) is responsible for encapsulating the source's multicast traffic in unicast PIM register messages and forwarding them to the rendezvous point (RP). This process establishes the initial path and triggers the RP to join the source-specific tree (SPT) toward the source.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Rendezvous point (RP)
Why it's wrong here
RP receives traffic from the first-hop router and sends it down the shared tree.
- ✓
First-hop router
Why this is correct
The source's DR unicasts the traffic to the RP.
- ✗
Last-hop router
Why it's wrong here
Last-hop router joins the shared tree for receivers.
- ✗
Source-specific router
Why it's wrong here
Not a standard PIM term.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
One of 984 original 350-601 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 by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.