- A
The internal EPG is the provider and the external EPG is the consumer.
Why wrong: That would allow internal to external, not external to internal.
- B
Both EPGs are providers.
Why wrong: Contracts have one provider and one consumer.
- C
Both EPGs are consumers.
Why wrong: A contract requires a provider.
- D
The external EPG is the provider and the internal EPG is the consumer.
Correct direction for inbound traffic.
Question 155 of 1,000
350-601 Network Practice Question
This 350-601 practice question tests your understanding of network. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 network engineer is configuring an ACI contract between an EPG and an external EPG. Which construct is used to permit traffic from the external EPG to the internal EPG?
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 external EPG is the provider and the internal EPG is the consumer.
In Cisco ACI, the provider EPG exposes a contract, and the consumer EPG consumes it. To permit traffic from an external EPG to an internal EPG, the internal EPG must be the consumer (initiating the communication) and the external EPG must be the provider (offering the contract). This aligns with the default directionality of contracts, where the provider's filter rules allow inbound traffic from the consumer.
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 internal EPG is the provider and the external EPG is the consumer.
Why it's wrong here
That would allow internal to external, not external to internal.
- ✗
Both EPGs are providers.
Why it's wrong here
Contracts have one provider and one consumer.
- ✗
Both EPGs are consumers.
Why it's wrong here
A contract requires a provider.
- ✓
The external EPG is the provider and the internal EPG is the consumer.
Why this is correct
Correct direction for inbound traffic.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that the provider is always the server or internal resource, but in ACI, the provider is the entity that offers the contract and defines the traffic direction, which can be the external EPG when allowing inbound traffic.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, ACI contracts use a provider/consumer model where the provider's filters (applied via the contract's subject and filter entries) define which traffic is permitted from the consumer to the provider. In the context of an external EPG (e.g., L3Out), the contract is typically applied to the external EPG as the provider, allowing the internal EPG (consumer) to receive traffic from outside. This is analogous to a firewall rule where the external zone is the source and the internal zone is the destination.
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 security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.
Visual reference
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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 external EPG is the provider and the internal EPG is the consumer. — In Cisco ACI, the provider EPG exposes a contract, and the consumer EPG consumes it. To permit traffic from an external EPG to an internal EPG, the internal EPG must be the consumer (initiating the communication) and the external EPG must be the provider (offering the contract). This aligns with the default directionality of contracts, where the provider's filter rules allow inbound traffic from the consumer.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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