ACI Contract Scope VRF
An organization is deploying a new ACI fabric. The design requires that traffic between EPGs in the same bridge domain be allowed by default, but traffic between EPGs in different bridge domains must be denied unless explicitly permitted. Which contract scope configuration meets this requirement?
Quick Answer
The answer is VRF. In Cisco ACI, contract scope defines the boundary within which a contract is effective, and setting it to VRF (private L3 context) means the contract applies only to EPGs residing in the same VRF. Since EPGs in different bridge domains are typically within the same VRF, traffic between them is denied by default unless an explicit contract is applied, while intra-bridge domain traffic between EPGs remains permitted by default due to ACI’s default forwarding behavior. On the Cisco DCCOR 350-601 exam, this concept tests your understanding of how contract scope interacts with the VRF boundary to control inter-EPG traffic—a common trap is confusing global or tenant scope, which would inadvertently allow traffic across VRFs. Remember: VRF scope locks contracts to the private L3 context, so if EPGs need to talk across bridge domains but stay within the same VRF, you must write a contract; otherwise, they stay isolated. A useful memory tip is “VRF is the fence—crossing bridge domains needs a key.”
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the misconception that 'context' is a separate scope option, when in fact the default contract scope is VRF (context), and the exam expects you to know that VRF is the correct term for the private L3 network boundary that enforces the deny-by-default inter-EPG behavior.
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
✓
VRF
The VRF (private L3 context) is the correct scope because contract scope determines the boundary within which a contract is effective. By setting the contract scope to VRF, the contract applies only to EPGs within the same VRF. Since EPGs in different bridge domains are typically in the same VRF, you must explicitly configure contracts to permit inter-EPG traffic; otherwise, it is denied by default. This matches the requirement that traffic between EPGs in the same bridge domain is allowed by default (via the default intra-EPG and intra-bridge domain forwarding), while traffic between EPGs in different bridge domains requires an explicit contract.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Context (default)
Why it's wrong here
Context scope restricts contract application to EPGs within the same bridge domain; cross-bridge-domain traffic would be denied regardless of contract.
- ✗
Application-profile
Why it's wrong here
Application-profile is not a valid contract scope in ACI.
- ✗
Global
Why it's wrong here
Global scope would allow contracts to apply across VRFs, which is too permissive and not typically recommended.
- ✓
VRF
Why this is correct
VRF scope allows contracts to apply across bridge domains within the same VRF; without a contract, traffic is denied, and with a contract, permitted.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on 350-601
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. 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?
medium- ✓ A.The default behavior in ACI allows communication between EPGs in the same bridge domain without a contract
- B.The contract is applied but not enforced due to a configuration error
- C.The VRF has a default route that bypasses contract enforcement
- D.A preferred group contract is applied to the VRF
Why A: 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.
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.