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.
In a Cisco ACI fabric, the administrator notices that traffic between two endpoints in different EPGs but on the same leaf switch is being dropped when a contract is applied. The endpoints are in the same VRF but different bridge domains. What is the likely cause?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The contract does not allow communication between those EPGs.
In Cisco ACI, inter-EPG communication is governed by contracts. Even when endpoints reside on the same leaf switch, same VRF, and different bridge domains, traffic is dropped unless a contract explicitly permits the communication between the source and destination EPGs. The contract defines the filter (e.g., IP protocol, ports) and the direction (provider/consumer) required for traffic to flow.
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 VRF is not configured correctly.
Why it's wrong here
VRF configuration is correct if both are in same VRF.
✗
The bridge domains are not in the same network.
Why it's wrong here
Different bridge domains can still communicate if contract allows.
✗
The leaf switch is missing a route to the destination.
Why it's wrong here
Traffic is within the same leaf, so routing is not required.
✓
The contract does not allow communication between those EPGs.
Why this is correct
Contracts must explicitly permit inter-EPG 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 endpoints in the same VRF can always communicate, but in ACI, contracts override Layer 3 reachability, and candidates mistakenly blame routing or subnet mismatches instead of the missing contract.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACI enforces contracts at the leaf switch's hardware forwarding pipeline (using TCAM entries). When a contract is applied, the leaf installs policy-based ACLs that match the source EPG, destination EPG, and the contract's filters. If no contract exists, the leaf drops the packet at the ingress port, even if the destination MAC is local. This behavior is defined in the Cisco ACI Policy Model (RFC-like internal specification) and is independent of Layer 3 routing decisions.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
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.
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 contract does not allow communication between those EPGs. — In Cisco ACI, inter-EPG communication is governed by contracts. Even when endpoints reside on the same leaf switch, same VRF, and different bridge domains, traffic is dropped unless a contract explicitly permits the communication between the source and destination EPGs. The contract defines the filter (e.g., IP protocol, ports) and the direction (provider/consumer) required for traffic to flow.
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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Question Discussion
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