350-601 Network Practice Question
In a VXLAN EVPN multi-tier design, which feature ensures traffic between leaf switches takes the optimal path without hair-pinning through a spine?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the misconception that Anycast Gateway or ARP suppression directly influences inter-leaf forwarding paths, when in fact ECMP is the mechanism that enables optimal multi-path routing in the underlay to avoid hair-pinning.
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
✓
ECMP
C is correct because Equal-Cost Multipath (ECMP) in a VXLAN EVPN multi-tier design allows leaf switches to load-balance traffic across multiple equal-cost spine paths, ensuring that traffic between leaf switches takes the most direct route without being forced to hair-pin through a spine. ECMP leverages the underlying IP fabric's routing to forward VXLAN-encapsulated packets over any available spine, avoiding suboptimal forwarding that would occur if a single spine were used as a relay.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Anycast gateway
Why it's wrong here
Anycast gateway provides default gateway, not optimal leaf-to-leaf path.
- ✗
Type-2 routes
Why it's wrong here
Type-2 routes advertise MAC/IP but do not affect path selection.
- ✓
ECMP
Why this is correct
ECMP enables load distribution across multiple spines, avoiding hair-pinning.
- ✗
ARP suppression
Why it's wrong here
ARP suppression reduces broadcast but does not optimize forwarding.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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