- A
The access-list permits all, so the VACL should work; perhaps the access-map is missing a default action.
Why wrong: The access-map has action forward, so it permits when matched. Default action is drop, but the ACL matches all, so it should forward. Not the likely cause.
- B
The 'vlan filter' command is applied to VLAN 10 only, but the access-map is misconfigured.
Why wrong: The configuration appears correct; the issue is not the VACL configuration itself but its applicability.
- C
The VACL is applied only to VLAN 10, so traffic from VLAN 20 to VLAN 10 is not filtered, but this should not cause a failure.
Why wrong: While true that the VACL is only on VLAN 10, the issue is that VACLs do not filter routed traffic, so this is not the root cause.
- D
The VACL does not apply to traffic routed through the SVI; a Router ACL (RACL) must be used instead.
Correct. VACLs are only for Layer 2 bridging. For inter-VLAN routing, apply a RACL on the SVI interface.
Quick Answer
The answer is that the VACL does not apply to traffic routed through the SVI; a Router ACL (RACL) must be used instead. VACLs filter traffic at the ingress of a VLAN but only inspect frames that are bridged within the same VLAN, not packets that are routed between VLANs. When inter-VLAN routing occurs, traffic passes through the Switch Virtual Interface (SVI), where a RACL must be applied to control routed traffic. On the Cisco DCCOR / CCNP Data Center Core 350-601 exam, this distinction tests your understanding of where VACL and RACL operate in the data path—a common trap is assuming a VACL blocks all traffic entering a VLAN, when it actually bypasses routed flows. Remember the memory tip: VACL for bridge, RACL for route.
350-601 Security Practice Question
This 350-601 practice question tests your understanding of security. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 troubleshooting inter-VLAN routing on a Cisco Nexus 9000 switch. The switch is configured with VLAN 10 and VLAN 20. Hosts in VLAN 10 cannot ping hosts in VLAN 20. The engineer checks the VLAN ACL (VACL) applied to VLAN 10 and finds the following configuration:
ip access-list VACL-FILTER 10 permit ip any any
...
vlan access-map VACL-MAP 10
match ip address VACL-FILTER action forward
vlan filter VACL-MAP vlan-list 10
What is the most likely reason for the connectivity failure?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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 VACL does not apply to traffic routed through the SVI; a Router ACL (RACL) must be used instead.
VACLs filter traffic at the ingress of a VLAN, but they only apply to traffic that is bridged within the same VLAN. When traffic is routed between VLANs (inter-VLAN routing), it passes through the SVI (Switch Virtual Interface), and VACLs do not inspect routed traffic. To filter inter-VLAN routed traffic, a Router ACL (RACL) must be applied to the SVI. Since the hosts in VLAN 10 cannot ping VLAN 20, the VACL on VLAN 10 is not blocking the traffic; rather, the traffic is being routed and is not subject to the VACL, so the failure is likely due to a missing or misconfigured RACL or routing issue.
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 access-list permits all, so the VACL should work; perhaps the access-map is missing a default action.
Why it's wrong here
The access-map has action forward, so it permits when matched. Default action is drop, but the ACL matches all, so it should forward. Not the likely cause.
- ✗
The 'vlan filter' command is applied to VLAN 10 only, but the access-map is misconfigured.
Why it's wrong here
The configuration appears correct; the issue is not the VACL configuration itself but its applicability.
- ✗
The VACL is applied only to VLAN 10, so traffic from VLAN 20 to VLAN 10 is not filtered, but this should not cause a failure.
Why it's wrong here
While true that the VACL is only on VLAN 10, the issue is that VACLs do not filter routed traffic, so this is not the root cause.
- ✓
The VACL does not apply to traffic routed through the SVI; a Router ACL (RACL) must be used instead.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume VACLs can filter all traffic within a VLAN, including traffic that is routed to another VLAN, but Cisco specifically tests that VACLs only apply to bridged traffic, not to traffic that is routed through an SVI.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
On Cisco Nexus switches, VACLs operate at Layer 2 and are applied to VLANs to filter traffic that is bridged within the VLAN. When a packet is routed between VLANs via an SVI, the VACL is bypassed because the routing decision occurs at Layer 3. To control inter-VLAN traffic, a RACL must be applied to the SVI interface (e.g., 'ip access-group RACL-OUT out' on the SVI). A common real-world scenario is when an engineer applies a VACL to block traffic between VLANs, only to find it ineffective because the traffic is routed; this often leads to troubleshooting confusion unless the distinction between bridged and routed traffic is understood.
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 help-desk technician troubleshoots why a newly connected PC cannot reach shared printers on the same floor. The cable is good, the switch port is active, but the PC is in VLAN 20 and the printers are in VLAN 10. The uplink trunk only allows VLAN 10. A trunk being up does not mean every VLAN crosses it.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 350-601 question test?
Security — This question tests Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The VACL does not apply to traffic routed through the SVI; a Router ACL (RACL) must be used instead. — VACLs filter traffic at the ingress of a VLAN, but they only apply to traffic that is bridged within the same VLAN. When traffic is routed between VLANs (inter-VLAN routing), it passes through the SVI (Switch Virtual Interface), and VACLs do not inspect routed traffic. To filter inter-VLAN routed traffic, a Router ACL (RACL) must be applied to the SVI. Since the hosts in VLAN 10 cannot ping VLAN 20, the VACL on VLAN 10 is not blocking the traffic; rather, the traffic is being routed and is not subject to the VACL, so the failure is likely due to a missing or misconfigured RACL or routing issue.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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