Quick Answer
The correct answer is the L2VPN EVPN address family and the IPv4 unicast address family. The L2VPN EVPN address family is mandatory because BGP EVPN uses MP-BGP to advertise MAC addresses and VXLAN VNI mappings between spine route reflectors and leaf switches, forming the EVPN control plane in a VXLAN fabric. The IPv4 unicast address family is also required on the spine route reflector to exchange loopback reachability and underlay routing information, which is essential for establishing BGP sessions and VXLAN tunnel endpoints. On the Cisco DCCOR 350-601 exam, this question tests your understanding of the spine’s role as a route reflector in a VXLAN EVPN fabric, where a common trap is forgetting the IPv4 unicast family because the focus is often only on the EVPN overlay. Remember the memory tip: “Underlay first, overlay second”—the IPv4 unicast family handles the underlay reachability, while L2VPN EVPN handles the overlay MAC/VXLAN routes.
This 350-601 practice question tests your understanding of network. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
When configuring BGP EVPN on spine switches functioning as route reflectors, which two address families must be configured? (Choose two.)
address-family link-state
Why wrong: Link-state is not a standard BGP address family for this context.
address-family l2vpn evpn
Required for EVPN route exchange.
address-family ipv6 unicast
Why wrong: Not required unless IPv6 underlay is used.
address-family vpnv4
Why wrong: vpnv4 is for MPLS Layer 3 VPNs, not VXLAN EVPN.
address-family ipv4 unicast
Needed for underlay routing (e.g., loopback reachability).
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
address-family l2vpn evpn
B is correct because BGP EVPN (Ethernet VPN) uses the L2VPN address family (l2vpn evpn) to carry MAC/VXLAN routing information between spine and leaf switches. This address family is mandatory for EVPN control plane operation in a VXLAN fabric, enabling MAC address learning and advertisement via MP-BGP.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
address-family link-state
Why it's wrong here
Link-state is not a standard BGP address family for this context.
address-family l2vpn evpn
Why this is correct
Required for EVPN route exchange.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
address-family ipv6 unicast
Why it's wrong here
Not required unless IPv6 underlay is used.
address-family vpnv4
Why it's wrong here
vpnv4 is for MPLS Layer 3 VPNs, not VXLAN EVPN.
address-family ipv4 unicast
Why this is correct
Needed for underlay routing (e.g., loopback reachability).
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Cisco often tests the misconception that only the EVPN address family is needed, but the ipv4 unicast family is also required on the route reflector to advertise the underlay loopback routes that serve as VXLAN tunnel endpoints.
Detailed technical explanation
In a BGP EVPN spine-and-leaf fabric, the spine route reflector must activate both 'address-family ipv4 unicast' (for underlay reachability, e.g., loopback routes) and 'address-family l2vpn evpn' (for overlay MAC/VXLAN routes). The EVPN NLRI is carried in MP-BGP with AFI 25 (L2VPN) and SAFI 70 (EVPN), as defined in RFC 7432. Without the ipv4 unicast family, the spine cannot propagate the underlay next-hop addresses needed for VXLAN tunnel endpoints.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the 350-601 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Network — This question tests Network — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: address-family l2vpn evpn — B is correct because BGP EVPN (Ethernet VPN) uses the L2VPN address family (l2vpn evpn) to carry MAC/VXLAN routing information between spine and leaf switches. This address family is mandatory for EVPN control plane operation in a VXLAN fabric, enabling MAC address learning and advertisement via MP-BGP.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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.
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