350-601 Security Practice Question
Which control plane protection mechanism should be configured to limit the rate of BGP updates destined to the CPU of a Nexus 9000 switch to prevent CPU overload?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between data plane and control plane mechanisms, and the trap here is that candidates may confuse VACLs (data plane filtering) with CoPP (control plane policing), assuming any ACL can protect the CPU.
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
✓
Control Plane Policing (CoPP)
Control Plane Policing (CoPP) is the correct mechanism because it directly filters and rate-limits control plane traffic, such as BGP updates, before it reaches the CPU of a Nexus 9000 switch. By applying a CoPP policy, you can protect the CPU from being overwhelmed by excessive BGP updates, ensuring stability and preventing denial-of-service conditions.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
VLAN Access Control Lists (VACLs)
Why it's wrong here
VACLs filter data plane traffic, not control plane.
- ✓
Control Plane Policing (CoPP)
Why this is correct
CoPP rate-limits control plane packets.
- ✗
EtherChannel load balancing
Why it's wrong here
EtherChannel aggregates bandwidth, does not protect CPU from control plane floods.
- ✗
Switched Port Analyzer (SPAN)
Why it's wrong here
SPAN mirrors traffic for monitoring, not rate-limiting.
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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.