350-601 Network Practice Question
Which ECMP load-balancing method is recommended for data center spine-leaf fabrics to ensure optimal traffic distribution?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the misconception that per-packet load balancing is more granular and therefore better for distribution, but the trap is that it ignores the critical requirement of packet ordering for TCP performance, making per-flow the only viable choice for production data center fabrics.
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
✓
Per-flow load balancing based on src-dst IP
Per-flow load balancing based on src-dst IP ensures that all packets belonging to the same flow (identified by source and destination IP addresses) follow the same path, preventing packet reordering while still distributing different flows across multiple equal-cost paths. In spine-leaf fabrics, this method provides optimal traffic distribution because it leverages the IP header information that is consistently available across Layer 3 boundaries, aligning with the fabric's routing-based forwarding model.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Per-flow load balancing based on src-dst IP
Why this is correct
This ensures packets of the same flow take the same path.
- ✗
Per-packet load balancing
Why it's wrong here
Per-packet can cause out-of-order packets.
- ✗
Weighted load balancing
Why it's wrong here
Weighted is used for unequal links, not typical in fabric.
- ✗
Per-flow load balancing based on src-dst MAC
Why it's wrong here
MAC-based may not be as granular as IP.
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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.