- A
Must use the same IP subnet as peer-link
Why wrong: Keepalive uses separate IPs, often in management VRF.
- B
Must be a Layer 3 interface with unique VRF
Recommended to use a dedicated VRF for keepalive.
- C
Must be a direct Layer 2 connection
Why wrong: Keepalive is Layer 3 and can be routed.
- D
Must be in the same VLAN as peer-link
Why wrong: Keepalive uses Layer 3, not Layer 2.
Question 477 of 1,000
350-601 Network Practice Question
This 350-601 practice question tests your understanding of network. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.
Which of the following is a requirement for VPC peer keepalive to function correctly?
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
✓
Must be a Layer 3 interface with unique VRF
VPC peer keepalive requires a Layer 3 interface with a unique VRF to ensure that keepalive messages are sent over a dedicated, isolated path that is independent of the peer-link. This prevents the keepalive from being disrupted by issues on the peer-link and allows the VPC peers to detect failures even when the peer-link is down. The keepalive uses UDP port 3200 and must be routed through a separate VRF to avoid conflicts with the management or default routing tables.
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.
- ✗
Must use the same IP subnet as peer-link
Why it's wrong here
Keepalive uses separate IPs, often in management VRF.
- ✓
Must be a Layer 3 interface with unique VRF
Why this is correct
Recommended to use a dedicated VRF for keepalive.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Must be a direct Layer 2 connection
Why it's wrong here
Keepalive is Layer 3 and can be routed.
- ✗
Must be in the same VLAN as peer-link
Why it's wrong here
Keepalive uses Layer 3, not Layer 2.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that VPC peer keepalive must be a direct Layer 2 connection or share the same subnet as the peer-link, when in fact it requires a Layer 3 interface with a unique VRF to ensure fault isolation.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, VPC peer keepalive uses a dedicated VRF (often named 'keepalive') to ensure that the keepalive packets are forwarded via a separate routing table, typically over a management or out-of-band network. The keepalive interface is configured with an IP address in a unique subnet, and the peer's keepalive IP is specified in the VPC domain configuration. In real-world scenarios, this design prevents split-brain scenarios where both VPC peers assume the other is dead due to peer-link failure, as the keepalive continues to function over the isolated path.
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?
Network — This question tests Network — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Must be a Layer 3 interface with unique VRF — VPC peer keepalive requires a Layer 3 interface with a unique VRF to ensure that keepalive messages are sent over a dedicated, isolated path that is independent of the peer-link. This prevents the keepalive from being disrupted by issues on the peer-link and allows the VPC peers to detect failures even when the peer-link is down. The keepalive uses UDP port 3200 and must be routed through a separate VRF to avoid conflicts with the management or default routing tables.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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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