- A
Rapid PVST+
Rapid PVST+ runs a separate RSTP instance per VLAN.
- B
MST
Why wrong: MST uses multiple instances but not necessarily per-VLAN.
- C
RSTP
Why wrong: RSTP is fast but single-instance.
- D
STP
Why wrong: Classic STP is slow and does not support per-VLAN.
Question 17 of 1,000
350-601 Network Practice Question
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.
Which STP variant provides per-VLAN load balancing and is commonly used in data center networks with Cisco Nexus switches?
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
✓
Rapid PVST+
Rapid PVST+ (Per-VLAN Spanning Tree Plus) is the correct answer because it provides per-VLAN load balancing by running a separate instance of RSTP (802.1w) for each VLAN. This allows different VLANs to use different root bridges and forwarding paths, enabling traffic load sharing across redundant links. Cisco Nexus switches support Rapid PVST+ as a default or commonly configured STP variant in data center environments, offering fast convergence and VLAN-based traffic engineering.
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.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between per-VLAN (Rapid PVST+) and per-instance (MST) load balancing, where candidates mistakenly choose MST because it reduces STP instances, but the question explicitly asks for per-VLAN load balancing, which only Rapid PVST+ provides.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Rapid PVST+ is Cisco's proprietary enhancement of RSTP that creates a separate spanning tree instance for each active VLAN, using BPDUs tagged with the VLAN ID (802.1Q). This allows network engineers to manually set different root bridges per VLAN (e.g., using the 'spanning-tree vlan <vlan-id> root primary' command), enabling active-active link utilization across trunks. In a data center leaf-spine topology, this can prevent one uplink from being blocked while another is overloaded, but it increases CPU overhead proportional to the number of VLANs, which is a consideration in large-scale deployments.
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.
Visual reference
What to study next
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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: Rapid PVST+ — Rapid PVST+ (Per-VLAN Spanning Tree Plus) is the correct answer because it provides per-VLAN load balancing by running a separate instance of RSTP (802.1w) for each VLAN. This allows different VLANs to use different root bridges and forwarding paths, enabling traffic load sharing across redundant links. Cisco Nexus switches support Rapid PVST+ as a default or commonly configured STP variant in data center environments, offering fast convergence and VLAN-based traffic engineering.
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.
About these practice questions
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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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