The answer is EVPN’s support for IP routing and its all-active multihoming capability. Unlike traditional VPLS, which relies on a single active forwarder per site and wastes bandwidth by blocking redundant links via Spanning Tree Protocol, EVPN uses BGP to advertise both MAC addresses and IP prefixes. This enables per-flow load balancing across all active links, allowing every uplink to forward traffic simultaneously without loops. On the Cisco DCCOR / CCNP Data Center Core 350-601 exam, this distinction often appears as a two-answer multiple-choice question where one trap option is “MAC learning via flooding,” which VPLS also does. The key memory tip is “EVPN = IP + all-active,” while VPLS remains MAC-only with a single active forwarder.
350-601 Network Practice Question
This 350-601 practice question tests your understanding of network. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 two benefits does EVPN provide compared to traditional VPLS? (Choose two.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Load balancing of traffic across multiple active paths
EVPN uses BGP to advertise MAC addresses and IP prefixes, enabling per-flow load balancing across multiple equal-cost paths via its all-active multi-homing capability. In contrast, traditional VPLS relies on a single active forwarder per site (using Spanning Tree Protocol or VPLS Multihoming), which prevents active-active load balancing and wastes bandwidth.
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.
✗
Simpler BGP configuration
Why it's wrong here
EVPN requires complex BGP configuration with address families.
✓
Load balancing of traffic across multiple active paths
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Reduced MAC address learning
Why it's wrong here
Both EVPN and VPLS learn MAC addresses from the network.
✗
No need for MPLS
Why it's wrong here
EVPN can run over MPLS as well.
✓
Support for IP routing
Why this is correct
EVPN can advertise IP prefixes and integrate Layer 3 routing.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that EVPN simplifies BGP configuration or eliminates MPLS, when in fact EVPN requires more BGP knobs and still relies on an MPLS or VXLAN transport layer.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
EVPN's all-active multi-homing uses the DF (Designated Forwarder) election algorithm based on VLANIDs and a modulo operation to split traffic across multiple PEs, while VPLS typically uses a single DF per site via BGP VPLS or STP. In real-world data center fabrics, EVPN with VXLAN allows IP routing (option E) by integrating L2 and L3 services (e.g., IRB with anycast gateway), whereas VPLS is purely a Layer 2 VPN without native IP routing support.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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: Load balancing of traffic across multiple active paths — EVPN uses BGP to advertise MAC addresses and IP prefixes, enabling per-flow load balancing across multiple equal-cost paths via its all-active multi-homing capability. In contrast, traditional VPLS relies on a single active forwarder per site (using Spanning Tree Protocol or VPLS Multihoming), which prevents active-active load balancing and wastes bandwidth.
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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Question Discussion
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