- A
Configure BGP prefix-independent convergence (PIC) on all PE routers.
Why wrong: BGP PIC improves convergence speed after a failure but does not minimize the impact of an RR failure causing route withdrawals.
- B
Implement BGP add-paths capability on RRs to advertise multiple paths to clients.
Why wrong: Add-paths allows advertising multiple paths for the same prefix, but if the RR fails, those paths are lost anyway.
- C
Deploy redundant RRs with the same cluster ID and use the 'bgp cluster-id' command to ensure clients only accept routes from one RR at a time.
Why wrong: Same cluster ID causes clients to prefer one RR; if that RR fails, routes from the other may not be accepted until the failing RR withdraws.
- D
Configure client-to-client reflection on the RRs and ensure that each PE is a client of at least two RRs.
This provides redundancy; clients receive routes from multiple RRs, and if one RR fails, routes are still available via the other.
Quick Answer
The correct action is to configure client-to-client reflection on the RRs and ensure each PE is a client of at least two RRs. This approach directly addresses BGP Route Reflector redundancy by allowing the surviving RR to continue reflecting routes among its clients when one RR flaps, preventing mass route withdrawals. In a large MPLS L3VPN network, client-to-client reflection enables RRs to share learned routes without requiring a full mesh, while dual-homing each PE to multiple RRs ensures that a single RR failure does not isolate clients from the control plane. On the Cisco SPCOR 350-501 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of BGP scalability and high availability—common traps include confusing this with BGP PIC (which speeds convergence but doesn’t prevent withdrawal impact) or add-paths (which increases path diversity but not redundancy). A useful memory tip: “Two RRs with reflection keep the connection in the right direction.”
350-501 Architecture Practice Question
This 350-501 practice question tests your understanding of architecture. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
A large service provider operates an MPLS L3VPN network with multiple Route Reflectors (RRs) in the core. The network uses BGP as the control plane for both IPv4 unicast and VPNv4 routes. Recently, one of the RRs started flapping, causing route withdrawals to many clients. The network architect wants to improve stability. The RRs are fully meshed with each other and clients are configured as route-reflector clients. The RRs have both IPv4 and VPNv4 address families enabled. Which action should be taken to minimize the impact of an RR failure?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"minimum / minimize"Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
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
Configure client-to-client reflection on the RRs and ensure that each PE is a client of at least two RRs.
Configuring client-to-client reflection on the RRs and ensuring each PE is a client of at least two RRs provides redundancy; if one RR fails, routes are still available via the other RR. BGP PIC helps fast failover but does not prevent route withdrawal impact; add-paths increases paths but not redundancy; same cluster ID reduces redundancy.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Configure BGP prefix-independent convergence (PIC) on all PE routers.
Why it's wrong here
BGP PIC improves convergence speed after a failure but does not minimize the impact of an RR failure causing route withdrawals.
- ✗
Implement BGP add-paths capability on RRs to advertise multiple paths to clients.
Why it's wrong here
Add-paths allows advertising multiple paths for the same prefix, but if the RR fails, those paths are lost anyway.
- ✗
Deploy redundant RRs with the same cluster ID and use the 'bgp cluster-id' command to ensure clients only accept routes from one RR at a time.
Why it's wrong here
Same cluster ID causes clients to prefer one RR; if that RR fails, routes from the other may not be accepted until the failing RR withdraws.
- ✓
Configure client-to-client reflection on the RRs and ensure that each PE is a client of at least two RRs.
Why this is correct
This provides redundancy; clients receive routes from multiple RRs, and if one RR fails, routes are still available via the other.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
- Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
- NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
- Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
- Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
- Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 350-501 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 350-501 question test?
Architecture — This question tests Architecture — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure client-to-client reflection on the RRs and ensure that each PE is a client of at least two RRs. — Configuring client-to-client reflection on the RRs and ensuring each PE is a client of at least two RRs provides redundancy; if one RR fails, routes are still available via the other RR. BGP PIC helps fast failover but does not prevent route withdrawal impact; add-paths increases paths but not redundancy; same cluster ID reduces redundancy.
What should I do if I get this 350-501 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 350-501 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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