350-501 MPLS and Segment Routing Practice Question
A network operator is configuring RSVP-TE tunnels for traffic engineering in an MPLS core. They want to enforce that the tunnel path strictly follows a predefined set of hops. Which explicit path option should be used?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between 'strict' and 'loose' explicit paths, where candidates may confuse 'exact' as a valid option or assume 'loose' provides the same strict enforcement.
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
✓
Strict
(Strict) is correct because RSVP-TE explicit paths with the 'strict' keyword require each hop in the path to be directly adjacent (connected) to the previous hop. This enforces that the tunnel path follows exactly the predefined set of hops without any intermediate routers being inserted, which is the requirement in the question.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Exact
Why it's wrong here
Exact is not a keyword; correct term is strict or loose.
- ✗
Loose
Why it's wrong here
Loose allows the path to include non-adjacent hops.
- ✓
Strict
Why this is correct
Strict explicit path requires each hop to be adjacent.
- ✗
Dynamic
Why it's wrong here
Dynamic path is computed by CSPF, not manually specified.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 350-501 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 350-501 exam.