350-501 Architecture Practice Question
A network operator is deploying segment routing in an MPLS network. They want to use a centralized controller to compute paths based on traffic demand and network constraints. Which architecture is being used?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between the overall traffic engineering mechanism (SR-TE) and the specific centralized controller architecture (SR-PCE), leading candidates to pick SR-TE when the question explicitly mentions a 'centralized controller' for path computation.
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
✓
Segment Routing Path Computation Element (SR-PCE)
The scenario describes a centralized controller computing paths based on traffic demand and network constraints, which is the definition of a Path Computation Element (PCE) architecture. In Segment Routing, the SR-PCE (Segment Routing Path Computation Element) is the centralized controller that calculates optimal paths using traffic engineering constraints and then communicates the path information (via PCEP) to the headend router. This is distinct from distributed control plane approaches like LDP or SR-BE, and from SR-TE which is the overall traffic engineering mechanism but not the specific centralized controller architecture.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
LDP-based MPLS
Why it's wrong here
LDP is distributed, not centralized.
- ✗
Segment Routing Traffic Engineering (SR-TE)
Why it's wrong here
SR-TE can use a controller but is not specifically an architecture name.
- ✓
Segment Routing Path Computation Element (SR-PCE)
Why this is correct
SR-PCE is a centralized controller for path computation.
- ✗
Segment Routing Best Effort (SR-BE)
Why it's wrong here
SR-BE does not use a centralized controller.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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