The answer is that the route from the other peer was received with a higher weight, because BGP path selection checks weight first before local preference. Even though local preference is a well-known mandatory attribute used to influence outbound traffic from an AS, weight is a Cisco proprietary attribute that takes absolute precedence in the decision process. If one route has a weight of 200 and another has a weight of 0, the route with weight 200 will always be preferred, regardless of local preference values. On the Cisco SPCOR / CCNP Service Provider Core 350-501 exam, this question tests your understanding of the BGP best-path selection algorithm order, where weight is the very first comparison step. A common trap is assuming local preference is the most influential attribute, but weight overrides it entirely. To remember this, use the mnemonic "We Love Oranges AS Oranges" — Weight, Local Preference, Originate, AS Path, Origin, MED, and so on.
350-501 Networking Practice Question
This 350-501 practice question tests your understanding of networking. 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 network operator wants to prefer a specific BGP route from a peer for a prefix. After applying a route-map to set local preference to 200, the route is still not preferred over a route from another peer with local preference 150. What could be the issue?
Correct. Weight is considered before local preference, so a higher weight overrides a lower local preference.
B
The neighbor address-family is not correct.
Why wrong: Incorrect. If the address-family were incorrect, the route would not be received at all.
C
The route-map was applied on the wrong BGP neighbor direction.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Direction typically affects whether the route-map is used for incoming or outgoing updates, but local preference set inbound from an EBGP peer is valid.
D
The route is received via an IBGP session.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Local preference is propagated within IBGP and is compared equally.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The prefix was received with a higher weight.
Option D is correct because BGP path selection checks weight first. If the other route has a higher weight (Cisco proprietary), it will be preferred regardless of local preference. Option A is incorrect because even if applied incorrectly, local preference would still take effect from internal peers. Option B is plausible but less likely; address-family mismatch would prevent route exchange entirely. Option C is incorrect because local preference is compared among all received routes.
Key principle: OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
The prefix was received with a higher weight.
Why this is correct
Correct. Weight is considered before local preference, so a higher weight overrides a lower local preference.
Incorrect. If the address-family were incorrect, the route would not be received at all.
✗
The route-map was applied on the wrong BGP neighbor direction.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Direction typically affects whether the route-map is used for incoming or outgoing updates, but local preference set inbound from an EBGP peer is valid.
✗
The route is received via an IBGP session.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Local preference is propagated within IBGP and is compared equally.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: OSPF can fail even when IP connectivity looks correct
OSPF neighbour formation depends on matching areas, timers, network type, authentication and passive-interface behaviour. Do not choose an answer only because the devices can ping.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
OSPF questions usually test the details that control adjacency and route selection. Read the neighbour state, area, router ID and interface configuration before deciding what is wrong.
KKey Concepts to Remember
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
Router ID selection can affect neighbour relationships and LSDB output.
OSPF cost influences the preferred path.
A route can appear in OSPF information but not become the installed route.
TExam Day Tips
→Check area mismatch first when OSPF adjacency fails.
→Review passive interfaces when a network is advertised but no neighbour forms.
→Use show ip ospf neighbor and show ip route clues carefully.
Key takeaway
OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A network engineer at a university connects two campus buildings via a fibre link. Both routers run OSPF, but no adjacency forms — even though both routers can ping each other. The engineer finds one router is in area 0 and the other in area 1. OSPF adjacency requires matching area numbers, hello/dead timers, and network type. IP reachability alone is not enough.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related 350-501 OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
Networking — This question tests Networking — OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The prefix was received with a higher weight. — Option D is correct because BGP path selection checks weight first. If the other route has a higher weight (Cisco proprietary), it will be preferred regardless of local preference. Option A is incorrect because even if applied incorrectly, local preference would still take effect from internal peers. Option B is plausible but less likely; address-family mismatch would prevent route exchange entirely. Option C is incorrect because local preference is compared among all received routes.
What should I do if I get this 350-501 question wrong?
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related 350-501 OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
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