The correct action is to configure BGP additional-paths for the VRF and adjust the route policy to allow multiple paths. This resolves the issue because PE1 is receiving BGP VPNv4 routes with a higher local preference, but the existing route policy selects only the best path, causing a tie-break in BGP path selection that prevents valid alternative routes from being installed in the VRF. By enabling additional-path send/receive capability and modifying the policy to permit multiple paths, the router can install all valid routes, overcoming the default single-path limitation. On the Cisco SPCOR 350-501 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how BGP additional-path interacts with VRF route installation, a common trap where candidates mistakenly focus on route-target misconfiguration or import policies. Remember the key insight: additional-path capability alone is insufficient—the route policy must explicitly allow multiple paths into the VRF. A useful memory tip is “Add the path, then allow the path.”
350-501 Services Practice Question
This 350-501 practice question tests your understanding of services. 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 service provider has a network with multiple PE routers providing MPLS L3VPN services. Customers are complaining that some remote sites are unreachable after a recent software upgrade on PE1. Upon investigation, you notice that PE1 is receiving BGP VPNv4 routes from the route reflector, but some routes are not being installed in the VRF routing table. PE1 is configured with BGP additional-path capability and has a route policy that selects only the best path. The VRF on PE1 has import and export route targets configured correctly. The missing routes have a higher local preference but are not selected due to a tie-break in BGP path selection. Which action should be taken to ensure that all valid routes are installed in the VRF?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Configure BGP additional-paths for the VRF and adjust the route policy to allow multiple paths.
B is correct because the issue is that PE1 is configured with BGP additional-path capability but has a route policy that selects only the best path. When BGP path selection ties on local preference and other attributes, additional-path send/receive capability allows multiple paths to be considered, but the route policy must be adjusted to permit multiple paths into the VRF. Without this, only the single best path is installed, even if valid alternative paths exist.
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.
✗
Reset the BGP session between PE1 and the route reflector.
Why it's wrong here
Resetting the session does not change path selection logic.
✓
Configure BGP additional-paths for the VRF and adjust the route policy to allow multiple paths.
Why this is correct
Additional-paths allows multiple BGP paths to be installed in the VRF.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Disable route target filtering on PE1 to import all routes.
Why it's wrong here
Disabling RT filtering would import routes from other VRFs, breaking isolation.
✗
Increase the local preference on the route reflector for the missing routes.
Why it's wrong here
Local preference is already higher; the issue is that only one path is selected.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between enabling BGP additional-path capability globally and actually configuring the VRF to accept multiple paths; candidates mistakenly think that enabling additional-path alone is sufficient, but the route policy must be adjusted to allow multiple paths into the VRF routing table.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
BGP additional-path capability (RFC 7911) allows a router to advertise and receive multiple paths for the same prefix, which is essential in MPLS L3VPN environments where route reflectors distribute VPNv4 routes. However, the VRF's route policy must explicitly allow multiple paths (e.g., using 'maximum-paths' or 'additional-paths receive' under the VRF address-family) to install more than one path into the routing table. Without this, even if additional-path is enabled globally, the VRF will only use the single best path per BGP selection rules, leading to unreachable remote sites when the best path fails.
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.
Services — This question tests Services — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure BGP additional-paths for the VRF and adjust the route policy to allow multiple paths. — B is correct because the issue is that PE1 is configured with BGP additional-path capability but has a route policy that selects only the best path. When BGP path selection ties on local preference and other attributes, additional-path send/receive capability allows multiple paths to be considered, but the route policy must be adjusted to permit multiple paths into the VRF. Without this, only the single best path is installed, even if valid alternative paths exist.
What should I do if I get this 350-501 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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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