350-501 Architecture Practice Question
A service provider is designing a BGP-based network. Which TWO are characteristics of BGP within a service provider core?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the misconception that iBGP uses the AS path for loop prevention, but in reality, iBGP relies on the split-horizon rule and attributes like originator ID and cluster list, while the AS path is only used for eBGP loop prevention.
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
✓
IBGP sessions require a full mesh or route reflectors to avoid routing loops
IBGP requires either a full mesh of sessions or route reflectors to prevent routing loops. The BGP split-horizon rule states that routes learned from an iBGP peer are not advertised to another iBGP peer, so without a full mesh or route reflectors, reachability information cannot propagate within the AS. Route reflectors break this rule by allowing selected iBGP speakers to re-advertise routes, but they must be deployed with proper cluster and originator ID attributes to avoid loops.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
IBGP sessions require a full mesh or route reflectors to avoid routing loops
Why this is correct
iBGP does not advertise routes learned from another iBGP peer to prevent loops; thus full mesh or RR is needed.
- ✗
BGP MED attribute is mandatory for all routes
Why it's wrong here
MED is optional.
- ✗
BGP uses the AS path for loop prevention in iBGP
Why it's wrong here
AS path is used in eBGP; iBGP uses the originator_id and cluster_list for loop prevention.
- ✗
BGP route reflectors always modify the AS path
Why it's wrong here
Route reflectors do not modify the AS path.
- ✓
BGP relies on an IGP for next-hop reachability within the AS
Why this is correct
BGP next-hop must be reachable via IGP; otherwise, routes are not installed.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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