350-501 Architecture Practice Question
A service provider is designing a new MPLS core network and needs to choose a routing protocol that supports traffic engineering and fast convergence. Which protocol should be used?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the misconception that OSPF is the only link-state protocol suitable for MPLS TE, but the trap is that IS-IS is actually the more common choice in service provider cores due to its native TE support and superior scalability in hierarchical designs.
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
✓
IS-IS
IS-IS is the correct choice because it natively supports MPLS Traffic Engineering (TE) via IS-IS TE extensions (RFC 5305) and offers fast convergence through mechanisms like IS-IS Fast Flooding and LSP throttling. Unlike OSPF, IS-IS operates directly over Layer 2, making it more scalable and robust in large service provider core networks, and it avoids the need for a separate flooding domain for TE.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
RIP
Why it's wrong here
RIP is not suitable for large SP networks and lacks TE support.
- ✗
EIGRP
Why it's wrong here
EIGRP is a Cisco proprietary protocol not typically used in SP core networks.
- ✗
OSPF
Why it's wrong here
OSPF can be used but IS-IS is preferred for TE and scalability in SP cores.
- ✓
IS-IS
Why this is correct
IS-IS supports MPLS TE and provides fast convergence, making it ideal for SP core.
Visual reference
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every 350-501 question from scratch — 971 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.