350-501 Architecture Practice Question
A service provider is designing its core network to carry both IPv4 and IPv6 traffic. Which BGP approach best minimizes routing table size on core routers while maintaining full reachability?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the misconception that eBGP reduces routing table size compared to iBGP, but the trap here is that eBGP does not inherently reduce prefix count; it only changes the administrative distance and path selection behavior, while iBGP with route reflectors directly reduces the number of sessions and control-plane load.
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
✓
Use iBGP with route reflectors
iBGP with route reflectors minimizes the number of BGP sessions required in the core network, reducing routing table size and control-plane overhead while still maintaining full IPv4 and IPv6 reachability. Route reflectors allow iBGP speakers to advertise routes learned from other iBGP peers without requiring a full mesh, which is essential for scalability in large service provider cores.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Use iBGP with route reflectors
Why this is correct
Reduces BGP sessions and maintains full reachability efficiently.
- ✗
Use eBGP between all core routers
Why it's wrong here
eBGP full mesh creates high session count and administrative overhead.
- ✗
Use static routing for all prefixes
Why it's wrong here
Static routing does not scale for full internet routing tables.
- ✗
Rely on OSPF for external routes
Why it's wrong here
OSPF is an IGP and not designed to carry external BGP routes.
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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.