350-501 Architecture Practice Question
A service provider is implementing MPLS TE to optimize bandwidth utilization. The engineer notices that tunnels are not using the explicitly configured path. What is the most likely reason?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the misconception that 'autoroute announce' or IGP reachability issues cause path selection problems, when in fact the explicit path failure is due to a down link in the path itself, which is a fundamental RSVP signaling constraint.
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
✓
The explicit path contains a link that is down
When an MPLS TE tunnel is configured with an explicit path, the headend router uses RSVP to signal the path and verify that all links in the path are operational. If any link in the explicit path is down, RSVP signaling fails for that path, and the tunnel may fall back to dynamic path computation or remain down, rather than using the explicitly configured path. This is the most common reason for a tunnel not using its explicit path.
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 explicit path contains a link that is down
Why this is correct
Causes path to be invalid, tunnel may use dynamic or stay down.
- ✗
RSVP is not enabled on the headend
Why it's wrong here
Without RSVP, tunnel would not come up at all.
- ✗
The tunnel destination is not reachable via IGP
Why it's wrong here
That would prevent tunnel setup regardless of path.
- ✗
The tunnel is configured with 'autoroute announce'
Why it's wrong here
That affects routing, not path selection.
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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.