350-501 Services Practice Question
A service provider is implementing QoS policies on an access aggregation router. They want to shape traffic to a downstream DSLAM to 10 Mbps, but they do not want to exceed the shaping rate even if the line rate is higher. Which QoS tool should be used on the interface facing the DSLAM?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction that shaping buffers and delays traffic to meet a rate, while policing drops or re-marks, leading candidates to mistakenly choose policing when the requirement is to never exceed the rate without dropping.
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
✓
Shaping
Shaping is the correct tool because it buffers excess traffic and smooths the output rate to a configured target (10 Mbps) without exceeding it, even if the physical line rate is higher. Unlike policing, shaping does not drop or re-mark packets when the rate is exceeded, ensuring the downstream DSLAM receives traffic at or below the shaped rate.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Queuing
Why it's wrong here
Queuing manages packet order and drop decisions, not rate limiting.
- ✗
Marking
Why it's wrong here
Marking sets QoS marks, doesn't limit rate.
- ✗
Policing
Why it's wrong here
Policing drops exceeding traffic, not buffering.
- ✓
Shaping
Why this is correct
Shaping buffers traffic to stay below a configured rate.
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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.