The correct answer is that VPLS emulates a multipoint Ethernet service over MPLS, while EoMPLS establishes a point-to-point pseudowire. This distinction is fundamental because EoMPLS, defined by RFC 4448, transports Layer 2 frames between exactly two PE routers using a single pseudowire, with no MAC learning or flooding capabilities—it is strictly a wire-like link. VPLS, in contrast, uses multiple pseudowires in a full mesh and performs MAC address learning at the PE, allowing it to function as a virtual switch that connects many sites as if they were on the same LAN. On the Cisco SPCOR 350-501 exam, this question tests your understanding of L2VPN service types and their MPLS transport mechanisms; a common trap is confusing the point-to-point nature of EoMPLS with the multipoint behavior of VPLS. A helpful memory tip is to think of EoMPLS as a “cable” between two sites and VPLS as a “virtual Ethernet hub” for many sites.
350-501 Services Practice Question
This 350-501 practice question tests your understanding of services. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A service provider is planning to offer L2VPN services using MPLS. Which TWO statements are true regarding Ethernet over MPLS (EoMPLS) and Virtual Private LAN Service (VPLS)?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
EoMPLS provides a point-to-point pseudowire between two PE routers.
EoMPLS (Ethernet over MPLS) is correct because it establishes a point-to-point pseudowire (Martini draft, RFC 4448) between two PE routers, transporting Layer 2 Ethernet frames across an MPLS core without MAC learning or multipoint capabilities.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
EoMPLS provides a point-to-point pseudowire between two PE routers.
Why this is correct
EoMPLS is a point-to-point service.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
VPLS requires all PE routers to be in the same VLAN.
Why it's wrong here
VPLS uses bridge domains, not necessarily the same VLAN.
✗
VPLS uses a hub-and-spoke topology to interconnect multiple sites.
Why it's wrong here
VPLS uses a full-mesh of pseudowires.
✓
VPLS emulates a multipoint Ethernet service over MPLS.
Why this is correct
VPLS provides a multipoint service.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
EoMPLS supports MAC address learning between sites.
Why it's wrong here
EoMPLS does not perform MAC learning.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between point-to-point (EoMPLS) and multipoint (VPLS) services, and the trap here is confusing MAC learning (VPLS) with simple transport (EoMPLS), or assuming VPLS uses a hub-and-spoke topology instead of a full mesh.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
EoMPLS uses two MPLS labels: the inner VC label (for pseudowire demultiplexing) and the outer transport label (for LSP forwarding). VPLS, defined in RFC 4762, requires a full mesh of pseudowires and uses MAC address learning via the MAC-VRF table, often relying on split-horizon to prevent loops. In real-world deployments, H-VPLS (Hierarchical VPLS) reduces the full-mesh requirement by using a spoke-to-hub topology with MTU-s aggregation.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A help-desk technician troubleshoots why a newly connected PC cannot reach shared printers on the same floor. The cable is good, the switch port is active, but the PC is in VLAN 20 and the printers are in VLAN 10. The uplink trunk only allows VLAN 10. A trunk being up does not mean every VLAN crosses it.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Services — This question tests Services — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: EoMPLS provides a point-to-point pseudowire between two PE routers. — EoMPLS (Ethernet over MPLS) is correct because it establishes a point-to-point pseudowire (Martini draft, RFC 4448) between two PE routers, transporting Layer 2 Ethernet frames across an MPLS core without MAC learning or multipoint capabilities.
What should I do if I get this 350-501 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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