350-501 Networking Practice Question
A service provider's network uses MPLS TE with Fast Reroute (FRR) for link protection. After a fiber cut on a core link, the traffic is rerouted via a backup tunnel, but the backup tunnel's path suffers from high latency. The customer complains about poor voice quality. What can be done to avoid this scenario in future deployments?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the misconception that increasing bandwidth or using node protection will solve latency issues, but the trap here is that latency is a path property, not a bandwidth or protection-type attribute, so only explicit path control (Option A) directly addresses the problem.
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
✓
Configure backup tunnels with explicit paths that avoid high-latency links
Configuring backup tunnels with explicit paths that avoid high-latency links ensures that when MPLS TE Fast Reroute (FRR) activates, the backup path meets the latency requirements for real-time traffic like voice. By specifying explicit routes (e.g., via the 'path-option' command with explicit-path objects), the operator can exclude links known to have high propagation delay or congestion, thus preventing the poor voice quality experienced after the fiber cut.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Configure backup tunnels with explicit paths that avoid high-latency links
Why this is correct
Explicit path constraint ensures backup tunnel follows desired low-latency links.
- ✗
Increase the bandwidth reservations on the backup tunnel
Why it's wrong here
Bandwidth reservation does not affect latency.
- ✗
Implement BGP PIC for edge routers
Why it's wrong here
BGP PIC improves convergence at the network edge, not in core MPLS TE.
- ✗
Use node protection instead of link protection
Why it's wrong here
Node protection protects against node failures, but does not guarantee low latency for the backup path.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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