350-501 Networking Practice Question
A service provider wants to ensure that customer traffic is not impacted during a planned maintenance on a core LSR in an MPLS network. Which MPLS feature should be used?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates confuse MPLS TE FRR with MPLS LDP synchronization or MPLS OAM, mistakenly thinking that any 'protection' or 'monitoring' feature can handle planned maintenance, when only FRR provides the sub-50 ms local repair capability required for hitless maintenance.
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
✓
MPLS TE Fast Reroute
MPLS TE Fast Reroute (FRR) is the correct feature because it provides local protection against link or node failures by pre-computing backup paths (bypass tunnels) that are activated within 50 milliseconds of a failure. This ensures that customer traffic is not impacted during planned maintenance on a core LSR, as the backup path is already in place and can be triggered by a manual administrative action (e.g., shutting down the interface) to seamlessly redirect traffic before the maintenance begins.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
MPLS TE Fast Reroute
Why this is correct
FRR provides sub-50ms protection by pre-computing backup paths.
- ✗
MPLS TTL propagation
Why it's wrong here
TTL propagation is used for traceroute and does not provide protection.
- ✗
MPLS LDP synchronization
Why it's wrong here
LDP synchronization affects IGP cost when LDP is not yet established, not for maintenance protection.
- ✗
MPLS OAM
Why it's wrong here
MPLS OAM is for operation, administration, and maintenance, not for traffic protection.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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