350-501 Networking Practice Question
An engineer configures the 'set-overload-bit' command on an IS-IS router. What is the immediate effect on the network?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the misconception that setting the overload bit stops all routing functionality or drops adjacencies, when in fact it only prevents transit traffic while preserving reachability and neighbor relationships.
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 router is not used as a transit path but still has routes.
The 'set-overload-bit' command causes the IS-IS router to set the overload bit in its Link State PDUs (LSPs). This signals to other routers that the advertising router should not be used for transit traffic, but it still participates in SPF calculations and can be reached as a leaf or end node. Therefore, the router retains its routes and adjacency, but other routers will not forward traffic through it.
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 router stops participating in SPF calculations.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. The router still runs SPF.
- ✗
The router's LSPs are no longer advertised.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. LSPs are still advertised with the overload bit set.
- ✗
The router's neighbors drop adjacency.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Adjacency remains.
- ✓
The router is not used as a transit path but still has routes.
Why this is correct
Correct. Overload bit prevents transit traffic while still being reachable.
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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.