350-501 Architecture Practice Question
An operator notices that a new MPLS-TE tunnel is not being established. The tunnel configuration includes a dynamic path option and a bandwidth of 100 Mbps. The network uses RSVP-TE with CSPF. The link-state database shows sufficient reservable bandwidth on all links along the calculated path. What is the most likely cause of the tunnel establishment failure?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between having sufficient bandwidth in the link-state database (IGP) versus having RSVP-TE actually enabled on the interfaces, leading candidates to overlook the required interface-level RSVP configuration.
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
✓
RSVP-TE is not enabled on the transit interfaces
RSVP-TE must be explicitly enabled on every interface that will participate in MPLS-TE label-switched path (LSP) signaling. Even if the link-state database shows sufficient reservable bandwidth, without RSVP-TE enabled on transit interfaces, the PATH messages cannot be processed, and the tunnel will fail to establish. This is a common misconfiguration when deploying MPLS-TE.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
RSVP-TE is not enabled on the transit interfaces
Why this is correct
RSVP-TE must be enabled on each interface along the path for signaling.
- ✗
The path option is misconfigured with a strict explicit path
Why it's wrong here
The scenario says dynamic path, so explicit path is not used.
- ✗
MPLS LDP is not enabled on the core routers
Why it's wrong here
LDP is used for label distribution in LDP-based MPLS, but RSVP-TE does not require LDP.
- ✗
The tunnel source interface is not configured with an IP address
Why it's wrong here
The source interface IP is needed but typically configured; lack of IP would cause a different error.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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