350-501 Architecture Practice Question
An SP is planning to offer L3VPN services. Which TWO components are essential for BGP/MPLS IP VPN operation?
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
✓
VRF (Virtual Routing and Forwarding) on provider edge routers.
VRF (D) provides per-customer routing isolation, and MP-BGP with VPN-IPv4 address family (E) is used to exchange VPN routes between PEs. MPLS labels are used for data plane forwarding but are not considered control plane components for VPN operation.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Full mesh of IPsec tunnels between all PEs.
Why it's wrong here
IPsec is not required; MPLS labels are used.
- ✗
OSPF as the IGP within the MPLS core.
Why it's wrong here
Any IGP can be used; it's not essential.
- ✗
A single global routing table shared among all customers.
Why it's wrong here
Each customer has separate VRF.
- ✓
VRF (Virtual Routing and Forwarding) on provider edge routers.
Why this is correct
VRF isolates routing per customer.
- ✓
MP-BGP with VPN-IPv4 address family for route exchange.
Why this is correct
MP-BGP carries VPN routes with RD/RT.
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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.