350-501 Automation and Quality of Service Practice Question
An SP router is configured with a hierarchical QoS policy (parent policy shaper, child policy with CBWFQ). When applying this policy to an interface, the router reports 'Policy map not found' error. What is the most likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between configuration errors (e.g., missing policy-map) and operational errors (e.g., unsupported values), leading candidates to overthink interface or shaping parameters when the actual issue is a simple missing object.
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 child policy-map specified in the parent's 'service-policy' command does not exist.
The 'Policy map not found' error occurs when the parent policy-map references a child policy-map via the 'service-policy' command, but that child policy-map does not exist in the router's configuration. Hierarchical QoS requires both the parent and child policy-maps to be created and correctly named; a missing child policy-map prevents the router from applying the nested policy.
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 interface speed is not configured.
Why it's wrong here
Interface speed is auto-negotiated; error would be different.
- ✗
The interface is not part of a bridge domain.
Why it's wrong here
QoS does not require bridge domain.
- ✓
The child policy-map specified in the parent's 'service-policy' command does not exist.
Why this is correct
The child policy must exist before applying the parent.
- ✗
The shape average command in the parent policy uses an unsupported value.
Why it's wrong here
Shape average values are checked at commit; this error message is specific.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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