350-501 Security and Services Practice Question
An SP uses DPI to classify traffic. What is the primary purpose of DPI in a service provider network?
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
✓
To identify applications regardless of port
DPI inspects packet payloads to identify application-layer protocols (e.g., HTTP, BitTorrent), enabling traffic shaping, QoS, or security policies.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
To block all traffic from a specific IP
Why it's wrong here
That is a basic ACL function, not DPI.
- ✓
To identify applications regardless of port
Why this is correct
DPI can identify applications even if they use non-standard ports.
- ✗
To classify traffic based on port numbers only
Why it's wrong here
DPI goes beyond port numbers; it inspects payload.
- ✗
To encrypt traffic
Why it's wrong here
DPI does not encrypt; it inspects.
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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.