Quick Answer
The answer is Anycast-RP with multiple RPs sharing the same IP address. This design is most appropriate for an IPTV multicast architecture because it provides inherent load sharing across multiple Rendezvous Points while ensuring fast failover and minimal traffic convergence—if one RP fails, sources and receivers simply register with the next closest RP using the same anycast IP, eliminating the need for any RP reconfiguration or protocol state rebuild. On the Cisco SPCOR 350-501 exam, this question tests your understanding of high-availability multicast designs in service provider networks, often contrasting Anycast-RP against single-RP solutions like Auto-RP or BSR, which introduce a single point of failure and slower convergence. A common trap is assuming that Auto-RP or BSR inherently provide redundancy, but they still rely on a single active RP; Anycast-RP is the only option that distributes the RP function across multiple devices with zero convergence delay. Memory tip: think “same IP, many RPs” for Anycast-RP—it’s the multicast equivalent of first-hop redundancy for the control plane.
This 350-501 practice question tests your understanding of architecture. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A large ISP is designing a multicast architecture to support IPTV, requiring high availability and minimal traffic convergence. Which RP placement design is most appropriate?
Single static RP placed on the core router
Why wrong: Single point of failure; no redundancy.
Auto-RP with one RP mapping agent
Why wrong: Auto-RP still uses one RP; slow convergence.
Anycast-RP with multiple RPs sharing same IP
Provides load balancing and fast failover.
BSR with one candidate RP
Why wrong: BSR also has a single RP; slower failover.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Anycast-RP with multiple RPs sharing same IP
Option D is correct because Anycast-RP provides load sharing and fast failover without RP reconfiguration. Option A is wrong because a single static RP creates a single point of failure. Option B is wrong because Auto-RP relies on a single RP and has convergence delays. Option C is wrong because BSR also has a single RP and slower convergence.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Single static RP placed on the core router
Why it's wrong here
Single point of failure; no redundancy.
Auto-RP with one RP mapping agent
Why it's wrong here
Auto-RP still uses one RP; slow convergence.
Anycast-RP with multiple RPs sharing same IP
Why this is correct
Provides load balancing and fast failover.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
BSR with one candidate RP
Why it's wrong here
BSR also has a single RP; slower failover.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the 350-501 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Identify which 350-501 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Architecture — study guide chapter
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Architecture practice questions
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Cisco SPCOR / CCNP Service Provider Core 350-501 study guide
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FAQ
Architecture — This question tests Architecture — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Anycast-RP with multiple RPs sharing same IP — Option D is correct because Anycast-RP provides load sharing and fast failover without RP reconfiguration. Option A is wrong because a single static RP creates a single point of failure. Option B is wrong because Auto-RP relies on a single RP and has convergence delays. Option C is wrong because BSR also has a single RP and slower convergence.
Identify which 350-501 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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.
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