The answer is weight, local preference, and locally originated routes. Weight is a Cisco-proprietary attribute checked first in the BGP best path selection order, overriding all other attributes because it is locally significant to the router; a higher weight is always preferred, making it the most powerful tool for inbound traffic engineering on a single router. On the Cisco SPCOR and CCNP Service Provider Core 350-501 exam, this question tests your understanding that the BGP best path selection process evaluates weight before local preference, and that the metric (MED) step comes much later in the decision sequence. A common trap is confusing weight with local preference—remember that weight is local to the router and checked first, while local preference is shared across the AS and checked second. For a quick memory tip, think “WLL” (Weight, Local preference, Locally originated) as the first three steps before you ever consider AS_PATH length or metric.
350-501 Networking Practice Question
This 350-501 practice question tests your understanding of networking. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 network engineer is troubleshooting a BGP route selection issue on a router that receives the same prefix from two different peers. Which THREE BGP attributes are considered in the route selection process before the 'prefer the route with the lowest metric' step?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Highest weight
Weight is a Cisco-proprietary BGP attribute that is locally significant to the router and is checked first in the BGP best-path selection process. A route with a higher weight is preferred over all other attributes, including local preference and AS_PATH length, making it the most influential attribute for inbound traffic engineering on a single router.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Highest weight
Why this is correct
Weight is the first attribute considered; higher weight is preferred.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Shortest AS_PATH
Why it's wrong here
AS_PATH length is considered after metric (step 6), not before.
✓
Prefer locally originated routes (network or aggregate)
Why this is correct
Locally originated routes are preferred over learned routes.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Highest local preference
Why this is correct
Local preference is considered second; higher is preferred.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Lowest origin type (IGP < EGP < incomplete)
Why it's wrong here
Origin is considered after metric (step 7), not before.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the exact order of BGP path selection steps, and the trap here is that candidates confuse the sequence by thinking AS_PATH or Origin type are evaluated before locally originated routes or local preference, when in fact they come later.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The BGP best-path selection algorithm follows a strict sequence of steps: highest Weight (Cisco proprietary), highest Local Preference, prefer locally originated routes, shortest AS_PATH, lowest Origin type, lowest MED, and then eBGP over iBGP. Weight is set per neighbor using the 'set weight' route-map command or the 'neighbor weight' command, and it overrides all other attributes because it is evaluated first. In a real-world scenario, an engineer might use weight to prefer a specific backup link without affecting other routers in the AS.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Networking — This question tests Networking — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Highest weight — Weight is a Cisco-proprietary BGP attribute that is locally significant to the router and is checked first in the BGP best-path selection process. A route with a higher weight is preferred over all other attributes, including local preference and AS_PATH length, making it the most influential attribute for inbound traffic engineering on a single router.
What should I do if I get this 350-501 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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