- A
RESV
Why wrong: RESV is the response message from the tailend.
- B
PATH
Correct. PATH carries the ERO and requests resources.
- C
RSVP Hello
Why wrong: Used for neighbor liveness detection.
- D
RSVP Tear
Why wrong: Teardown message.
Question 833 of 1,000
350-501 MPLS and Segment Routing Practice Question
This 350-501 practice question tests your understanding of mpls and segment routing. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
In RSVP-TE, which message is sent by the headend router along the explicit route to reserve resources and establish an LSP?
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
✓
PATH
In RSVP-TE, the headend router sends a PATH message along the explicit route to signal the desired LSP. This message carries the label request, traffic parameters, and the explicit route object (ERO) to each downstream router, which then forwards it hop-by-hop toward the destination. Only after the PATH message reaches the tailend does the tailend respond with a RESV message to actually reserve resources and establish the LSP.
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.
- ✗
RESV
Why it's wrong here
RESV is the response message from the tailend.
- ✓
PATH
Why this is correct
Correct. PATH carries the ERO and requests resources.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
RSVP Hello
Why it's wrong here
Used for neighbor liveness detection.
- ✗
RSVP Tear
Why it's wrong here
Teardown message.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between the direction of PATH (headend to tailend) and RESV (tailend to headend), trapping candidates who confuse which message initiates the reservation versus which message actually reserves resources.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The PATH message includes a LABEL_REQUEST object (RFC 3209) to request a label from downstream routers, and the ERO specifies the explicit path. Each intermediate router processes the PATH message, records path state, and forwards it; the actual label binding occurs only in the RESV message. In a real-world scenario, if the headend fails to send a PATH message with correct traffic parameters, the tailend may reject the RESV, causing LSP establishment failure.
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 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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 350-501 question test?
MPLS and Segment Routing — This question tests MPLS and Segment Routing — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: PATH — In RSVP-TE, the headend router sends a PATH message along the explicit route to signal the desired LSP. This message carries the label request, traffic parameters, and the explicit route object (ERO) to each downstream router, which then forwards it hop-by-hop toward the destination. Only after the PATH message reaches the tailend does the tailend respond with a RESV message to actually reserve resources and establish the LSP.
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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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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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