- A
RESTCONF
Why wrong: RESTCONF is not used for PCE-PCC communication.
- B
NETCONF
Why wrong: NETCONF is for configuration management, not path computation.
- C
BGP-LS
Why wrong: BGP-LS carries topology information to PCE, not for LSP setup.
- D
PCEP
PCEP handles path computation and delegation.
Question 909 of 1,000
350-501 Automation and Quality of Services Practice Question
This 350-501 practice question tests your understanding of automation and quality of services. 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 SR-TE PCE, which protocol does the PCE use to communicate with the PCC (Path Computation Client) to set up LSPs?
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
✓
PCEP
In Segment Routing Traffic Engineering (SR-TE) with a Path Computation Element (PCE), the PCE communicates with the Path Computation Client (PCC) using the Path Computation Element Protocol (PCEP), as defined in RFC 5440 and extended for SR by RFC 8664. PCEP is specifically designed for path computation requests and responses, and for initiating and setting up LSPs via the PCE-initiated LSP stateful model (RFC 8281). The PCC sends path computation requests to the PCE, and the PCE responds with computed paths, which the PCC then uses to instantiate SR-TE LSPs.
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.
- ✗
RESTCONF
Why it's wrong here
RESTCONF is not used for PCE-PCC communication.
- ✗
NETCONF
Why it's wrong here
NETCONF is for configuration management, not path computation.
- ✗
BGP-LS
Why it's wrong here
BGP-LS carries topology information to PCE, not for LSP setup.
- ✓
PCEP
Why this is correct
PCEP handles path computation and delegation.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between protocols used for topology discovery (BGP-LS), configuration (NETCONF/RESTCONF), and path computation/setup (PCEP), so the trap here is confusing BGP-LS (which provides topology information to the PCE) with PCEP (which is the actual signaling protocol between PCE and PCC for LSP operations).
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
PCEP for SR-TE uses the Stateful PCE model (RFC 8231) and PCE-initiated LSP setup (RFC 8281), where the PCE can actively create, modify, or delete LSPs on the PCC using PCInitiate messages. The SR-specific extensions (RFC 8664) allow the PCE to return a segment list (label stack) as the computed path, which the PCC then pushes onto packets. In real-world deployments, this enables centralized traffic engineering with dynamic path optimization, such as in large service provider networks where the PCE can reroute LSPs around congestion without manual intervention.
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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Automation and Quality of Services — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 350-501 question test?
Automation and Quality of Services — This question tests Automation and Quality of Services — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: PCEP — In Segment Routing Traffic Engineering (SR-TE) with a Path Computation Element (PCE), the PCE communicates with the Path Computation Client (PCC) using the Path Computation Element Protocol (PCEP), as defined in RFC 5440 and extended for SR by RFC 8664. PCEP is specifically designed for path computation requests and responses, and for initiating and setting up LSPs via the PCE-initiated LSP stateful model (RFC 8281). The PCC sends path computation requests to the PCE, and the PCE responds with computed paths, which the PCC then uses to instantiate SR-TE LSPs.
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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