350-501 Automation and Quality of Services Practice Question
In SR-TE PCE, which protocol does the PCE use to communicate with the PCC (Path Computation Client) to set up LSPs?
⚠ Common exam trap
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).
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.
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.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
One of 971 original 350-501 practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.