- A
RTs must be manually configured on every PE router for each VRF.
Why wrong: Incorrect: RTs can be auto-generated using the Auto-RT feature.
- B
RTs are used to prevent routing loops within the MPLS VPN network.
Why wrong: Incorrect: Loop prevention is achieved via route distinguishers and AS-override, not RTs.
- C
RTs are used to determine the next-hop IP address for VPN prefixes.
Why wrong: Incorrect: The next-hop is determined by the BGP next-hop attribute, not RTs.
- D
RTs control the import and export of routes between VRFs on PE routers.
Correct: RTs determine which routes are imported into or exported from a VRF.
- E
RTs are carried in the IP header to enable per-VPN forwarding.
Why wrong: Incorrect: RTs are BGP extended communities carried in BGP updates, not in IP headers.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is that route target communities control the import and export of routes between VRFs on PE routers. This is because an MPLS L3VPN route target community is encoded as a BGP extended community attribute, and each VRF is configured with import and export RTs that determine which VPNv4 routes are accepted into or advertised from that VRF. On the Cisco SPCOR 350-501 exam, this concept tests your understanding of how service providers isolate and interconnect customer VPNs across an MPLS backbone, often appearing in multiple-choice questions that try to confuse RTs with route distinguishers or next-hop attributes. A common trap is assuming RTs affect routing decisions like next-hop selection or loop prevention, but they only govern route distribution between VRFs. Remember the memory tip: "RTs are the bouncers at the VRF door—they decide who gets in (import) and who gets kicked out (export), not where they go next."
350-501 Services Practice Question
This 350-501 practice question tests your understanding of services. 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.
Which two statements about MPLS Layer 3 VPN route target (RT) communities are correct?
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
RTs control the import and export of routes between VRFs on PE routers.
Route targets are used to import and export VPN routes between VRFs, and they are encoded as extended community attributes in BGP updates. Option B is incorrect because RTs do not directly determine the next hop; that is done by the BGP next-hop attribute. Option C is incorrect because RTs are not used for loop prevention (that is the role of the route distinguisher and AS-override). Option D is incorrect because RTs are not required to be manually configured if auto-RT is used. Option E is incorrect because RTs are not carried in IP headers; they are part of BGP VPNv4 updates.
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.
- ✗
RTs must be manually configured on every PE router for each VRF.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: RTs can be auto-generated using the Auto-RT feature.
- ✗
RTs are used to prevent routing loops within the MPLS VPN network.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Loop prevention is achieved via route distinguishers and AS-override, not RTs.
- ✗
RTs are used to determine the next-hop IP address for VPN prefixes.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: The next-hop is determined by the BGP next-hop attribute, not RTs.
- ✓
RTs control the import and export of routes between VRFs on PE routers.
Why this is correct
Correct: RTs determine which routes are imported into or exported from a VRF.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
RTs are carried in the IP header to enable per-VPN forwarding.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: RTs are BGP extended communities carried in BGP updates, not in IP headers.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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
How to think about this question
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.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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 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.
- →
Services — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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Services practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 350-501 question test?
Services — This question tests Services — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: RTs control the import and export of routes between VRFs on PE routers. — Route targets are used to import and export VPN routes between VRFs, and they are encoded as extended community attributes in BGP updates. Option B is incorrect because RTs do not directly determine the next hop; that is done by the BGP next-hop attribute. Option C is incorrect because RTs are not used for loop prevention (that is the role of the route distinguisher and AS-override). Option D is incorrect because RTs are not required to be manually configured if auto-RT is used. Option E is incorrect because RTs are not carried in IP headers; they are part of BGP VPNv4 updates.
What should I do if I get this 350-501 question wrong?
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
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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