350-501 Automation and Quality of Service Practice Question
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
<rpc xmlns="urn:ietf:params:xml:ns:netconf:base:1.0">
<get>
<filter type="subtree">
<policy-maps xmlns="http://cisco.com/ns/yang/Cisco-IOS-XR-qos-ma-cfg">
<policy-map>
<type>qos</type>
<name>POLICE-CUSTOMER</name>
</policy-map>
</policy-maps>
</filter>
</get>
</rpc>
Response:
<data xmlns="urn:ietf:params:xml:ns:netconf:base:1.0">
<policy-maps xmlns="http://cisco.com/ns/yang/Cisco-IOS-XR-qos-ma-cfg">
<policy-map>
<type>qos</type>
<name>POLICE-CUSTOMER</name>
<class>
<name>class-default</name>
<police>
<cir>256000</cir>
<conform-action>transmit</conform-action>
<exceed-action>drop</exceed-action>
</police>
</class>
</policy-map>
</policy-maps>
</data>Refer to the exhibit. A network automation engineer uses NETCONF to retrieve the QoS policy 'POLICE-CUSTOMER'. Based on the response, what is the effect of this policy?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between policing (drops/marks excess) and shaping (buffers excess), and candidates mistakenly associate any rate-limiting action with shaping or marking without checking the specific action keywords in the configuration.
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
✓
It polices all traffic to a maximum of 256 kbps and drops excess.
The NETCONF response shows a 'police' configuration under the QoS policy 'POLICE-CUSTOMER' with a committed information rate (CIR) of 256000 bps (256 kbps) and a conform-action of 'transmit' with an exceed-action of 'drop'. This is a standard policing action that meters traffic to the specified rate and drops any packets that exceed it, as defined in RFC 2697 (Single Rate Three Color Marker). Option A correctly identifies this behavior.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
It polices all traffic to a maximum of 256 kbps and drops excess.
Why this is correct
Correct: Policer with exceed-action drop.
- ✗
It sets DSCP CS4 on traffic exceeding 256 kbps.
Why it's wrong here
No marking action is configured.
- ✗
It guarantees a priority queue for traffic up to 256 kbps.
Why it's wrong here
No priority queue; it's a policer.
- ✗
It shapes traffic to an average rate of 256 kbps.
Why it's wrong here
Shaping queues excess; this policy drops, so it's policing, not shaping.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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