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350-501 MPLS and Segment Routing Practice Question

Exhibit

Refer to the exhibit.

Router# show mpls forwarding-table 192.168.10.0/24 detail
Local  Outgoing    Prefix            Bytes Label   Outgoing   Next Hop
Label  Label       or Tunnel Id      Switched      interface
200    16015       192.168.10.0/24   1000          Gi0/0/0    10.1.1.2
      MAC/Encaps: 14/18, MTU: 1500, Label Stack {16015(vcd)}
      VPN label: 1234 (L3VPN)
      Paths: 1 active
      Backup path: via Gi0/0/1, 10.1.1.6, label 16020
      Protection: FRR active, state: ready
      Time since last switch: 00:01:23

Refer to the exhibit. The output shows an MPLS forwarding entry with FRR protection. What is the purpose of the backup path shown?

⚠ Common exam trap

Cisco often tests the distinction between FRR backup paths (for protection) and ECMP load-balancing paths (for traffic distribution), leading candidates to confuse redundancy with load sharing.

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

✓

To forward traffic if the primary outgoing interface fails.

The backup path in an MPLS Fast Reroute (FRR) configuration is precomputed and installed in the forwarding table to provide sub-50ms protection against link or node failures. When the primary outgoing interface fails, traffic is immediately switched to the backup path without waiting for IGP convergence, ensuring minimal packet loss.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

  • ✗

    To handle penultimate hop popping for the primary path.

    Why it's wrong here

    PHP is separate; the backup path still uses labels.

  • ✓

    To forward traffic if the primary outgoing interface fails.

    Why this is correct

    The backup path activates when primary fails, ensuring fast convergence.

  • ✗

    To provide a load-balancing alternative for the primary path.

    Why it's wrong here

    FRR backup is not for load balancing; it's for protection.

  • ✗

    To carry the VPN label separately.

    Why it's wrong here

    The VPN label is already in the primary path; backup uses same label stack.

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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.