This 350-501 practice question tests your understanding of networking. 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.
Exhibit
show bgp vpnv4 unicast vrf CUSTOMER 10.1.1.0/24
BGP routing table entry for 10.1.1.0/24, version 5
Paths: (1 available, best #1)
Network: 10.1.1.0/24
Path: 100
from 192.168.1.1 (192.168.1.1)
Origin IGP, metric 0, localpref 100, weight 32768, valid, external, best
Extended Community: RT:200:1
Refer to the exhibit. The VRF CUSTOMER is configured with route-target import 100:1. Why is this route not installed in the VRF table?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Route target mismatch.
B is correct because the VRF CUSTOMER is configured with route-target import 100:1, but the route in question carries a different route-target value (e.g., 100:2). For a route to be installed into a VRF table, the route-target extended community attached to the route must match at least one of the import route-targets configured on the VRF. A mismatch prevents the route from being imported, even if other conditions are satisfied.
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.
✗
VRF not properly configured.
Why it's wrong here
The VRF is configured, but import target mismatch prevents installation.
✓
Route target mismatch.
Why this is correct
The route carries RT:200:1, but the VRF imports only RT:100:1.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Route distinguisher missing.
Why it's wrong here
RD is present (implicitly in the route); it does not affect import filtering.
✗
Next-hop unreachable.
Why it's wrong here
There is no indication that the next-hop is unreachable.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between route distinguisher (RD) and route-target (RT) — candidates confuse RD uniqueness with RT import/export matching, leading them to pick 'Route distinguisher missing' when the actual issue is a route-target mismatch.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, MPLS L3VPN uses BGP to carry VPNv4 routes with extended community attributes (route-targets). The VRF import process compares the route-target of the received route against the configured import map or import list; only matching routes are installed into the VRF routing table. A common real-world scenario is when service providers use different route-targets for different customers or services, and a misconfiguration leads to routes not being imported, causing connectivity failures.
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.
Networking — This question tests Networking — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Route target mismatch. — B is correct because the VRF CUSTOMER is configured with route-target import 100:1, but the route in question carries a different route-target value (e.g., 100:2). For a route to be installed into a VRF table, the route-target extended community attached to the route must match at least one of the import route-targets configured on the VRF. A mismatch prevents the route from being imported, even if other conditions are satisfied.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.