The answer is BGP with a color extended community. For an SR-TE policy to be used for traffic steering, the policy must be activated by matching its color value against a BGP route carrying a corresponding color extended community; without this match, the policy remains inactive and no traffic is directed through it. This concept tests your understanding of how Segment Routing Traffic Engineering policies are instantiated in a service provider network, specifically that IGP with SR provides the underlying label stack but does not trigger policy activation, and that static routing or OSPF opaque LSAs are irrelevant to the steering mechanism. On the Cisco SPCOR 350-501 exam, this is a common trap where candidates mistakenly think IGP SR configuration alone is sufficient, but the key is that BGP must advertise the color community to bind traffic to the policy. Remember the memory tip: “No color, no steer”—the color extended community is the activation trigger for SR-TE policy traffic steering.
350-501 Architecture Practice Question
This 350-501 practice question tests your understanding of architecture. 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.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
BGP with color extended community
For an SR-TE policy to be used, traffic must be steered via BGP with a color extended community matching the policy's color. Without a match, the policy is not activated. Option B: IGP with SR is already configured; Option C: static routing is not relevant; Option D: OSPF opaque LSA is for OSPF extensions, not SR-TE policy activation.
Key principle: OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Static routing
Why it's wrong here
Static routing does not interact with SR-TE policies.
✗
IGP with segment routing
Why it's wrong here
IGP SR is used for label distribution, not to activate a specific TE policy.
✓
BGP with color extended community
Why this is correct
BGP routes with a color community matching the policy's color will steer traffic onto that policy.
Opaque LSAs carry TE information but do not directly activate an SR-TE policy.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: OSPF can fail even when IP connectivity looks correct
OSPF neighbour formation depends on matching areas, timers, network type, authentication and passive-interface behaviour. Do not choose an answer only because the devices can ping.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
OSPF questions usually test the details that control adjacency and route selection. Read the neighbour state, area, router ID and interface configuration before deciding what is wrong.
KKey Concepts to Remember
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
Router ID selection can affect neighbour relationships and LSDB output.
OSPF cost influences the preferred path.
A route can appear in OSPF information but not become the installed route.
TExam Day Tips
→Check area mismatch first when OSPF adjacency fails.
→Review passive interfaces when a network is advertised but no neighbour forms.
→Use show ip ospf neighbor and show ip route clues carefully.
Key takeaway
OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A network engineer at a university connects two campus buildings via a fibre link. Both routers run OSPF, but no adjacency forms — even though both routers can ping each other. The engineer finds one router is in area 0 and the other in area 1. OSPF adjacency requires matching area numbers, hello/dead timers, and network type. IP reachability alone is not enough.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related 350-501 OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
Architecture — This question tests Architecture — OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: BGP with color extended community — For an SR-TE policy to be used, traffic must be steered via BGP with a color extended community matching the policy's color. Without a match, the policy is not activated. Option B: IGP with SR is already configured; Option C: static routing is not relevant; Option D: OSPF opaque LSA is for OSPF extensions, not SR-TE policy activation.
What should I do if I get this 350-501 question wrong?
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related 350-501 OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
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