The answer is the `ip route vrf RED 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 vrf BLUE` command. This is correct because it creates a static inter-VRF route on the PE router, enabling VRF-lite inter-VRF forwarding by directing traffic from VRF RED to VRF BLUE using the VRF name as the next hop rather than an IP address, which bypasses the need for MPLS or BGP. On the Cisco SPCOR 350-501 exam, this command tests your understanding of VRF-lite design for multi-tenant environments where CE routers in different VRFs must communicate through the same PE without running a dynamic routing protocol. A common trap is confusing this with a standard static route or assuming MPLS is required; remember that VRF-lite relies on this simple static route for inter-VRF connectivity. Memory tip: think of the command as “pointing a VRF to another VRF” — the syntax `ip route vrf [source-VRF] [prefix] vrf [destination-VRF]` directly links the two VRFs at the PE.
350-501 Services Practice Question
This 350-501 practice question tests your understanding of services. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
A service provider is configuring VRF-lite between two CE routers connected to the same PE. The CE routers are in different VRFs. Which command allows the PE router to forward traffic between the VRFs?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "which command"
Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
ip route vrf RED 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 vrf BLUE
Option D is correct because the command `ip route vrf RED 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 vrf BLUE` creates a static inter-VRF route on the PE router, allowing traffic from VRF RED to be forwarded to VRF BLUE without requiring MPLS or BGP. This is the standard method for VRF-lite inter-VRF communication on the same PE, using a static route that points to the next-hop VRF instead of an IP address.
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 forward RED
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. 'vrf forward' is not a valid Cisco IOS command.
✗
route-target export RED:100 import BLUE:100
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Route-target is used for MPLS VPN route distribution, not for local inter-VRF routing.
✗
ip route vrf RED 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 10.1.1.1 global
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. The 'global' keyword points to the global routing table, not another VRF.
✓
ip route vrf RED 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 vrf BLUE
Why this is correct
Correct. This command uses the 'vrf' keyword to route between VRFs.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between VRF-lite static inter-VRF routes and MPLS L3VPN route-target commands, trapping candidates who confuse the simple static route approach with the BGP-based route-target import/export mechanism.
Trap categories for this question
Keyword trap
Incorrect. The 'global' keyword points to the global routing table, not another VRF.
Command / output trap
Incorrect. 'vrf forward' is not a valid Cisco IOS command.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the `vrf` keyword in the static route command creates a route that references another VRF as the next-hop, effectively bridging the two separate routing tables. This is a Layer 3 forwarding mechanism that relies on the PE's ability to perform a lookup in the source VRF, then switch to the destination VRF for the next-hop resolution. In real-world scenarios, this is commonly used for services like inter-VRF firewall insertion or when two customers need controlled connectivity without full MPLS.
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.
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: ip route vrf RED 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 vrf BLUE — Option D is correct because the command `ip route vrf RED 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 vrf BLUE` creates a static inter-VRF route on the PE router, allowing traffic from VRF RED to be forwarded to VRF BLUE without requiring MPLS or BGP. This is the standard method for VRF-lite inter-VRF communication on the same PE, using a static route that points to the next-hop VRF instead of an IP address.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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