The answer is that Segment Routing eliminates the need for LDP and RSVP-TE in the core, which is the primary benefit over LDP in an MPLS network. This is because Segment Routing (SR) encodes a source-routed list of segment identifiers directly into the packet header, allowing the network to enforce traffic engineering policies—via SR-TE with a controller or PCEP, or through SR Flexible Algorithms—without the per-LSP state and soft-state signaling overhead required by RSVP-TE. On the Cisco SPCOR 350-501 exam, this concept tests your understanding of how SR simplifies the control plane by removing LDP’s label distribution protocol and RSVP-TE’s complex signaling, often appearing as a multi-select question where a common trap is assuming SR still needs LDP for label distribution. Remember the memory tip: “SR cuts the LDP cord and drops RSVP’s state—no signaling, just source routing.”
350-501 MPLS and Segment Routing Practice Question
This 350-501 practice question tests your understanding of mpls and segment routing. 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.
Which THREE of the following are benefits of using Segment Routing over LDP in an MPLS network? (Choose three.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enables traffic engineering without RSVP-TE.
Option A is correct because Segment Routing (SR) can perform traffic engineering using SR-TE policies (via a controller or PCEP) or SR Flexible Algorithm, without requiring RSVP-TE. This eliminates the complexity of RSVP-TE's soft-state signaling and per-LSP state maintenance, relying instead on source-routed segment lists encoded in the packet header.
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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Reduces the number of protocols required in the network.
Why this is correct
Correct: Fewer protocols to configure and troubleshoot.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Eliminates the need for LDP and RSVP-TE in the core.
Why this is correct
Correct: SR uses IGP extensions instead of LDP and RSVP-TE.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Provides inherent security against label spoofing.
Why it's wrong here
SR does not add security features.
✗
Requires BGP-LU for label distribution.
Why it's wrong here
SR uses IGP for label distribution; BGP-LU is optional.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that Segment Routing eliminates all security concerns or that it mandates BGP-LU, when in fact SR's security model is similar to traditional MPLS and BGP-LU is optional for specific use cases like inter-domain label distribution.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Segment Routing leverages IGP protocols (OSPF with RFC 8665 or IS-IS with RFC 8667) to advertise SIDs, allowing the headend to encode a stack of labels that define the path. This contrasts with LDP, which requires per-hop label binding and state, and RSVP-TE, which maintains per-LSP soft state and requires refresh messages. In a real-world service provider network, SR reduces control-plane complexity by eliminating LDP and RSVP-TE entirely, simplifying operations and scaling.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
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.
MPLS and Segment Routing — This question tests MPLS and Segment Routing — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enables traffic engineering without RSVP-TE. — Option A is correct because Segment Routing (SR) can perform traffic engineering using SR-TE policies (via a controller or PCEP) or SR Flexible Algorithm, without requiring RSVP-TE. This eliminates the complexity of RSVP-TE's soft-state signaling and per-LSP state maintenance, relying instead on source-routed segment lists encoded in the packet header.
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 →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Which TWO are benefits of using Segment Routing (SR) over traditional LDP-based MPLS?
medium
✓ A.Eliminates the need for LDP and RSVP-TE protocols.
B.Requires only OSPF as the IGP.
C.Reduces label imposition at the ingress PE.
D.Faster convergence due to BGP PIC.
✓ E.Supports traffic engineering without RSVP-TE.
Why A: Option A is correct because Segment Routing (SR) eliminates the need for the Label Distribution Protocol (LDP) and Resource Reservation Protocol with Traffic Engineering (RSVP-TE) by encoding MPLS labels directly into the Interior Gateway Protocol (IGP), such as OSPF or IS-IS. This simplifies the control plane by removing these protocols entirely, reducing operational complexity and resource overhead.
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
Question Discussion
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