350-501 Services Practice Question
Which TWO statements about BGP FlowSpec (RFC 8955) are correct?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the misconception that FlowSpec requires a separate BGP session or MPLS, but the trap here is that candidates confuse the address family separation (which uses the same session) with a separate session, or assume MPLS is mandatory because FlowSpec is often discussed in MPLS VPN contexts.
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
✓
FlowSpec can be deployed in BGP sessions between a route reflector and a client.
BGP FlowSpec (RFC 8955) can be deployed between a route reflector and its clients. The route reflector propagates FlowSpec NLRI (Network Layer Reachability Information) to its clients, allowing the clients to install traffic filtering rules without requiring a full BGP mesh. This is a common deployment model in service provider networks to distribute flow-spec routes efficiently.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
FlowSpec can be deployed in BGP sessions between a route reflector and a client.
Why this is correct
FlowSpec routes can be propagated via BGP within the service provider network.
- ✗
FlowSpec uses a separate BGP session from the regular IPv4 unicast session.
Why it's wrong here
FlowSpec can be carried in the same session using additional address families.
- ✗
FlowSpec is designed to replace ACLs on provider edge routers.
Why it's wrong here
FlowSpec provides dynamic traffic filtering but does not replace static ACLs entirely.
- ✗
FlowSpec requires MPLS forwarding to operate.
Why it's wrong here
FlowSpec can operate on pure IP networks.
- ✓
FlowSpec uses the IPv4 unicast or VPNv4 address family.
Why this is correct
FlowSpec uses SAFI 133 (IPv4) or 134 (VPNv4) under the IPv4 AFI.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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