300-410 Infrastructure Services Practice Question
A network engineer is configuring a Cisco IOS router to use Policy-Based Routing (PBR) to forward traffic from a specific subnet to a next-hop address. The route-map is named PBR_MAP, and the interface is GigabitEthernet0/0. Which command sequence correctly applies the route-map to the interface for incoming packets?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse the command to apply a route-map for PBR with commands used for other features, or including the route-map definition when only the application command is asked.
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
✓
interface GigabitEthernet0/0 ip policy route-map PBR_MAP
To apply PBR on an interface, the ip policy route-map command is used, referencing the route-map name. This command enables policy routing for packets entering the interface. The other options either use incorrect syntax or include unnecessary configuration details. The correct application is straightforward.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
interface GigabitEthernet0/0 ip route-cache policy
Why it's wrong here
The ip route-cache policy command enables fast-switched policy routing on older Cisco IOS versions. It does not apply a route-map; it only affects how policy routing is processed. Without the ip policy route-map command, the route-map is not associated with the interface. Therefore, this command alone does not enable PBR with the specified route-map.
- ✗
route-map PBR_MAP permit 10 match ip address 101 set ip next-hop 10.1.1.1 interface GigabitEthernet0/0 ip policy route-map PBR_MAP
Why it's wrong here
This option includes the correct interface command but also shows the route-map configuration. While the route-map configuration is necessary, the question asks for the command sequence to apply the route-map to the interface. Including the route-map definition in the answer makes it not the minimal correct sequence, and it may confuse the application step. The application command alone is sufficient to answer the question.
- ✗
interface GigabitEthernet0/0 ip route-map PBR_MAP in
Why it's wrong here
The command ip route-map is not valid for applying PBR on an interface. Cisco IOS uses ip policy route-map to attach a route-map for policy routing. The syntax with 'in' is used for other features like NAT or access lists, but not for PBR. Thus, this command would be rejected or have no effect.
- ✓
interface GigabitEthernet0/0 ip policy route-map PBR_MAP
Why this is correct
The ip policy route-map command, configured under the interface, enables PBR for packets arriving on that interface. The route-map defines the match and set criteria that determine how packets are handled. This is the correct and standard method to apply PBR on Cisco IOS routers for policy routing of ingress traffic.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
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