300-410 Infrastructure Services Practice Question
A network engineer is implementing MPLS Traffic Engineering (TE) with RSVP-TE. The engineer must ensure that the TE tunnel can be established and that the headend router can signal the path. Which two statements about RSVP-TE operation are true? (Choose two.)
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that RSVP-TE relies on LDP for label distribution or that it automatically computes paths without explicit configuration, when in fact RSVP-TE signals labels itself and requires an explicit or CSPF-computed path.
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
✓
RSVP-TE uses the Resource Reservation Protocol to reserve bandwidth along the path of a TE tunnel.
RSVP-TE reserves bandwidth along the explicit path of a TE tunnel using PATH and RESV messages. All routers along the path must support and enable RSVP on relevant interfaces for signaling to succeed. RSVP-TE does not use LDP for label distribution; it handles labels itself. Path computation is done by CSPF on the headend, not automatically by RSVP. Reservations are unidirectional, but a separate return tunnel is not always required.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
RSVP-TE uses the Resource Reservation Protocol to reserve bandwidth along the path of a TE tunnel.
Why this is correct
RSVP-TE extends RSVP to support traffic engineering by reserving resources (bandwidth) along the explicit path of a TE tunnel. The headend router sends PATH messages that include the requested bandwidth and other constraints. Each router along the path reserves the requested resources if available and forwards the PATH message. This reservation ensures that the TE tunnel has the required bandwidth, enabling deterministic traffic handling.
- ✗
RSVP-TE automatically computes the shortest path for the tunnel without any explicit configuration.
Why it's wrong here
RSVP-TE does not automatically compute the path; it requires an explicit path to be configured on the headend router, or it can use a dynamic path computed by CSPF based on constraints. However, even with dynamic path computation, the headend must be configured with the tunnel destination and constraints. RSVP-TE itself does not compute paths; it signals the path that is determined by the headend's CSPF algorithm.
- ✗
RSVP-TE uses LDP to distribute labels for the TE tunnel.
Why it's wrong here
RSVP-TE does not use LDP for label distribution. Instead, RSVP-TE itself distributes labels as part of the signaling process. When a PATH message is sent, it includes a label request, and the RESV message assigns labels hop-by-hop. LDP is used for label distribution in non-TE MPLS networks, but TE tunnels rely on RSVP-TE for both signaling and label allocation.
- ✓
RSVP-TE signaling requires that all routers along the path support RSVP and have it enabled on the relevant interfaces.
Why this is correct
For RSVP-TE to establish a tunnel, every router along the path must support RSVP and have it enabled on the interfaces that will carry the TE tunnel. Without RSVP enabled, the routers cannot process PATH and RESV messages, and the tunnel setup will fail. This hop-by-hop signaling is essential for resource reservation and path establishment.
- ✗
RSVP-TE reservations are unidirectional, so a separate tunnel is needed for the return traffic.
Why it's wrong here
RSVP-TE reservations are indeed unidirectional; a TE tunnel reserves resources in one direction only. However, the statement that a separate tunnel is needed for return traffic is not necessarily true. In practice, return traffic can follow normal IP routing or a separate TE tunnel. The unidirectional nature means that if bidirectional TE is required, two tunnels must be configured. But the statement as written implies that a separate tunnel is always needed, which is not a requirement for all traffic.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
MPLS L3VPN Basics
Key term
LDP Protocol
LDP, or Label Distribution Protocol, is a protocol that routers use to automatically exchange labels that enable MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) to create fast, efficient paths for data packets across a network.
Key term
MPLS Label Distribution
MPLS Label Distribution is the process by which routers exchange labels that tell them how to forward packets across a network without looking at the IP address each time.
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JA
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
This 300-410 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 300-410 exam.