300-410 Layer 3 Technologies Practice Question
A network engineer is troubleshooting a BGP routing issue on a Cisco IOS XE router. The router is configured with a route map that sets the local preference for routes learned from a specific neighbor. However, the engineer notices that the local preference is not being applied to routes received from that neighbor. Which BGP configuration command is most likely missing?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that creating a route map is sufficient; the route map must be explicitly applied to the neighbor in the correct direction.
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
✓
neighbor 10.1.1.1 route-map LOCAL-PREF in
To set local preference on routes learned from a specific BGP neighbor, a route map must be created that sets the local preference and then applied to that neighbor in the inbound direction. The correct command is neighbor <ip> route-map <name> in. Without this, the route map is not applied, and local preference remains at the default value.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
neighbor 10.1.1.1 route-map LOCAL-PREF in
Why this is correct
The neighbor route-map command applies the route map to routes learned from the specified neighbor. For local preference to be set on inbound routes, the route map must be applied in the inbound direction using the in keyword. Without this command, the route map is not applied to incoming updates, so local preference remains at its default value of 100. This is the most likely missing configuration.
- ✗
bgp default local-preference 200
Why it's wrong here
The bgp default local-preference command changes the default local preference for all routes originated by the local router, not for routes learned from a specific neighbor. It does not apply a route map and would affect all BGP routes, which is not the desired outcome. This command is used to set a global default, not to selectively modify local preference for a neighbor.
- ✗
neighbor 10.1.1.1 send-community
Why it's wrong here
The neighbor send-community command enables the router to send BGP community attributes to the specified neighbor. It has no effect on local preference, which is a well-known discretionary attribute used only within an autonomous system. This command is used when community-based routing policies are required, but it does not apply a route map or modify local preference for received routes.
- ✗
neighbor 10.1.1.1 soft-reconfiguration inbound
Why it's wrong here
The neighbor soft-reconfiguration inbound command stores inbound updates so that policies can be reapplied without resetting the BGP session. It does not apply a route map or set local preference. While it is useful for troubleshooting and applying policy changes, it is not the command that applies the route map to inbound updates. Without a route map applied, local preference will not be changed.
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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
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