Quick Answer
The answer is weight, a Cisco proprietary attribute that serves as the first tie-breaker in the BGP best path selection process when comparing routes from different peers. This is because the BGP decision algorithm is designed to prioritize locally significant policies over global path attributes, and weight—being the highest precedence attribute—allows a router to prefer a specific path regardless of what other routers in the AS might choose. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this concept tests your understanding of the BGP path selection order, often appearing in scenario-based questions where you must identify which attribute overrides others. A common trap is confusing weight with local preference, but remember that weight is evaluated first and is only significant on the router where it is configured, whereas local preference is propagated throughout the AS. To lock this in, use the mnemonic "We Love Oranges AS Oranges" for the first four tie-breakers: Weight, Local Preference, Originate (locally originated routes), AS-path length.
This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of route maps and route filtering. 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 BGP attribute is used as the first tie-breaker in the route selection process when comparing routes from different peers?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Local preference
Why wrong: Local preference is the second tie-breaker after weight.
Weight
Correct. Weight is the first attribute checked; it is Cisco proprietary.
AS path length
Why wrong: AS path is checked after weight, local preference, and locally originated routes.
MED
Why wrong: MED is compared after AS path length and origin type.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Weight
The BGP best-path selection algorithm first prefers the path with the highest weight (Cisco proprietary), then highest local preference, then locally originated routes.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Local preference
Why it's wrong here
Local preference is the second tie-breaker after weight.
Weight
Why this is correct
Correct. Weight is the first attribute checked; it is Cisco proprietary.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
AS path length
Why it's wrong here
AS path is checked after weight, local preference, and locally originated routes.
MED
Why it's wrong here
MED is compared after AS path length and origin type.
Common exam traps
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
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
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 300-410 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
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FAQ
Route Maps and Route Filtering — This question tests Route Maps and Route Filtering — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
The correct answer is: Weight — The BGP best-path selection algorithm first prefers the path with the highest weight (Cisco proprietary), then highest local preference, then locally originated routes.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 300-410 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026
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