- A
A P router (core router) performs label swapping only on the top label in the label stack.
Correct. The P router swaps the outer IGP label; it does not process the inner VPN label.
- B
The ingress PE router imposes two labels: an outer LDP label and an inner VPN label.
Correct. The outer label is for transport across the MPLS core, the inner label identifies the egress VRF.
- C
The P router pops the inner VPN label before forwarding the packet to the egress PE.
Why wrong: Incorrect. The P router does not pop the VPN label; it only swaps the outer label.
- D
The egress PE router swaps the VPN label with a new label before forwarding to the CE.
Why wrong: Incorrect. The egress PE pops the VPN label and forwards the IP packet to the CE.
- E
The P router uses the inner VPN label to make forwarding decisions.
Why wrong: Incorrect. The P router only looks at the top label; the inner VPN label is transparent to it.
300-410 MPLS Operations Practice Question
This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of mpls operations. 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 TWO statements about MPLS label stack operations in a Layer 3 VPN (L3VPN) are true? (Choose TWO.)
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
A P router (core router) performs label swapping only on the top label in the label stack.
In MPLS L3VPN, the P router (core router) performs label swapping based on the top label (IGP label). The PE router (ingress) imposes two labels: the outer IGP label for transport and the inner VPN label for identifying the egress VRF. The P router does not look at the inner VPN label. Option A is correct: the P router swaps only the top label. Option B is correct: the ingress PE imposes two labels. Option C is false: the P router does not pop the VPN label; it swaps the transport label. Option D is false: the egress PE pops the VPN label, not the P router. Option E is false: the P router does not look at the VPN label; it only swaps the outer label.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
A P router (core router) performs label swapping only on the top label in the label stack.
Why this is correct
Correct. The P router swaps the outer IGP label; it does not process the inner VPN label.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
The ingress PE router imposes two labels: an outer LDP label and an inner VPN label.
Why this is correct
Correct. The outer label is for transport across the MPLS core, the inner label identifies the egress VRF.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The P router pops the inner VPN label before forwarding the packet to the egress PE.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. The P router does not pop the VPN label; it only swaps the outer label.
- ✗
The egress PE router swaps the VPN label with a new label before forwarding to the CE.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. The egress PE pops the VPN label and forwards the IP packet to the CE.
- ✗
The P router uses the inner VPN label to make forwarding decisions.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. The P router only looks at the top label; the inner VPN label is transparent to it.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 300-410 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which 300-410 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 300-410 question test?
MPLS Operations — This question tests MPLS Operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: A P router (core router) performs label swapping only on the top label in the label stack. — In MPLS L3VPN, the P router (core router) performs label swapping based on the top label (IGP label). The PE router (ingress) imposes two labels: the outer IGP label for transport and the inner VPN label for identifying the egress VRF. The P router does not look at the inner VPN label. Option A is correct: the P router swaps only the top label. Option B is correct: the ingress PE imposes two labels. Option C is false: the P router does not pop the VPN label; it swaps the transport label. Option D is false: the egress PE pops the VPN label, not the P router. Option E is false: the P router does not look at the VPN label; it only swaps the outer label.
What should I do if I get this 300-410 question wrong?
Identify which 300-410 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026
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.
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