hardMultiple Choice
300-410 Independent Label Distribution Control Practice Question
In MPLS, what is the default label distribution control mode for LDP on Cisco IOS-XE?
⚠ Common exam trap
300-410 often tests whether candidates confuse label distribution control modes (Independent vs. Ordered) with label retention modes (Liberal vs. Conservative), leading to incorrect answers.
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
✓
Independent Label Distribution Control mode
The default label distribution control mode for LDP on Cisco IOS-XE is Independent Label Distribution Control mode. In this mode, each LSR can distribute label bindings to its neighbors independently, without waiting for a label binding from its downstream neighbor. This is the default behavior on Cisco IOS-XE.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Ordered Label Distribution Control mode
Why it's wrong here
Cisco IOS-XE LDP defaults to independent label distribution control, where each LSR advertises bindings without waiting for downstream labels. Ordered mode is correct when label conservation across the path is required, such as in certain ATM or traffic-engineering designs, but it is not the default.
- ✓
Independent Label Distribution Control mode
Why this is correct
Cisco IOS-XE defaults to Independent mode, where each LSR advertises label bindings for prefixes it knows without waiting for downstream labels. This satisfies the stem's default requirement, unlike Ordered mode, which requires a downstream binding before advertising upstream.
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Liberal Label Retention mode
Why it's wrong here
LDP defaults to Downstream Unsolicited label distribution with Independent control mode; Liberal Label Retention concerns which labels are kept, not distribution control. It tempts because retention modes are configured alongside distribution, but the question asks the control mode, which is Independent.
- ✗
Conservative Label Retention mode
Why it's wrong here
LDP defaults to Downstream Unsolicited advertisement with Liberal Label Retention; Conservative retention is non-default. It is tempting because Conservative retention conserves label space on memory-constrained devices, and would be correct where label resources are scarce or where only next-hop labels are needed.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Advanced EIGRP Features (Stub, Load Balancing, Named Mode)
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.
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.
About these practice questions
This 300-410 question is part of Courseiva's 1,401-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.