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300-410 Practice Question: In MPLS LDP, what is the default label retention…
In MPLS LDP, what is the default label retention mode on Cisco IOS-XE routers?
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
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Liberal Label Retention mode
The default label retention mode is Liberal, meaning that a router retains all label bindings received from neighbors, even if the neighbor is not the next hop for the FEC.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Liberal Label Retention mode
Why this is correct
Cisco IOS-XE defaults to Liberal Label Retention, keeping all received label bindings regardless of whether the next hop is currently used. This differs from Conservative mode, which discards labels not associated with the feasible next hop.
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Conservative Label Retention mode
Why it's wrong here
Conservative retention discards labels received from non-next-hop neighbours, conserving memory. IOS-XE instead defaults to Liberal retention, keeping all received labels so alternate paths survive failures. Conservative would be chosen on memory-constrained devices, but it is not the IOS-XE default.
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Ordered Label Retention mode
Why it's wrong here
Ordered mode governs label advertisement, not retention: an LSR waits for downstream labels before advertising. IOS-XE retains all received labels regardless, so ordered mode is irrelevant here. It is tempting because ordered advertisement is the default distribution mode, making the term familiar, but the question asks about retention.
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Independent Label Retention mode
Why it's wrong here
Cisco IOS-XE defaults to Liberal Label Retention, retaining labels received from non-next-hop peers for faster convergence. Independent mode concerns label distribution, not retention, so it is the wrong axis. Independent retention is tempting because LDP does advertise labels independently, but retention mode is a separate setting.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Advanced EIGRP Features (Stub, Load Balancing, Named Mode)
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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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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