300-410 Policy-Based Routing (PBR) Practice Question
This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of policy-based routing (pbr). This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 configuration steps are required to implement Policy-Based Routing (PBR) on a Cisco router? (Choose TWO.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create a route-map with match and set commands.
To implement PBR, you must create a route-map with match and set commands, then apply it to an interface using 'ip policy route-map'. Configuring an ACL is optional if match criteria use other methods. Enabling CEF is not required for PBR. The 'ip route' command is for static routing, not PBR. 'ip local policy route-map' is only for locally generated packets, not a general requirement.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Create a route-map with match and set commands.
Why this is correct
The route-map defines the policy: what traffic to match and what action to take.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✓
Apply the route-map to an interface using the 'ip policy route-map' command.
Why this is correct
This activates PBR on the interface, processing inbound traffic according to the route-map.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
Configure an access-list to match the traffic.
Why it's wrong here
An ACL is often used but not mandatory; other match criteria like packet length can be used.
✗
Enable CEF globally.
Why it's wrong here
CEF is not required for PBR; PBR works with process switching or CEF.
✗
Use the 'ip local policy route-map' command.
Why it's wrong here
This is only needed if you want to apply PBR to locally generated packets, not for general PBR implementation.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
The first matching ACL entry is used.
There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
→Check inbound versus outbound direction.
→Read the ACL from top to bottom.
→Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 300-410 question in full detail.
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related 300-410 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Policy-Based Routing (PBR) — This question tests Policy-Based Routing (PBR) — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a route-map with match and set commands. — To implement PBR, you must create a route-map with match and set commands, then apply it to an interface using 'ip policy route-map'. Configuring an ACL is optional if match criteria use other methods. Enabling CEF is not required for PBR. The 'ip route' command is for static routing, not PBR. 'ip local policy route-map' is only for locally generated packets, not a general requirement.
What should I do if I get this 300-410 question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related 300-410 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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Question Discussion
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