easyMultiple Select
300-410 Practice Question: Which TWO configuration steps are required to…
Which TWO configuration steps are required to implement Policy-Based Routing (PBR) on a Cisco router? (Choose TWO.)
⚠ Common exam trap
300-410 often tests the confusion between 'ip policy route-map' (for transit traffic on an interface) and 'ip local policy route-map' (for router-generated traffic); candidates may pick the local policy command or think CEF must be manually enabled, but the two required steps are route-map creation and interface application.
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
✓
Create a route-map with match and set commands.
Option A is correct because PBR is defined inside a route-map, where 'match' statements identify the traffic (typically via an ACL or prefix-list) and 'set' statements define the forwarding action such as 'set ip next-hop' or 'set interface'. Option B is correct because the route-map must be attached to the ingress interface with the interface-level command 'ip policy route-map <name>' for PBR to take effect on transit traffic. Option C is not required as a separate step because the ACL is referenced within the route-map's match statement rather than configured as an independent mandatory configuration element. Option D is not required because Cisco Express Forwarding is enabled by default on modern Cisco IOS platforms and is not a PBR-specific configuration step. Option E is incorrect for this scenario because 'ip local policy route-map' applies PBR to router-generated (locally sourced) traffic, not to traffic being routed through an interface.
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
PBR requires a route-map defining the match criteria identifying traffic and the set clauses specifying the next-hop or interface. Without this policy definition, the router has no instructions to deviate from destination-based forwarding, so creating the route-map is an essential configuration step before it can be applied.
- ✓
Apply the route-map to an interface using the 'ip policy route-map' command.
Why this is correct
A route-map has no effect until attached to an interface's ingress path via the 'ip policy route-map' command. This binding is what activates policy evaluation on received packets, satisfying the stem's requirement for a mandatory PBR configuration step alongside defining the route-map itself.
- ✗
Configure an access-list to match the traffic.
Why it's wrong here
An access-list is used inside the route-map's match statements, not as a standalone required step. PBR requires defining a route-map with match and set clauses and applying it to the interface, so the ACL alone is insufficient.
- ✗
Enable CEF globally.
Why it's wrong here
CEF is enabled by default on modern Cisco IOS and is not a PBR configuration step. PBR needs a route-map defining match criteria and set next-hop, plus interface application via 'ip policy route-map'; enabling CEF configures nothing for policy routing.
- ✗
Use the 'ip local policy route-map' command.
Why it's wrong here
'ip local policy route-map' applies PBR to router-generated traffic only, not to transit traffic being routed through interfaces. Interface-level 'ip policy route-map' is required for forwarded packets, so this command addresses the wrong traffic class.
Visual reference
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Related to this question
Learn chapter
BGP Route Selection and Policy
Key term
Policy Based Routing
Policy Based Routing (PBR) is a technology that allows network traffic to be forwarded based on user-defined policies rather than just the destination IP address in the routing table.
Key term
BGP Prefix Filtering
BGP Prefix Filtering is the practice of controlling which network routes (prefixes) a router accepts or advertises to its BGP neighbors, preventing unwanted or harmful routes from spreading across the internet.
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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.