The answer is that the route-map is not applied to any interface. This is correct because the `show route-map VRF_RED_MAP` output explicitly shows "Policy routing matches: 0 packets, 0 bytes," which indicates the route-map has never been evaluated for policy-based routing. Even though the match and set clauses are correctly configured, a route-map used for PBR must be bound to an incoming interface with the `ip policy route-map` command; without that application, the router never consults the route-map for traffic forwarding decisions. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of route-map verification in VRF contexts, where a common trap is assuming a correctly written match clause guarantees functionality. The exam often pairs this with VRF-aware PBR, so remember that a route-map is inert until it is explicitly tied to an interface. Memory tip: "No bind, no find"—if the route-map isn't bound to an interface, the router won't find any matches.
300-410 VRF-Lite Practice Question
This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of vrf-lite. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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.
A network engineer runs the following command on Router R1:
R1# show route-map VRF_RED_MAP
route-map VRF_RED_MAP, permit, sequence 10
Match clauses:
ip address prefix-list RED_PREFIXES
Set clauses:
tag 100
Policy routing matches: 0 packets, 0 bytes
The 0 packets matched suggests the route-map is not being used, likely because it is not applied.
B
The prefix-list RED_PREFIXES is empty.
Why wrong: The route-map may still match even if the prefix-list is empty, but the 0 packets could be due to no traffic; however, the most common cause is that the route-map is not applied.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The route-map is not applied to any interface.
The route-map VRF_RED_MAP has a match clause for prefix-list RED_PREFIXES and a set clause to tag 100. The policy routing matches show 0 packets, meaning the route-map has never been used. This could indicate that the route-map is not applied to any interface or that no traffic matches the prefix-list.
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.
✓
The route-map is not applied to any interface.
Why this is correct
The 0 packets matched suggests the route-map is not being used, likely because it is not applied.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
The prefix-list RED_PREFIXES is empty.
Why it's wrong here
The route-map may still match even if the prefix-list is empty, but the 0 packets could be due to no traffic; however, the most common cause is that the route-map is not applied.
✗
The set clause is incorrect.
Why it's wrong here
The set clause is valid.
✗
The route-map sequence is invalid.
Why it's wrong here
Sequence 10 is valid.
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.
VRF-Lite — This question tests VRF-Lite — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The route-map is not applied to any interface. — The route-map VRF_RED_MAP has a match clause for prefix-list RED_PREFIXES and a set clause to tag 100. The policy routing matches show 0 packets, meaning the route-map has never been used. This could indicate that the route-map is not applied to any interface or that no traffic matches the prefix-list.
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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