350-401 Infrastructure Practice Question
A network engineer is implementing VXLAN with an Ethernet VPN (EVPN) control plane in a data center. The underlay is a Layer 3 IP network. The engineer wants to ensure that the VXLAN tunnel endpoints (VTEPs) can discover each other and that the fabric supports multihoming with all-active forwarding. Which technology should be used?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse underlay routing protocols like OSPF or multicast with the overlay control plane, or assuming that static VXLAN can provide dynamic discovery and multihoming.
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
✓
VXLAN with EVPN as the control plane
EVPN is the correct choice because it provides a scalable control plane for VXLAN, enabling automatic VTEP discovery and MAC learning via BGP. It also supports multihoming with all-active forwarding through Ethernet Segment configurations, which allows a device to connect to multiple VTEPs simultaneously. Other options either lack a control plane or do not support the required multihoming capabilities.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
VXLAN with static unicast flooding and no control plane
Why it's wrong here
Static unicast flooding requires manual configuration of remote VTEPs and does not provide automatic discovery or multihoming capabilities. It is a simple but unscalable method that lacks the dynamic control plane needed for all-active multihoming. This approach would not meet the requirement for automatic VTEP discovery and multihoming.
- ✗
VXLAN with PIM-SM multicast underlay
Why it's wrong here
Using PIM-SM for the underlay allows multicast replication for broadcast, unknown unicast, and multicast (BUM) traffic, but it does not provide a control plane for VTEP discovery or multihoming. It relies on data plane learning and does not support all-active multihoming. Therefore, it does not meet the requirement for EVPN-like multihoming and control plane functionality.
- ✗
VXLAN with OSPF as the underlay routing protocol
Why it's wrong here
OSPF is an underlay routing protocol that provides IP reachability between VTEPs, but it does not serve as a VXLAN control plane. It does not distribute MAC addresses or support multihoming with all-active forwarding. While OSPF is often used in the underlay, it does not fulfill the need for VTEP discovery or EVPN multihoming.
- ✓
VXLAN with EVPN as the control plane
Why this is correct
EVPN provides a standards-based control plane for VXLAN, enabling automatic VTEP discovery, MAC address learning, and support for multihoming with all-active forwarding. EVPN uses BGP to distribute MAC and IP reachability information, and it supports Ethernet Segment (ES) multihoming, which allows a host to connect to multiple VTEPs with all links active. This matches the requirements for dynamic discovery and all-active multihoming.
Quick reference
Access Control Model Comparison
| Model | Acronym | Who Controls Access? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discretionary Access Control | DAC | Resource owner | Small teams, file shares |
| Mandatory Access Control | MAC | System / security labels | Classified govt / military |
| Role-Based Access Control | RBAC | Administrator (via roles) | Enterprise environments |
| Attribute-Based Access Control | ABAC | Policy engine (user + resource attributes) | Fine-grained, dynamic policies |
| Rule-Based Access Control | RuBAC | System rules / ACLs | Firewall rules, network ACLs |
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Network Access Control and AAA
Key term
VXLAN
VXLAN is a network overlay technology that encapsulates Layer 2 Ethernet frames in UDP packets to extend VLANs across Layer 3 networks.
Key term
Cisco Virtual Topology System
Cisco Virtual Topology System is a software-defined networking solution that creates and manages virtual network overlays across physical and virtual infrastructure for enterprise networks.
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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 350-401 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 350-401 exam.