- A
Configure the maximum-paths command under the BGP address family and use the bgp bestpath as-path multipath-relax command.
Correct because maximum-paths allows multiple paths to be installed, and multipath-relax ignores AS_PATH length differences, enabling load balancing across different ASes.
- B
Configure the network command to advertise the default route from both ISPs.
Why wrong: Incorrect because the network command is used to originate routes, not to load balance incoming routes.
- C
Set the local preference to the same value on both default routes.
Why wrong: Incorrect because local preference is used for path selection, but even if equal, BGP still picks only one best path unless multipath is configured.
- D
Use the redistribute command to redistribute the default routes into BGP.
Why wrong: Incorrect because redistribution is not needed; the routes are already learned via BGP, and redistribution does not enable load balancing.
350-401 BGP Practice Question
This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of bgp. 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.
A network engineer is configuring BGP on a Cisco router that connects to two ISPs. The router has a default route pointing to each ISP. The engineer wants to load balance outbound traffic across both ISPs. The router receives a default route from both ISPs. Which BGP configuration approach will allow the router to install both default routes in the routing table and load balance traffic?
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
Configure the maximum-paths command under the BGP address family and use the bgp bestpath as-path multipath-relax command.
Option A is correct because the `maximum-paths` command under the BGP address family enables the router to install multiple paths for the same prefix (in this case, the default route 0.0.0.0/0) into the routing table. The `bgp bestpath as-path multipath-relax` command is necessary because the two default routes from different ISPs will have different AS_PATH lengths; this command relaxes the requirement for equal AS_PATH length, allowing the router to consider them as multipath candidates. Together, they allow both default routes to be installed and used for load balancing outbound traffic.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Configure the maximum-paths command under the BGP address family and use the bgp bestpath as-path multipath-relax command.
Why this is correct
Correct because maximum-paths allows multiple paths to be installed, and multipath-relax ignores AS_PATH length differences, enabling load balancing across different ASes.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Configure the network command to advertise the default route from both ISPs.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because the network command is used to originate routes, not to load balance incoming routes.
- ✗
Set the local preference to the same value on both default routes.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because local preference is used for path selection, but even if equal, BGP still picks only one best path unless multipath is configured.
- ✗
Use the redistribute command to redistribute the default routes into BGP.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because redistribution is not needed; the routes are already learned via BGP, and redistribution does not enable load balancing.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the nuance that simply having equal BGP path attributes (like local preference) does not enable multipath installation; candidates must remember that `maximum-paths` and `multipath-relax` are explicitly required to install and load balance multiple BGP routes, even for default routes.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Incorrect because the network command is used to originate routes, not to load balance incoming routes.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
By default, BGP installs only the single best path per prefix into the routing table, even if multiple paths are learned. The `maximum-paths` command (e.g., `maximum-paths 2`) allows BGP to install up to that many paths, but by default BGP requires equal AS_PATH length for multipath; `bgp bestpath as-path multipath-relax` (introduced in RFC 5065) removes that requirement, enabling load balancing across paths with different AS_PATH lengths, which is common when connecting to different ISPs. In a real-world scenario, this allows the router to send outbound traffic over both ISP links simultaneously, improving bandwidth utilization and redundancy.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 350-401 question test?
BGP — This question tests BGP — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure the maximum-paths command under the BGP address family and use the bgp bestpath as-path multipath-relax command. — Option A is correct because the `maximum-paths` command under the BGP address family enables the router to install multiple paths for the same prefix (in this case, the default route 0.0.0.0/0) into the routing table. The `bgp bestpath as-path multipath-relax` command is necessary because the two default routes from different ISPs will have different AS_PATH lengths; this command relaxes the requirement for equal AS_PATH length, allowing the router to consider them as multipath candidates. Together, they allow both default routes to be installed and used for load balancing outbound traffic.
What should I do if I get this 350-401 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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