The answer is that Path #2 is the best path because it has a shorter AS_PATH length. BGP’s best path selection algorithm evaluates multiple attributes in a strict order, and after comparing weight, local preference, and locally originated routes, the next tiebreaker is the AS_PATH length. In the output, Path #2 shows an AS_PATH of ‘65050’ (a single AS hop), while Path #1 shows ‘65050 65100’ (two AS hops), so the shorter path is preferred. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this concept tests your ability to read the show bgp output and apply the BGP path selection steps correctly—a common trap is forgetting that AS_PATH length counts the number of AS numbers in the path, not the number of routers. Remember the mnemonic “We Love Oranges AS Oranges” (Weight, Local Pref, Originate, AS_PATH) to keep the order straight: shorter AS_PATH wins every time until the next tiebreaker is needed.
350-401 BGP Practice Question
This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of bgp. 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 bgp ipv4 unicast 10.0.0.0/8
BGP routing table entry for 10.0.0.0/8, version 25
Paths: (2 available, best #2, table default)
Advertised to update-groups:
1
Refresh Epoch 1
65050 65100
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Path #2 is the best path because it has a shorter AS_PATH.
BGP selects the best path based on a set of well-defined tie-breaking rules. After comparing weight, local preference, and origin, the next step is AS_PATH length. Path #2 has an AS_PATH of '65050' (one AS), while Path #1 has '65050 65100' (two ASes). Since a shorter AS_PATH is preferred, Path #2 is chosen as the best path, making option B correct.
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.
✗
Path #1 is the best path because it has a longer AS_PATH, indicating more specific routing.
Path #2 is the best path because it has a shorter AS_PATH.
Why this is correct
Path #2 has AS_PATH length 1 (65050) while path #1 has length 2 (65050 65100). Shorter AS_PATH is preferred.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Both paths are equally preferred, and BGP uses tie-breaking rules like router ID.
Why it's wrong here
The paths are not equal because AS_PATH lengths differ.
✗
Path #2 is the best path because it is received from a higher IP address.
Why it's wrong here
The best path selection is based on AS_PATH length, not neighbor IP address.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the BGP best-path selection order, and the trap here is that candidates may assume that a longer AS_PATH indicates a more specific or preferred route, or that the path with the higher neighbor IP address is chosen, when in fact BGP strictly prefers the shortest AS_PATH at this stage of the decision process.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The BGP best-path selection algorithm follows a strict order of comparisons: highest weight, highest local preference, locally originated vs. learned, shortest AS_PATH, lowest origin type, lowest MED, eBGP over iBGP, lowest IGP metric to next-hop, and finally lowest router ID. In this output, both paths have equal weight (0), local preference (100), and origin (IGP), so the algorithm moves to AS_PATH length. The 'show bgp ipv4 unicast' command output explicitly marks Path #2 as 'best' due to its shorter AS_PATH. In real-world scenarios, AS_PATH prepending is a common technique used to influence inbound traffic by artificially lengthening the AS_PATH, demonstrating the practical importance of this rule.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 350-401 question in full detail.
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: Path #2 is the best path because it has a shorter AS_PATH. — BGP selects the best path based on a set of well-defined tie-breaking rules. After comparing weight, local preference, and origin, the next step is AS_PATH length. Path #2 has an AS_PATH of '65050' (one AS), while Path #1 has '65050 65100' (two ASes). Since a shorter AS_PATH is preferred, Path #2 is chosen as the best path, making option B correct.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A network engineer runs the following command on Router R1:
R1# show bgp ipv4 unicast 10.10.10.0
BGP routing table entry for 10.10.10.0/24, version 20
Paths: (2 available, best #1, table default)
Advertised to update-groups:
1
Refresh Epoch 1
65050 65100
10.0.1.2 from 10.0.1.2 (10.0.0.2)
Origin IGP, metric 0, localpref 100, weight 0, valid, external, best
rx pathid: 0, tx pathid: 0x0
65050 65100 65200
10.0.1.3 from 10.0.1.3 (10.0.0.3)
Origin IGP, metric 0, localpref 100, weight 0, valid, external
rx pathid: 0, tx pathid: 0x0
Based on this output, what can be concluded?
hard
A.Path #2 is the best path because it has a longer AS_PATH, indicating more specific routing.
✓ B.Path #1 is the best path because it has a shorter AS_PATH length.
C.Both paths are equally preferred, and BGP uses tie-breaking rules like router ID.
D.Path #1 is the best path because it is received from a higher IP address.
Why B: B is correct because BGP selects the best path based on the shortest AS_PATH length when all other attributes (weight, local preference, origin) are equal. In the output, Path #1 has an AS_PATH of '65050 65100' (2 AS numbers) while Path #2 has '65050 65100 65200' (3 AS numbers), making Path #1 the best path. The 'best #1' annotation confirms this selection.
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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