The answer is that this configuration sets the MED value to 50 for all routes sent to the neighbor 10.1.1.1. This is correct because the route-map named SET_MED, applied outbound to the BGP neighbor, permits all routes (since no match statement is present) and explicitly sets the Multi-Exit Discriminator (MED) metric to 50. MED is a BGP path attribute used to influence inbound traffic from the neighboring AS; a lower MED is preferred, so setting it to 50 makes this entry point less attractive compared to another path with a lower MED from the same neighbor. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of BGP path manipulation within SD-Access or traditional networks, often appearing in configuration analysis questions where a common trap is confusing MED with local preference—remember, MED is sent to the neighbor to influence their inbound path selection, while local preference influences outbound choices within your own AS. A quick memory tip: MED is the "metric for the neighbor's decision," so think "MED = My Exit Decision" for the other AS.
350-401 SD-Access Architecture Practice Question
This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of sd-access architecture. 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.
Examine the following BGP configuration:
router bgp 65001
bgp log-neighbor-changes
neighbor 10.1.1.1 remote-as 65002
neighbor 10.1.1.1 route-map SET_MED out
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
It sets the MED value to 50 for all routes sent to the neighbor 10.1.1.1.
The configuration applies a route-map named SET_MED to outbound updates toward neighbor 10.1.1.1. The route-map permits all routes (no match statement) and sets the Multi-Exit Discriminator (MED) to 50. MED is a BGP path attribute that influences inbound traffic from the neighbor AS, making this path less preferred if the neighbor has a lower MED from another entry point. Thus, all routes sent to 10.1.1.1 will carry a MED of 50.
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.
✓
It sets the MED value to 50 for all routes sent to the neighbor 10.1.1.1.
Why this is correct
The route-map is applied outbound, and the set metric command sets the MED attribute.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
It sets the local preference to 50 for routes received from the neighbor.
Why it's wrong here
Local preference is set with 'set local-preference', not 'set metric'. Also, the route-map is applied outbound.
✗
It filters routes with a metric of 50 from being advertised to the neighbor.
Why it's wrong here
The route-map permits all routes and sets the metric; it does not filter based on metric.
✗
It sets the weight to 50 for routes learned from the neighbor.
Why it's wrong here
Weight is set with 'set weight', and the route-map is applied outbound, not inbound.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between BGP path attributes (MED vs. local preference vs. weight) and the direction in which they are applied (inbound vs. outbound), causing candidates to confuse 'set metric' with 'set local-preference' or 'set weight'.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
MED is an optional non-transitive BGP attribute (RFC 4271) used to influence the best path selection in a neighboring AS when multiple entry points exist. Lower MED values are preferred, so setting MED to 50 makes the path less attractive compared to a path with a lower MED. In real-world scenarios, this is often used to control inbound traffic from a customer or peer AS, such as preferring a primary link over a backup link.
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 network engineer at a university connects two campus buildings via a fibre link. Both routers run OSPF, but no adjacency forms — even though both routers can ping each other. The engineer finds one router is in area 0 and the other in area 1. OSPF adjacency requires matching area numbers, hello/dead timers, and network type. IP reachability alone is not enough.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 350-401 question in full detail.
SD-Access Architecture — This question tests SD-Access Architecture — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: It sets the MED value to 50 for all routes sent to the neighbor 10.1.1.1. — The configuration applies a route-map named SET_MED to outbound updates toward neighbor 10.1.1.1. The route-map permits all routes (no match statement) and sets the Multi-Exit Discriminator (MED) to 50. MED is a BGP path attribute that influences inbound traffic from the neighbor AS, making this path less preferred if the neighbor has a lower MED from another entry point. Thus, all routes sent to 10.1.1.1 will carry a MED of 50.
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.
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