The answer is MED, or Multi-Exit Discriminator, which is the BGP attribute preferred when it has the lowest value. In BGP’s path selection algorithm, MED is used to influence inbound traffic from a neighboring AS by suggesting which path is more preferred, with a lower MED indicating a more desirable entry point. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this concept often appears in questions contrasting MED with attributes like weight and local preference, both of which are preferred with the highest value—a common trap for candidates who assume all BGP metrics follow the same rule. Remember that MED is the only major BGP attribute where lower is better, so a quick memory tip is to think “MED = Minimum Entry Desired,” reinforcing that the smallest number wins the path selection.
350-401 REST APIs and Data Models Practice Question
This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of rest apis and data models. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
Which BGP attribute is preferred when it has the lowest value?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
MED (Multi-Exit Discriminator)
BGP uses multiple attributes in its path selection algorithm. The weight attribute is Cisco-specific and is preferred with the highest value. The local preference is also preferred with the highest value. The MED (Multi-Exit Discriminator) is preferred with the lowest value.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Weight
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Weight is preferred with the highest value, not the lowest.
✗
Local Preference
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Local preference is preferred with the highest value.
✓
MED (Multi-Exit Discriminator)
Why this is correct
Correct. MED is a metric that is preferred with the lowest value.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
AS Path Length
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. AS path length is preferred with the shortest length (lowest number of ASes), but it is not a single value attribute like MED.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 350-401 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
REST APIs and Data Models — This question tests REST APIs and Data Models — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: MED (Multi-Exit Discriminator) — BGP uses multiple attributes in its path selection algorithm. The weight attribute is Cisco-specific and is preferred with the highest value. The local preference is also preferred with the highest value. The MED (Multi-Exit Discriminator) is preferred with the lowest value.
What should I do if I get this 350-401 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 350-401 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Question Discussion
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