Question 1,535 of 2,015

EIGRP →mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The answer is that the variance 2 command causes EIGRP to install both the primary and backup routes, resulting in unequal-cost load balancing. This occurs because the variance multiplier allows EIGRP to include any feasible successor route in the routing table whose metric is within two times the best metric, or feasible distance. Since the backup link’s higher metric falls within that 2x range, EIGRP considers it a valid path and actively uses it alongside the primary, rather than reserving it solely for failover. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this question tests your understanding of how variance interacts with EIGRP’s feasibility condition—a common trap is confusing variance with simply enabling failover, when in fact it forces load sharing. Remember the memory tip: “Variance multiplies the metric, not the backup’s purpose”—if you want a true standby path, leave variance at its default of 1.

350-401 EIGRP Practice Question

This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of eigrp. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.

An engineer is troubleshooting an EIGRP convergence issue in a network with redundant links. The engineer notices that when a primary link fails, the backup link takes over immediately, but the routing table shows the route with a higher metric. The engineer wants to ensure that the backup link is used only when the primary fails, and that traffic is not load-balanced. The engineer has configured 'variance 2' on all routers. What is the most likely effect of this configuration?

Clue words in this question

Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.

Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Clue: "primary"
Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
Clue: "immediately / without restart"
Why it matters: Time or reboot constraint — the correct answer must take effect right away without requiring a reboot or reload.

Question 1mediummultiple choice

Study the full EIGRP explanation →

A
The variance 2 command causes EIGRP to install only the best metric route, so the backup link is not used.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Variance 2 allows routes with metrics up to twice the best metric to be installed, so the backup link may be used for load balancing.
B
The variance 2 command causes EIGRP to install both the primary and backup routes, resulting in unequal-cost load balancing.
Correct. With variance 2, if the backup route's metric is within twice the best metric, it will be installed and used for load balancing, which the engineer does not want.
C
The variance 2 command has no effect on route installation; it only affects the feasible successor selection.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Variance directly affects which routes are installed in the routing table, not just feasible successor selection.
D
The variance 2 command is used for equal-cost load balancing only.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Variance is specifically for unequal-cost load balancing. Equal-cost load balancing happens by default without variance.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

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

✓

The variance 2 command causes EIGRP to install both the primary and backup routes, resulting in unequal-cost load balancing.

The 'variance 2' command in EIGRP allows the router to install multiple routes to the same destination network in the routing table, even if their metrics are not equal, as long as the metric of the alternate route is within the variance multiplier (2x) of the best metric (the feasible distance). Since the backup link has a higher metric but is within the variance, EIGRP installs both routes, causing unequal-cost load balancing. This explains why the backup link is actively used for traffic, contrary to the engineer's desire to use it only as a failover.

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.

✗
The variance 2 command causes EIGRP to install only the best metric route, so the backup link is not used.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Variance 2 allows routes with metrics up to twice the best metric to be installed, so the backup link may be used for load balancing.
✓
The variance 2 command causes EIGRP to install both the primary and backup routes, resulting in unequal-cost load balancing.
Why this is correct
Correct. With variance 2, if the backup route's metric is within twice the best metric, it will be installed and used for load balancing, which the engineer does not want.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "most likely", "primary", "immediately / without restart" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The variance 2 command has no effect on route installation; it only affects the feasible successor selection.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Variance directly affects which routes are installed in the routing table, not just feasible successor selection.
✗
The variance 2 command is used for equal-cost load balancing only.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Variance is specifically for unequal-cost load balancing. Equal-cost load balancing happens by default without variance.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

Cisco often tests the misconception that 'variance' only affects feasible successor selection or that it is used for equal-cost load balancing, when in fact it directly controls the installation of multiple unequal-cost paths into the routing table.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

Under the hood, EIGRP uses the feasibility condition to determine if a route can be a feasible successor: the reported distance (RD) from the neighbor must be less than the current feasible distance (FD). The variance command then allows the router to install any feasible successor route whose metric is less than or equal to the FD multiplied by the variance value. In real-world scenarios, this is often misused when an engineer wants fast failover but inadvertently enables load sharing, which can cause suboptimal traffic distribution and potential congestion on slower backup links.

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

Got this wrong? Here's your next step.

Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this 350-401 question test?

EIGRP — This question tests EIGRP — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: The variance 2 command causes EIGRP to install both the primary and backup routes, resulting in unequal-cost load balancing. — The 'variance 2' command in EIGRP allows the router to install multiple routes to the same destination network in the routing table, even if their metrics are not equal, as long as the metric of the alternate route is within the variance multiplier (2x) of the best metric (the feasible distance). Since the backup link has a higher metric but is within the variance, EIGRP installs both routes, causing unequal-cost load balancing. This explains why the backup link is actively used for traffic, contrary to the engineer's desire to use it only as a failover.

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: "most likely", "primary", "immediately / without restart". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

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