easyMultiple Select
350-401 Practice Question: Which two statements about network design for…
Which two statements about network design for high availability are true? (Choose two.)
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming HSRP load-balances by default; candidates who confuse HSRP with GLBP pick option B, but HSRP is active/standby only.
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
✓
HSRP allows two or more routers to share a virtual IP address, providing default gateway redundancy.
Option A is correct because HSRP (Hot Standby Router Protocol) lets two or more routers form a group that shares a single virtual IP address and virtual MAC address, so hosts use that virtual IP as their default gateway and failover to a standby router occurs transparently if the active router fails. Option C is correct because StackWise Virtual (Cisco StackWise Virtual / VSS-style technology) combines two physical switches into one logical switch with a single control plane and management interface, so if one chassis fails the other continues forwarding, providing device-level redundancy. Option B is wrong because HSRP is active/standby by design and does not load-balance traffic across all group members (that requires GLBP or MHSRP). Option D is wrong because a single uplink is a single point of failure; high availability requires redundant uplinks or an EtherChannel. Option E is wrong because redundant links between switches create Layer 2 loops, so STP (or a loop-prevention mechanism like RSTP/MSTP) is required to block redundant paths.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
HSRP allows two or more routers to share a virtual IP address, providing default gateway redundancy.
Why this is correct
HSRP satisfies the default gateway redundancy constraint by having routers share a virtual IP and MAC address, so hosts keep one gateway address. The active router forwards traffic; if it fails, the standby assumes the virtual address, preserving gateway availability without host reconfiguration.
- ✗
HSRP automatically load-balances traffic across all routers in the group.
Why it's wrong here
HSRP elects one active and one standby router; it does not distribute traffic across the group. It is tempting because GLBP provides gateway load balancing, and HSRP is often assumed to behave the same way since both are first-hop redundancy protocols.
- ✓
StackWise Virtual allows two physical switches to operate as a single logical switch for redundancy.
Why this is correct
StackWise Virtual combines two physical switches into one logical entity, so a single control plane manages both and failover occurs without protocol reconvergence. This satisfies the high-availability requirement by removing spanning-tree blocking and enabling active-active forwarding across both chassis, eliminating the single points of failure inherent in standalone switch designs.
- ✗
A single uplink from an access switch to the distribution layer is sufficient for high availability.
Why it's wrong here
A single uplink creates a lone path, so its failure severs the access switch entirely; high availability requires redundant links or stacked switches. It is tempting because single uplinks are common in small or budget-constrained access designs where resilience is not the requirement.
- ✗
Redundant links between switches do not require Spanning Tree Protocol to prevent loops.
Why it's wrong here
Redundant links between switches form Layer 2 loops, so STP (or an alternative such as FabricPath or VXLAN) must block them; without it, broadcast storms occur. It is tempting because loop prevention is sometimes offloaded to routing or MLAG designs, but plain redundant links still need STP.
Visual reference
Quick reference
Access Control Model Comparison
| Model | Acronym | Who Controls Access? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discretionary Access Control | DAC | Resource owner | Small teams, file shares |
| Mandatory Access Control | MAC | System / security labels | Classified govt / military |
| Role-Based Access Control | RBAC | Administrator (via roles) | Enterprise environments |
| Attribute-Based Access Control | ABAC | Policy engine (user + resource attributes) | Fine-grained, dynamic policies |
| Rule-Based Access Control | RuBAC | System rules / ACLs | Firewall rules, network ACLs |
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
EtherChannel and Advanced Switching Technologies
Key term
HSRP vs VRRP vs GLBP
HSRP, VRRP, and GLBP are network protocols that provide high availability by allowing multiple routers to work together as a single virtual router, ensuring that if one router fails, another automatically takes over without disrupting the network.
Key term
First Hop Redundancy Protocol
A First Hop Redundancy Protocol provides automatic backup for the default gateway router on a network so that devices keep working if the primary router fails.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
This 350-401 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 350-401 exam.