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350-401 Practice Question: The purpose of the 'ip sla schedule' command in…
What is the purpose of the 'ip sla schedule' command in IP SLA configuration?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between configuration commands (like defining the operation type or frequency) and the activation command ('ip sla schedule'), leading candidates to confuse the purpose of each command in the IP SLA workflow.
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
✓
It starts the IP SLA operation and sets its lifetime and start time.
The 'ip sla schedule' command is used to start an IP SLA operation and configure its lifetime and start time. Without this command, the IP SLA operation is configured but remains inactive. This command controls when the operation begins and how long it runs, which is essential for scheduled monitoring.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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It defines the type of IP SLA operation.
Why it's wrong here
The operation type is defined by the command that creates it, such as 'icmp-echo' or 'udp-jitter', not by scheduling. 'ip sla schedule' activates an already-defined operation and controls when it runs. Operation type is the right answer when asked how a probe is created.
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It sets the frequency of the IP SLA operation.
Why it's wrong here
The frequency of an IP SLA operation is set with the 'frequency' command inside the operation definition, not by scheduling. 'ip sla schedule' instead starts the operation and sets its lifetime and recurring behaviour. Frequency is the correct answer when the question asks how often probes run.
- ✓
It starts the IP SLA operation and sets its lifetime and start time.
Why this is correct
The ip sla schedule command activates a defined IP SLA operation and specifies when it begins and how long it remains active. Without scheduling, the operation stays pending and generates no probes, so no latency, jitter, or reachability statistics are collected.
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It configures threshold monitoring for the IP SLA operation.
Why it's wrong here
Threshold monitoring is configured with the 'ip sla reaction-configuration' command, which defines rising and falling thresholds and triggered reactions. 'ip sla schedule' only sets the operation's start time and life. It is tempting because scheduling and reaction settings are both part of an operation's lifecycle, but scheduling controls when the probe runs, not what values trigger alerts.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.