- A
The IP SLA operation is not configured with a timeout value, so it never times out.
Why wrong: Incorrect because the timeout is configured by default (5000 ms) and the output shows a timeout, but the operation remains active because no threshold is set to mark it as down.
- B
The IP SLA operation needs a threshold configured to mark the operation as 'down' when the RTT exceeds the threshold or a timeout occurs.
Correct. IP SLA uses thresholds to determine when an operation should be considered failed. Without a threshold, the operation stays active regardless of timeouts.
- C
The track object must be configured with a 'down' delay to allow the route to be removed.
Why wrong: Incorrect because the down delay only affects how long the track object waits before declaring the tracked object down; it does not cause the operation to fail to transition to down.
- D
The static route must be configured with a higher administrative distance to allow the IP SLA to remove it.
Why wrong: Incorrect because the administrative distance does not affect whether the route is removed by the track object; it only influences route selection when multiple routes exist.
350-401 IP SLA Practice Question
This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of ip sla. 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.
A network engineer configures an IP SLA on a Cisco router to monitor reachability to a critical server at 10.1.1.1 using ICMP echo. The IP SLA is used as a track object for a static default route. After deployment, the engineer notices that the static route is never removed from the routing table, even when the server is unreachable. The IP SLA operation shows 'State: Active' and 'Latest RTT: NoConnection/Busy/Timeout'. What is the most likely cause?
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:
"never"Why it matters: Absolute qualifier. True only if the statement has zero exceptions — be cautious of options that seem obvious but break down in edge cases.
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 IP SLA operation needs a threshold configured to mark the operation as 'down' when the RTT exceeds the threshold or a timeout occurs.
The IP SLA operation is not failing because the threshold has not been configured. Without a threshold, the operation never transitions to a 'down' state, so the track object never triggers the removal of the static route.
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 IP SLA operation is not configured with a timeout value, so it never times out.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because the timeout is configured by default (5000 ms) and the output shows a timeout, but the operation remains active because no threshold is set to mark it as down.
- ✓
The IP SLA operation needs a threshold configured to mark the operation as 'down' when the RTT exceeds the threshold or a timeout occurs.
Why this is correct
Correct. IP SLA uses thresholds to determine when an operation should be considered failed. Without a threshold, the operation stays active regardless of timeouts.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "most likely", "never" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The track object must be configured with a 'down' delay to allow the route to be removed.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because the down delay only affects how long the track object waits before declaring the tracked object down; it does not cause the operation to fail to transition to down.
- ✗
The static route must be configured with a higher administrative distance to allow the IP SLA to remove it.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because the administrative distance does not affect whether the route is removed by the track object; it only influences route selection when multiple routes exist.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Incorrect because the timeout is configured by default (5000 ms) and the output shows a timeout, but the operation remains active because no threshold is set to mark it as down.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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 practitioner preparing for the 350-401 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which 350-401 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 350-401 question test?
IP SLA — This question tests IP SLA — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The IP SLA operation needs a threshold configured to mark the operation as 'down' when the RTT exceeds the threshold or a timeout occurs. — The IP SLA operation is not failing because the threshold has not been configured. Without a threshold, the operation never transitions to a 'down' state, so the track object never triggers the removal of the static route.
What should I do if I get this 350-401 question wrong?
Identify which 350-401 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely", "never". 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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026
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