The answer is that the 'redistribute bgp' command is missing under the VRF BGP address-family on the PE. In an MPLS L3VPN with eBGP as the PE-CE protocol, the PE learns VPN routes via BGP from the route reflector or other PEs, but those routes are stored in the global BGP table, not automatically injected into the VRF’s BGP process. Without the 'redistribute bgp' command under the VRF address-family, the PE will not advertise these routes to the CE, even though 'show bgp vpnv4 unicast all' marks them as valid and best. This scenario is a classic ENCOR 350-401 trap: candidates often assume that because the routes are in BGP, they will automatically be sent to the CE, but the VRF BGP process requires explicit redistribution. The exam tests your understanding of the separation between the global BGP table and the VRF-specific BGP instance. Remember the memory tip: "VRF BGP is a wall—redistribute BGP is the door."
350-401 MPLS Practice Question
This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of mpls. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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 configuring MPLS L3VPN with BGP as the PE-CE protocol. The customer uses eBGP between CE and PE. The engineer notices that the CE router is not receiving any VPN routes from the PE. The 'show bgp vpnv4 unicast all' on the PE shows the routes as valid and best. What is the most likely missing configuration?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The 'redistribute bgp' command is missing under the VRF BGP address-family on the PE.
In MPLS L3VPN, when using eBGP between PE and CE, the PE must redistribute BGP routes into the VRF BGP process. This is done using the 'redistribute bgp' command under the VRF address-family. Option A is correct. Option B is wrong because the routes are already in BGP; Option C is wrong because the session is up; Option D is wrong because the VRF is configured.
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 'redistribute bgp' command is missing under the VRF BGP address-family on the PE.
Why this is correct
Correct because without redistribution, the PE does not advertise VPN routes to the CE via eBGP.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "best", "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The BGP session between PE and CE is not established.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because the routes are in the VRF BGP table, indicating the session is up.
✗
The route-target import is not configured on the PE.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because the routes are already in the VRF BGP table, so import is working.
✗
The VRF is not configured on the PE.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because the VRF must be configured for the routes to be present.
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.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 350-401 question in full detail.
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.
MPLS — This question tests MPLS — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The 'redistribute bgp' command is missing under the VRF BGP address-family on the PE. — In MPLS L3VPN, when using eBGP between PE and CE, the PE must redistribute BGP routes into the VRF BGP process. This is done using the 'redistribute bgp' command under the VRF address-family. Option A is correct. Option B is wrong because the routes are already in BGP; Option C is wrong because the session is up; Option D is wrong because the VRF is configured.
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: "best", "most likely". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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 →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.