The answer is that VOICE traffic assigned to priority level 1 is always transmitted before VIDEO traffic assigned to priority level 2, and both streams are subject to policing. This is correct because the `priority level` command enables multiple priority queues with distinct scheduling hierarchies; level 1 holds the highest scheduling precedence, ensuring that latency-sensitive voice packets are dequeued first, while level 2 traffic is serviced only after level 1 queues are empty. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this concept tests your understanding of hierarchical priority queuing within a single policy map, often appearing in QoS scenarios where you must differentiate between strict priority and multiple priority levels. A common trap is assuming both classes share the same priority or that policing is optional—remember, the police command enforces a committed information rate (CIR) on each priority class independently. Memory tip: think of priority levels like a VIP line—Level 1 is the front of the line, Level 2 is the second row, and both still have a bouncer (policing) checking their rate.
350-401 QoS Architecture Practice Question
This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of qos architecture. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
Consider the following configuration:
policy-map QUEUE_POLICY
class VOICE
priority level 1
police cir 1000000
class VIDEO
priority level 2
police cir 2000000
class class-default
fair-queue
What is the effect of using priority level 1 and priority level 2?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
VOICE traffic (level 1) is always sent before VIDEO traffic (level 2), and both are policed.
The 'priority level' command under a class in a policy-map allows multiple priority queues with different levels. Level 1 is the highest priority, so VOICE traffic (level 1) is always scheduled before VIDEO traffic (level 2). Both classes are also subject to policing, which enforces a maximum rate (CIR) and drops or remarks excess traffic. This ensures low-latency treatment for VOICE while still providing priority queuing for VIDEO, but with a lower scheduling preference.
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.
✓
VOICE traffic (level 1) is always sent before VIDEO traffic (level 2), and both are policed.
Why this is correct
Priority levels allow multiple strict priority queues with a hierarchy.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
VOICE and VIDEO traffic are treated equally and share the priority bandwidth.
Why it's wrong here
Level 1 has higher priority than level 2, so they are not equal.
✗
VIDEO traffic (level 2) is sent before VOICE traffic (level 1) because it has a higher police rate.
Why it's wrong here
Priority level determines order, not the police rate.
✗
This configuration is invalid because only one priority level is allowed.
Why it's wrong here
Multiple priority levels are supported on some platforms (e.g., ASR 1000).
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume only one priority queue is allowed per policy-map, but Cisco tests the 'priority level' feature which permits multiple priority queues with hierarchical strict scheduling.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the 'priority level' command maps to the MQC (Modular QoS CLI) framework and uses a strict-priority scheduler where level 1 queues are serviced before level 2, and so on. Policing is applied independently to each priority class, so even if VIDEO traffic is not congested, it cannot exceed its CIR. In real-world scenarios, this is used to ensure voice (e.g., VoIP) is never delayed by video (e.g., IPTV) while still providing a guaranteed bandwidth cap for each.
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 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.
QoS Architecture — This question tests QoS Architecture — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: VOICE traffic (level 1) is always sent before VIDEO traffic (level 2), and both are policed. — The 'priority level' command under a class in a policy-map allows multiple priority queues with different levels. Level 1 is the highest priority, so VOICE traffic (level 1) is always scheduled before VIDEO traffic (level 2). Both classes are also subject to policing, which enforces a maximum rate (CIR) and drops or remarks excess traffic. This ensures low-latency treatment for VOICE while still providing priority queuing for VIDEO, but with a lower scheduling preference.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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