Question 1,179 of 2,015

SD-WAN Architecture →mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The answer is that the engineer configured the data policy under VPN 0 instead of the service VPN. This is incorrect because in Cisco SD-WAN, VPN 0 is the transport VPN that handles only overlay tunnel traffic and control-plane packets, while user traffic—including internet-bound traffic from branch LANs—resides in a service VPN such as VPN 10. A data policy applied to VPN 0 simply cannot match or steer that user traffic, so the default route toward the regional hub remains in effect. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of SD-WAN data policy scope and the critical distinction between transport and service VPNs. A common trap is assuming VPN 0 controls all traffic, but remember: VPN 0 is for the underlay, service VPNs are for the overlay user traffic. For local internet exit to work, the policy must target the correct service VPN. Memory tip: “Zero is for tunnels, service is for users.”

350-401 SD-WAN Architecture Practice Question

This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of sd-wan 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.

A network engineer is deploying a Cisco SD-WAN solution for a global enterprise with multiple regional hubs. The engineer wants to ensure that traffic from branch offices to the internet is always forwarded directly from the branch, even if the branch has a primary MPLS link and a backup broadband link. The engineer configures the vSmart policy to direct internet-bound traffic to use the local exit at the branch. However, after deployment, the engineer notices that some internet traffic is still being sent to the regional hub before reaching the internet. What is the most likely cause of this behavior?

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: "primary"
Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
Clue: "always"
Why it matters: Absolute qualifier. An answer using 'always' is only correct if there are genuinely no exceptions — absolute statements are often wrong in networking.

Question 1mediummultiple choice

Read the full MPLS explanation →

A
The engineer configured the data policy under VPN 0 instead of the service VPN (e.g., VPN 10).
Correct because VPN 0 is for transport, and internet traffic from the service side must be matched in the service VPN policy to enforce local exit.
B
The branch router does not have a default route in its routing table for the service VPN.
Why wrong: Incorrect because a missing default route would cause traffic to be dropped, not forwarded to the hub.
C
The engineer used a localized data policy instead of a centralized data policy.
Why wrong: Incorrect because a localized policy can also enforce local exit if applied correctly, but the root cause is the VPN mismatch.
D
The OMP route redistribution is not enabled on the branch router.
Why wrong: Incorrect because OMP is for overlay routes, not for directing internet traffic.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

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 engineer configured the data policy under VPN 0 instead of the service VPN (e.g., VPN 10).

Option A is correct because in Cisco SD-WAN, data policies that control traffic forwarding (such as forcing local internet exit) must be applied to the service VPN (e.g., VPN 10) where the branch’s LAN and internet-bound traffic resides. Configuring the policy under VPN 0 (the transport VPN) only affects overlay tunnel traffic and control-plane packets, not user traffic. Since the engineer applied the policy to VPN 0, the policy did not match internet-bound traffic in the service VPN, causing it to follow the default route toward the regional hub.

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 engineer configured the data policy under VPN 0 instead of the service VPN (e.g., VPN 10).
Why this is correct
Correct because VPN 0 is for transport, and internet traffic from the service side must be matched in the service VPN policy to enforce local exit.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "most likely", "primary", "always" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The branch router does not have a default route in its routing table for the service VPN.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because a missing default route would cause traffic to be dropped, not forwarded to the hub.
✗
The engineer used a localized data policy instead of a centralized data policy.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because a localized policy can also enforce local exit if applied correctly, but the root cause is the VPN mismatch.
✗
The OMP route redistribution is not enabled on the branch router.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because OMP is for overlay routes, not for directing internet traffic.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

Cisco often tests the distinction between VPN 0 and service VPNs in SD-WAN policy application, trapping candidates who assume any data policy applied globally will affect all traffic, when in fact the VPN context determines which traffic the policy matches.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

In Cisco SD-WAN, data policies are applied under a specific VPN and use match-action sequences to control how traffic is forwarded. VPN 0 is reserved for transport interfaces and OMP peering; policies there affect only tunnel encapsulation and control traffic. Service VPNs (e.g., VPN 10) carry user data, and a data policy applied there can match destination prefixes (e.g., 0.0.0.0/0) and set the next hop to a local interface (e.g., natpool or direct internet access). A common real-world scenario is when an engineer mistakenly applies a centralized data policy to VPN 0, causing internet traffic to still follow the OMP-learned default route to the hub instead of using the local broadband link.

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.

What to study next

Got this wrong? Here's your next step.

Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this 350-401 question test?

SD-WAN Architecture — This question tests SD-WAN Architecture — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: The engineer configured the data policy under VPN 0 instead of the service VPN (e.g., VPN 10). — Option A is correct because in Cisco SD-WAN, data policies that control traffic forwarding (such as forcing local internet exit) must be applied to the service VPN (e.g., VPN 10) where the branch’s LAN and internet-bound traffic resides. Configuring the policy under VPN 0 (the transport VPN) only affects overlay tunnel traffic and control-plane packets, not user traffic. Since the engineer applied the policy to VPN 0, the policy did not match internet-bound traffic in the service VPN, causing it to follow the default route toward the regional hub.

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.

Are there clue words in this question I should notice?

Yes — watch for: "most likely", "primary", "always". 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.

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