- A
The policy is not attached to the correct VPN or site list.
Correct. In vManage, policies must be associated with specific VPNs or sites. If the policy is not attached to the VPN that carries voice traffic, it will not be applied.
- B
The voice traffic is using a different DSCP value than the one defined in the policy.
Why wrong: Incorrect. The scenario states that the policy sets the preferred color for voice traffic. If the traffic does not match the policy match criteria, it would not be affected, but the question implies the policy is correctly matching voice traffic.
- C
The MPLS link is not in the 'up' state in the vManage overlay.
Why wrong: Incorrect. The scenario says the MPLS link is up, so this is not the cause.
- D
The policy is configured as a local policy instead of a centralized policy.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Both centralized and local policies can set preferred color. The issue is more likely related to policy attachment or application order.
Quick Answer
The answer is that the policy is not attached to the correct VPN or site list. In Cisco SD-WAN, a centralized data policy defines the preferred color for traffic, but this policy only takes effect when it is explicitly applied to a specific VPN or site list via the vManage policy configuration. If the policy is correctly configured to set the preferred color to 'mpls' for voice traffic but is not attached to the VPN containing the voice subnet or the site list of the affected WAN edge routers, the routers will ignore the policy and fall back to default routing behavior, which may use the Internet link. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of policy attachment scope versus policy definition—a common trap is assuming a configured policy is automatically active. Remember the memory tip: “Define it, then bind it—no attachment, no enforcement.”
350-401 WAN Technologies Practice Question
This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of wan technologies. 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.
An engineer is deploying a new SD-WAN solution using Cisco vManage. The WAN edge routers are connected to two different transport networks: MPLS and Internet. The engineer wants to ensure that voice traffic is always sent over the MPLS link when available, and only fails over to the Internet link if the MPLS link goes down. The engineer has configured a policy to set the preferred color for voice traffic to 'mpls'. However, during a test, voice traffic is still using the Internet link even though the MPLS link is up. 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:
"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.
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 policy is not attached to the correct VPN or site list.
In Cisco SD-WAN, policy is applied in a specific order: centralized data policy, centralized app-route policy, and then local policy. The preferred color is set in the centralized data policy, but if there is also a centralized app-route policy that does not consider the preferred color, or if the policy is not properly attached to the correct VPN or site, it may not take effect. Additionally, the policy must be applied to the correct direction (service-side vs. transport-side).
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 policy is not attached to the correct VPN or site list.
Why this is correct
Correct. In vManage, policies must be associated with specific VPNs or sites. If the policy is not attached to the VPN that carries voice traffic, it will not be applied.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "most likely", "always" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The voice traffic is using a different DSCP value than the one defined in the policy.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. The scenario states that the policy sets the preferred color for voice traffic. If the traffic does not match the policy match criteria, it would not be affected, but the question implies the policy is correctly matching voice traffic.
- ✗
The MPLS link is not in the 'up' state in the vManage overlay.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. The scenario says the MPLS link is up, so this is not the cause.
- ✗
The policy is configured as a local policy instead of a centralized policy.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Both centralized and local policies can set preferred color. The issue is more likely related to policy attachment or application order.
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
Scenario analysis trap
Incorrect. The scenario states that the policy sets the preferred color for voice traffic. If the traffic does not match the policy match criteria, it would not be affected, but the question implies the policy is correctly matching voice traffic.
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?
WAN Technologies — This question tests WAN Technologies — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The policy is not attached to the correct VPN or site list. — In Cisco SD-WAN, policy is applied in a specific order: centralized data policy, centralized app-route policy, and then local policy. The preferred color is set in the centralized data policy, but if there is also a centralized app-route policy that does not consider the preferred color, or if the policy is not properly attached to the correct VPN or site, it may not take effect. Additionally, the policy must be applied to the correct direction (service-side vs. transport-side).
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", "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.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026
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.
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