hardMultiple SelectObjective-mapped
350-401 Practice Question: Which three statements about Multiple Spanning…
Which three statements about Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (MSTP) are true? (Choose three.)
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
✓
MSTP allows multiple VLANs to be grouped into a single spanning-tree instance, reducing CPU and memory usage.
MSTP (IEEE 802.1s) allows multiple VLANs to be mapped to a single spanning-tree instance (MST instance), reducing the number of STP instances needed. It uses an Internal Spanning Tree (IST) instance (instance 0) that always runs and carries BPDUs for the region. Switches in the same MST region must have identical VLAN-to-instance mappings, revision number, and region name. MSTP interoperates with Rapid PVST+ at region boundaries by using PVST simulation mode. MSTP does not require a separate root bridge for each VLAN; instead, each MST instance has its own root bridge.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
MSTP allows multiple VLANs to be grouped into a single spanning-tree instance, reducing CPU and memory usage.
Why this is correct
Correct. This is the primary benefit of MSTP: mapping many VLANs to fewer STP instances.
- ✓
In MSTP, the Internal Spanning Tree (IST) instance is instance 0 and is always present in every MST region.
Why this is correct
Correct. IST (instance 0) is mandatory and provides connectivity within the region and to other regions.
- ✓
MSTP requires that all switches in the same MST region have the same VLAN-to-instance mapping, revision number, and region name.
Why this is correct
Correct. These three parameters define an MST region; mismatches cause switches to treat each other as separate regions.
- ✗
MSTP automatically load-balances traffic across all available uplinks without any configuration.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. MSTP does not automatically load-balance; you must manually map VLANs to different instances to achieve load balancing.
- ✗
MSTP requires a separate root bridge to be elected for each VLAN in the network.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. In MSTP, a root bridge is elected per MST instance, not per VLAN. Multiple VLANs share the same root within an instance.
Visual reference
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
This 350-401 question is part of Courseiva's 1,175-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.