The correct conclusion is that a QoS policy is applied inbound on GigabitEthernet0/0.900, policing both voice and data traffic. This is confirmed by the `Service-policy input: QOS_POLICY_VRF_G` line, which explicitly shows the policy direction and name, while the class maps reveal two distinct traffic classes: CLASS_VOICE matching DSCP EF (46) with a 1 Mbps police rate, and CLASS_DATA matching DSCP AF31 (26) with a 2 Mbps police rate, both using conform/transmit and exceed/violate drop actions. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, verifying QoS policy on a VRF interface tests your ability to read `show policy-map interface` output and distinguish between input and service policies, as well as recognize policing versus shaping. A common trap is assuming the policy is applied to the physical interface rather than the subinterface, or misreading the direction—always look for the `input:` or `output:` keyword after `Service-policy`. Memory tip: "Input is Incoming, Output is Outgoing—check the colon for direction."
350-401 VRF and Path Isolation Practice Question
This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of vrf and path isolation. 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.
A network engineer runs the following command on Router R9:
R9# show policy-map interface GigabitEthernet0/0.900
GigabitEthernet0/0.900
Service-policy input: QOS_POLICY_VRF_G
Class-map: CLASS_VOICE (match-all)
0 packets, 0 bytes
5 minute offered rate 0 bps, drop rate 0 bps
Match: ip dscp ef (46)
police:
cir 1000000 bps, bc 31250 bytes, be 31250 bytes
conformed 0 packets, 0 bytes; actions:
transmit
exceeded 0 packets, 0 bytes; actions:
drop
violated 0 packets, 0 bytes; actions:
drop
Class-map: CLASS_DATA (match-all)
0 packets, 0 bytes
5 minute offered rate 0 bps, drop rate 0 bps
Match: ip dscp af31 (26)
police:
cir 2000000 bps, bc 62500 bytes, be 62500 bytes
conformed 0 packets, 0 bytes; actions:
transmit
exceeded 0 packets, 0 bytes; actions:
drop
violated 0 packets, 0 bytes; actions:
drop
Class-map: class-default (match-any)
0 packets, 0 bytes
5 minute offered rate 0 bps, drop rate 0 bps
Match: any
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
A QoS policy is applied inbound on GigabitEthernet0/0.900, policing voice and data traffic
The output shows the 'Service-policy input: QOS_POLICY_VRF_G' line, confirming that a QoS policy is applied inbound on GigabitEthernet0/0.900. The policy contains two user-defined class maps: CLASS_VOICE (matching DSCP EF) with a police rate of 1 Mbps and CLASS_DATA (matching DSCP AF31) with a police rate of 2 Mbps, both with conform/transmit and exceed/violate drop actions. This demonstrates that both voice and data traffic are being policed, making option C correct.
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.
✗
No QoS policy is applied to this interface
Why it's wrong here
A service-policy is clearly shown.
✗
The policy only polices voice traffic
Why it's wrong here
Both voice and data classes are policed.
✓
A QoS policy is applied inbound on GigabitEthernet0/0.900, policing voice and data traffic
Why this is correct
The policy is applied input, with classes for voice (DSCP EF) and data (DSCP AF31), each with police actions.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The policy is applied outbound
Why it's wrong here
It says 'Service-policy input', so inbound.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the ability to read the 'Service-policy input' or 'output' direction in the command output, as candidates may overlook the direction keyword and incorrectly assume the policy is applied outbound or not applied at all.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
A service-policy is clearly shown.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The 'show policy-map interface' command displays the applied service policy and per-class statistics, including the police parameters (CIR, Bc, Be) and action counters. The 'conformed', 'exceeded', and 'violated' counters track packets that fall within the committed burst, exceed the committed burst but within the excess burst, or exceed the excess burst, respectively. In a real-world scenario, this configuration is typical for a VRF-aware QoS policy on a subinterface, ensuring voice traffic (DSCP EF) gets priority policing and data traffic (DSCP AF31) is rate-limited to protect voice quality.
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.
VRF and Path Isolation — This question tests VRF and Path Isolation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: A QoS policy is applied inbound on GigabitEthernet0/0.900, policing voice and data traffic — The output shows the 'Service-policy input: QOS_POLICY_VRF_G' line, confirming that a QoS policy is applied inbound on GigabitEthernet0/0.900. The policy contains two user-defined class maps: CLASS_VOICE (matching DSCP EF) with a police rate of 1 Mbps and CLASS_DATA (matching DSCP AF31) with a police rate of 2 Mbps, both with conform/transmit and exceed/violate drop actions. This demonstrates that both voice and data traffic are being policed, making option C correct.
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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