This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of vrf and path isolation. 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 configures VRF-lite on a router with the following snippet:
vrf definition GREEN
rd 200:1
!
interface GigabitEthernet0/3
vrf forwarding GREEN
ip address 172.16.1.1 255.255.255.0
!
router ospf 10 vrf GREEN
network 172.16.1.0 0.0.0.255 area 0
What is missing from this configuration to enable proper OSPF routing within VRF GREEN?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The configuration is complete and OSPF will operate correctly within VRF GREEN.
Option A is correct because the configuration is complete for VRF-lite OSPF routing. In VRF-lite, the 'vrf definition GREEN' with an RD, the interface assignment via 'vrf forwarding GREEN', and the OSPF process with 'vrf GREEN' and the network statement are all that is required. OSPF will operate correctly within VRF GREEN using the specified network in area 0.
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 configuration is complete and OSPF will operate correctly within VRF GREEN.
Why this is correct
Correct. OSPF will run in VRF GREEN with the given commands; router-id can be auto-selected.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The 'network' command should specify the interface instead of the subnet.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. OSPF network commands use wildcard masks, not interface names.
✗
The 'vrf definition GREEN' must include a 'route-target' command.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Route-targets are needed for MPLS VPN, not for VRF-lite.
✗
The OSPF process must be configured under the global VRF context, not using 'vrf GREEN'.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. The 'vrf GREEN' keyword correctly associates OSPF with the VRF.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that VRF-lite requires 'route-target' commands, which are actually only necessary for MPLS VPNs, not for simple VRF-lite configurations.
Trap categories for this question
Keyword trap
Incorrect. The 'vrf GREEN' keyword correctly associates OSPF with the VRF.
Command / output trap
Incorrect. OSPF network commands use wildcard masks, not interface names.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
VRF-lite is a lightweight implementation that uses VRFs for path isolation without MPLS. The RD (Route Distinguisher) in 'vrf definition' makes routes unique, but no 'route-target' is needed because there is no MP-BGP exchange between PEs. OSPF uses the 'vrf' keyword to bind the process to the VRF, and the network statement matches the interface subnet to enable OSPF on that interface. In a real-world scenario, this is common for multi-tenant edge routers where each VRF has its own routing table and OSPF instance.
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 network engineer at a university connects two campus buildings via a fibre link. Both routers run OSPF, but no adjacency forms — even though both routers can ping each other. The engineer finds one router is in area 0 and the other in area 1. OSPF adjacency requires matching area numbers, hello/dead timers, and network type. IP reachability alone is not enough.
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: The configuration is complete and OSPF will operate correctly within VRF GREEN. — Option A is correct because the configuration is complete for VRF-lite OSPF routing. In VRF-lite, the 'vrf definition GREEN' with an RD, the interface assignment via 'vrf forwarding GREEN', and the OSPF process with 'vrf GREEN' and the network statement are all that is required. OSPF will operate correctly within VRF GREEN using the specified network in area 0.
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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