The answer is that both neighbors are iBGP peers exchanging VPNv4 prefixes. This is correct because the `show bgp vpnv4 unicast all summary` command reveals that both neighbors, 192.168.1.1 and 192.168.2.2, share the same local AS number 65000, confirming they are internal BGP peers, and the State/PfxRcd column shows they have received 5 and 3 prefixes respectively, indicating active VPNv4 route exchange. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, verifying BGP VPNv4 peering tests your understanding of MPLS Layer 3 VPN control plane operations, where iBGP must carry customer VPN routes within the service provider backbone. A common trap is confusing this with IPv4 unicast peering—remember that the “vpnv4 unicast all” keyword specifically targets the VPN address family, not global IPv4 routes. Memory tip: “Same AS, VPNv4 prefixes = iBGP for MPLS VPNs.”
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 R3:
R3# show bgp vpnv4 unicast all summary
BGP router identifier 10.0.0.3, local AS number 65000
BGP table version is 10, main routing table version 10
10 network entries using 1440 bytes of memory
10 path entries using 1360 bytes of memory
6/5 BGP path/bestpath attribute entries using 840 bytes of memory
4 BGP AS-PATH entries using 112 bytes of memory
0 BGP route-map cache entries using 0 bytes of memory
0 BGP filter-list cache entries using 0 bytes of memory
BGP using 3752 total bytes of memory
BGP activity 20/10 prefixes, 20/10 paths, scan interval 60 secs
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Both neighbors are iBGP peers exchanging VPNv4 prefixes
The command `show bgp vpnv4 unicast all summary` displays BGP VPNv4 unicast summary information for all VRFs. Both neighbors (192.168.1.1 and 192.168.2.2) are in the same AS 65000, and the output shows they are exchanging VPNv4 prefixes (State/PfxRcd shows 5 and 3 prefixes received). This confirms they are iBGP peers within the same AS, specifically for VPNv4 address family, which is used in MPLS Layer 3 VPN environments to carry customer VPN routes.
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.
✗
Both neighbors are eBGP peers
Why it's wrong here
Both have AS 65000, matching the local AS, so they are iBGP peers.
✓
Both neighbors are iBGP peers exchanging VPNv4 prefixes
Why this is correct
The local AS is 65000 and both neighbors have the same AS, indicating iBGP. PfxRcd shows prefixes received.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The neighbor 192.168.1.1 is not receiving any prefixes
Why it's wrong here
PfxRcd for 192.168.1.1 is 5, so it is receiving prefixes.
✗
The BGP table has 20 prefixes
Why it's wrong here
The output shows 10 network entries, not 20.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between eBGP and iBGP by using the same AS number in the output, and candidates may overlook that the `vpnv4 unicast all` address family is specifically for MPLS VPN iBGP peering, not for standard IPv4 unicast.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The output shows 10 network entries, not 20.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In MPLS Layer 3 VPNs, VPNv4 prefixes carry both IPv4 routes and a Route Distinguisher (RD) to make them unique across VRFs. The `all` keyword in the command shows summary for all VRFs, and the iBGP peers exchange these VPNv4 routes using the BGP multiprotocol extensions (RFC 4760). The Up/Down times (01:23:45 and 00:45:12) indicate stable sessions, and the TblVer being the same (10) for both peers confirms the BGP table is synchronized.
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: Both neighbors are iBGP peers exchanging VPNv4 prefixes — The command `show bgp vpnv4 unicast all summary` displays BGP VPNv4 unicast summary information for all VRFs. Both neighbors (192.168.1.1 and 192.168.2.2) are in the same AS 65000, and the output shows they are exchanging VPNv4 prefixes (State/PfxRcd shows 5 and 3 prefixes received). This confirms they are iBGP peers within the same AS, specifically for VPNv4 address family, which is used in MPLS Layer 3 VPN environments to carry customer VPN routes.
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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