hardMultiple Select
350-401 Practice Question: Which three statements about VRF-lite are true?…
Which three statements about VRF-lite 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
✓
VRF-lite allows multiple routing instances on a single router using static or dynamic routing protocols.
VRF-lite is a technology that creates multiple independent routing and forwarding instances on a single physical router, and each VRF can run its own static routes or dynamic routing protocols such as OSPF, EIGRP, or BGP, which is exactly what option A states. Option B is correct because VRF-lite is essentially VRF without MPLS; it relies on separate routing/forwarding tables and interface assignment rather than label switching, so no MPLS infrastructure is needed. Option C is correct because the core mechanism of VRF-lite is path isolation through per-VRF routing tables (and associated FIBs), keeping traffic from different VRFs separate even though they share the same physical device. Option D is incorrect because MPLS VPN inter-AS option B is a feature of full MPLS L3VPN deployments involving ASBRs exchanging labeled VPNv4 routes, which is beyond VRF-lite's scope. Option E is incorrect because VRF-lite does not mandate BGP; any supported routing protocol or static routing can be used within each VRF.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
VRF-lite allows multiple routing instances on a single router using static or dynamic routing protocols.
Why this is correct
VRF-lite instantiates multiple independent routing and forwarding tables on one device, each running static routes or dynamic protocols such as OSPF or EIGRP. This satisfies the stem's requirement that the statement accurately describes VRF-lite's support for multiple routing instances per router.
- ✓
VRF-lite does not require MPLS to operate.
Why this is correct
VRF-lite operates purely as a local device configuration using separate routing tables; MPLS labels and LDP are not required. This satisfies the stem's requirement for a true statement, distinguishing VRF-lite from MPLS L3VPN, which does depend on label switching.
- ✓
VRF-lite provides path isolation by maintaining separate forwarding tables.
Why this is correct
Each VRF maintains its own separate forwarding table, so identical or overlapping address space remains isolated between instances. Traffic cannot leak between VRFs without explicit route leaking, satisfying the stem's requirement for a true statement about VRF-lite providing path isolation.
- ✗
VRF-lite supports MPLS VPN inter-AS option B.
Why it's wrong here
VRF-lite is a hop-by-hop, interface-based segmentation technique that keeps separate routing tables on a single device without MPLS labels, so it cannot participate in MPLS VPN inter-AS option B, which requires label exchange between autonomous systems. It is tempting because VRF-lite and MPLS VRFs share the same configuration syntax, leading candidates to assume the lite variant supports the same inter-AS designs.
- ✗
VRF-lite requires BGP as the routing protocol between VRFs.
Why it's wrong here
VRF-lite is routing-protocol agnostic: static routes, OSPF, EIGRP or BGP can all populate each VRF's table, so mandating BGP is false. It is tempting because BGP with route targets is the standard inter-VRF mechanism in full MPLS L3VPN, but VRF-lite needs no label distribution.
Visual reference
Quick reference
Routing Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Metric | Max Hops | Algorithm | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIP v2 | Hop count | 15 | Bellman-Ford | Distance vector |
| OSPF | Cost (bandwidth) | Unlimited | Dijkstra (SPF) | Link state |
| EIGRP | Composite metric | Unlimited | DUAL | Hybrid |
| IS-IS | Cost | Unlimited | Dijkstra | Link state |
| BGP | Policy / attributes | Unlimited | Path vector | Path vector |
RIP's 15-hop limit makes it unsuitable for large networks. OSPF and EIGRP dominate modern enterprise deployments.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
VLANs and Spanning Tree Protocol Concepts
Key term
Virtual Routing and Forwarding
Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF) is a technology that allows a single physical router to operate like multiple independent routers by keeping separate routing tables and forwarding decisions for each instance.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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