The answer is that the policy-map lacks an 'inspect' or 'pass' action for the matched traffic. In a zone-based firewall, when a class-map matches traffic but the corresponding policy-map does not explicitly include an action like 'inspect' or 'pass', the default behavior is to drop all matched packets. This is because ZBF operates on a default-deny paradigm—only traffic with a configured action is permitted, and any omission results in a silent drop. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this concept tests your understanding that a policy-map is not just a filter; it must define what to do with the traffic, and the common trap is assuming that simply matching traffic in a class-map is enough. A key memory tip is "no action, no passage"—if you forget the action, the firewall drops it like a hot potato.
350-401 Infrastructure Security Practice Question
This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of infrastructure security. 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 is configuring a zone-based firewall (ZBF) on a Cisco router to allow traffic from the inside zone to the outside zone while blocking traffic from outside to inside. The engineer creates zones, assigns interfaces, and configures a policy-map with a class-map that matches all traffic from inside to outside. The engineer applies the policy to the zone-pair inside-to-outside. However, traffic from inside to outside is being dropped. What is the most likely reason?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The policy-map does not include an 'inspect' or 'pass' action for the matched traffic.
In ZBF, the policy-map must include an action for the matched traffic. If the class-map matches traffic but the policy-map does not have an 'inspect' or 'pass' action, the default action is to drop. Option A is correct because the engineer likely omitted the action. Option B is incorrect because the zone-pair is correctly defined. Option C is incorrect because the class-map does not need to match return traffic; inspection handles that. Option D is incorrect because the policy is applied to the correct zone-pair.
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 policy-map does not include an 'inspect' or 'pass' action for the matched traffic.
Why this is correct
Correct because without an explicit action, ZBF drops all traffic.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The zone-pair should be configured as outside-to-inside instead.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because the zone-pair direction is correct for inside-to-outside traffic.
✗
The class-map must also match return traffic for the firewall to allow the session.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because inspection automatically allows return traffic.
✗
The policy-map is applied to the wrong zone-pair; it should be applied to the inside zone.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because policies are applied to zone-pairs, not zones.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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.
Identify which 350-401 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Infrastructure Security — This question tests Infrastructure Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The policy-map does not include an 'inspect' or 'pass' action for the matched traffic. — In ZBF, the policy-map must include an action for the matched traffic. If the class-map matches traffic but the policy-map does not have an 'inspect' or 'pass' action, the default action is to drop. Option A is correct because the engineer likely omitted the action. Option B is incorrect because the zone-pair is correctly defined. Option C is incorrect because the class-map does not need to match return traffic; inspection handles that. Option D is incorrect because the policy is applied to the correct zone-pair.
What should I do if I get this 350-401 question wrong?
Identify which 350-401 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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