Question 25 of 464
N10-009 Networking Concepts Practice Question
A network administrator is configuring BGP between two autonomous systems. Which BGP attribute is primarily used to influence inbound traffic to a particular AS?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse MED with Local Preference: candidates often pick Local Preference because it is a well-known attribute for path selection, but it influences outbound traffic from the local AS, not inbound traffic from a neighboring AS.
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
✓
MED (Multi-Exit Discriminator)
The Multi-Exit Discriminator (MED) is a BGP attribute used to influence inbound traffic from a neighboring AS when multiple entry points exist. A lower MED value is preferred, allowing an AS to advertise to its neighbor which path should be used to reach it, thereby influencing traffic entering the local AS.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
AS_PATH
Why it's wrong here
The AS_PATH attribute is a crucial BGP path selection criterion that lists the sequence of autonomous systems a route has traversed to reach its destination. While it is a fundamental part of BGP path selection, its primary influence is on outbound traffic from the local AS, as routers typically prefer paths with shorter AS_PATHs. It does not directly influence how a neighboring AS sends traffic into the local AS, but rather how the local AS chooses a path to reach a destination outside itself.
When this WOULD be correct
A question asking 'Which BGP attribute is used to prevent routing loops and influence path selection by prepending AS numbers?' would make AS_PATH correct.
- ✗
Next Hop
Why it's wrong here
The BGP Next Hop attribute specifies the IP address of the router that should be used to reach the advertised destination prefix. Its fundamental purpose is to ensure reachability to the next router in the path, allowing the BGP speaker to forward traffic correctly. While essential for packet forwarding, the Next Hop attribute itself does not serve as a mechanism to influence a neighboring AS's decision on which entry point to use for sending traffic into the local AS; it merely dictates where to send the traffic next.
When this WOULD be correct
In a BGP question asking which attribute is used to determine the next router for forwarding packets toward a destination network, Next Hop would be the correct answer.
- ✗
Local Preference
Why it's wrong here
Local Preference is a well-known discretionary BGP attribute used exclusively within an autonomous system (AS) to influence the outbound path selection for traffic leaving the AS. A higher local preference value indicates a more preferred exit point from the local AS when multiple paths are available. It is an internal attribute, meaning it is not advertised to external BGP (eBGP) peers, and therefore cannot be used to influence how a neighboring AS sends traffic into the local AS.
When this WOULD be correct
A network administrator wants to ensure that traffic from within the AS leaves via a specific EBGP peer when multiple paths exist to the same destination. In this case, Local Preference is the correct attribute to set a higher value on the preferred path.
- ✓
MED (Multi-Exit Discriminator)
Why this is correct
The Multi-Exit Discriminator (MED) is a BGP attribute exchanged between autonomous systems (ASes) to influence how a neighboring AS routes traffic into the advertising AS. When an AS has multiple entry points to a peer AS, the MED value, which is essentially a metric, allows the advertising AS to suggest which entry point is preferred for inbound traffic. A lower MED value indicates a more preferred path, guiding the external AS's routing decisions for traffic destined for the advertising AS.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The N10-009 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓MED (Multi-Exit Discriminator)Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
The Multi-Exit Discriminator (MED) is a BGP attribute exchanged between autonomous systems (ASes) to influence how a neighboring AS routes traffic into the advertising AS. When an AS has multiple entry points to a peer AS, the MED value, which is essentially a metric, allows the advertising AS to suggest which entry point is preferred for inbound traffic. A lower MED value indicates a more preferred path, guiding the external AS's routing decisions for traffic destined for the advertising AS.
✗AS_PATHWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
AS_PATH is used for loop prevention and path selection, but it primarily influences outbound traffic by affecting how routes are advertised, not inbound traffic to a particular AS.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A question asking 'Which BGP attribute is used to prevent routing loops and influence path selection by prepending AS numbers?' would make AS_PATH correct.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse AS_PATH with MED because both can influence path selection, but AS_PATH affects outbound traffic while MED affects inbound traffic.
✗Next HopWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The Next Hop attribute specifies the IP address of the next router to reach a destination, but it does not influence inbound traffic decisions; it is used for routing path selection, not traffic engineering into an AS.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a BGP question asking which attribute is used to determine the next router for forwarding packets toward a destination network, Next Hop would be the correct answer.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse Next Hop with a tool for traffic control because it is a mandatory BGP attribute involved in path selection, but they overlook that it does not affect inbound traffic preference.
✗Local PreferenceWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Local Preference is used to influence outbound traffic from an AS, not inbound traffic. It is a well-known discretionary attribute that is exchanged within an AS to affect the exit path for routes learned from EBGP peers.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A network administrator wants to ensure that traffic from within the AS leaves via a specific EBGP peer when multiple paths exist to the same destination. In this case, Local Preference is the correct attribute to set a higher value on the preferred path.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse Local Preference with MED because both are used for path selection, but they operate in opposite directions: Local Preference influences outbound traffic, while MED influences inbound traffic.
Analysis generated from the official N10-009blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This N10-009 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the N10-009 exam.
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