This NSE7 practice question tests your understanding of advanced networking and sd-wan. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 FortiGate has two equal-cost paths to a destination network. ECMP is enabled. The administrator notices that all traffic uses the first path. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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.
ECMP is configured with 'spillover' mode
Why wrong: Spillover is for SD-WAN, not ECMP.
The second path is administratively down
Why wrong: Would not show as equal-cost.
ECMP is configured to use 'source-dest-ip' hash and all sessions are from same source to same destination
That hash would send all to same path.
The route metric is not equal
Why wrong: If equal-cost, they should be used.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
ECMP is configured to use 'source-dest-ip' hash and all sessions are from same source to same destination
ECMP distributes session flows, but if all traffic is using one path, it might be due to a session-based hash that results in the same path for all sessions, or the ECMP load balancing may be set to 'source-dest-ip' and the traffic is from one source to one destination. More likely, the ECMP load balancing mode is set to 'usage' or there is a policy-based route overriding.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
ECMP is configured with 'spillover' mode
Why it's wrong here
Spillover is for SD-WAN, not ECMP.
The second path is administratively down
Why it's wrong here
Would not show as equal-cost.
ECMP is configured to use 'source-dest-ip' hash and all sessions are from same source to same destination
Why this is correct
That hash would send all to same path.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "first", "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
The route metric is not equal
Why it's wrong here
If equal-cost, they should be used.
Common exam traps
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Would not show as equal-cost.
Detailed technical explanation
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related NSE7 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Advanced Networking and SD-WAN — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Advanced Networking and SD-WAN practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All NSE7 questions
1,000 questions across all exam domains
Fortinet NSE 7 Advanced Security NSE7 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
NSE7 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise NSE7 questions linked to Advanced Networking and SD-WAN.
Practise NSE7 questions linked to Advanced VPN and Zero Trust.
Practise NSE7 questions linked to Enterprise Firewall and VDOMs.
Practise NSE7 questions linked to Advanced Threat Protection.
Practise NSE7 questions linked to Troubleshooting and Diagnostics.
Practise NSE7 questions linked to NSE7 fundamentals.
Practise NSE7 questions linked to NSE7 scenario.
Practise NSE7 questions linked to NSE7 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Advanced Networking and SD-WAN — This question tests Advanced Networking and SD-WAN — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
The correct answer is: ECMP is configured to use 'source-dest-ip' hash and all sessions are from same source to same destination — ECMP distributes session flows, but if all traffic is using one path, it might be due to a session-based hash that results in the same path for all sessions, or the ECMP load balancing may be set to 'source-dest-ip' and the traffic is from one source to one destination. More likely, the ECMP load balancing mode is set to 'usage' or there is a policy-based route overriding.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related NSE7 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Yes — watch for: "first", "most likely". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
This NSE7 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Fortinet 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 NSE7 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.