NSE7 Advanced Networking and SD-WAN Practice Question
A FortiGate is configured with BGP to an SD-WAN member link. The administrator wants to prefer one link over another for specific routes based on AS path length. Which THREE configurations can influence BGP path selection? (Choose three.)
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse 'set aspath' (which replaces the entire AS path) with AS path prepending, or they incorrectly think MED directly relates to AS path length, when in fact MED is a separate metric that only applies within the same 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
✓
Use a route map to prepend AS numbers to the AS path for the less preferred link.
Prepending AS numbers to the AS path of the less preferred link artificially lengthens the AS path, making that route less attractive in BGP path selection. BGP prefers the shortest AS path, so the link without prepending will be chosen for the specific routes.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Set the metric (MED) to a lower value on the desired link.
Why it's wrong here
MED is compared after AS path length; it can influence but AS path length takes precedence.
- ✓
Use a route map to prepend AS numbers to the AS path for the less preferred link.
Why this is correct
AS path prepending makes the path longer, thus less preferred.
- ✗
Configure the 'set aspath' command in a route map to change the AS path.
Why it's wrong here
There is no 'set aspath' command; the correct command is 'set aspath prepend'.
- ✓
Set a higher local preference on the desired link.
Why this is correct
Higher local preference is preferred in BGP path selection before AS path length.
- ✓
Configure weight on the neighbor to prefer routes from that neighbor.
Why this is correct
Weight is a Cisco-proprietary attribute but FortiGate supports a similar concept via 'set weight' on the neighbor, which influences local preference.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.