The answer is to create a separate SD-WAN rule for critical traffic with the strategy set to 'Manual' and select MPLS as the preferred member, while using the 'Maximize Bandwidth' strategy with a volume-based algorithm for the remaining traffic. This works because the volume algorithm distributes sessions proportionally to each link’s bandwidth, achieving load balancing by bandwidth, while the Manual strategy on a dedicated rule allows you to override that logic and explicitly steer critical traffic to the MPLS link. On the Fortinet NSE 7 Advanced Security NSE7 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of SD-WAN rule precedence and strategy types—a common trap is confusing the 'Maximize Bandwidth' strategy with 'Best Quality' or forgetting that Manual steering requires a separate rule with a higher priority. Remember the memory tip: "Volume for balance, Manual for control"—the volume algorithm handles bandwidth distribution, while Manual gives you the steering override.
NSE7 Advanced Networking and SD-WAN Practice Question
This NSE7 practice question tests your understanding of advanced networking and sd-wan. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 administrator is configuring SD-WAN on a FortiGate with three WAN links: MPLS (10 Mbps), Broadband (50 Mbps), and LTE (20 Mbps). They want to load balance traffic based on link bandwidth, with the option to manually steer critical traffic to the MPLS link. Which TWO steps must be taken to achieve this?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Set the SD-WAN rule strategy to 'Maximize Bandwidth' with volume algorithm for general traffic.
To load balance based on bandwidth, the 'Maximize Bandwidth' strategy with volume algorithm should be used. To allow manual steering, the SD-WAN rule for critical traffic should be set to 'Manual' strategy with MPLS selected as the preferred member. Options B and D together satisfy both requirements.
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.
✓
Set the SD-WAN rule strategy to 'Maximize Bandwidth' with volume algorithm for general traffic.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Create a separate SD-WAN rule for critical traffic with strategy 'Manual' and select MPLS as the preferred member.
Why this is correct
This allows manual steering of critical traffic to MPLS.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Set the load balancing algorithm to 'Spillover' on all rules.
Why it's wrong here
Spillover would not load balance based on bandwidth and does not allow manual steering.
✗
Enable ECMP on the FortiGate.
Why it's wrong here
ECMP is for equal-cost routes, not SD-WAN load balancing.
✗
Configure a performance SLA for each link.
Why it's wrong here
Performance SLAs are for monitoring link quality, not for bandwidth-based load balancing.
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 NSE7 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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which NSE7 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.
Advanced Networking and SD-WAN — This question tests Advanced Networking and SD-WAN — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Set the SD-WAN rule strategy to 'Maximize Bandwidth' with volume algorithm for general traffic. — To load balance based on bandwidth, the 'Maximize Bandwidth' strategy with volume algorithm should be used. To allow manual steering, the SD-WAN rule for critical traffic should be set to 'Manual' strategy with MPLS selected as the preferred member. Options B and D together satisfy both requirements.
What should I do if I get this NSE7 question wrong?
Identify which NSE7 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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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 →
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.
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.