NSE7 Troubleshooting and Diagnostics Practice Question
An SD-WAN rule uses a performance SLA to steer traffic to the best-quality link. Traffic is consistently using the backup link even though the primary link meets SLA thresholds. The admin runs 'diagnose sys sdwan sla-check' and sees the primary link SLA status is 'pass'. What is the MOST likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates assume a 'pass' SLA status automatically means traffic will use that link, but they forget that the SD-WAN rule's strategy must explicitly be set to 'Best Quality' or 'SLA' to enforce SLA-based steering.
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
✓
The SD-WAN rule's strategy is not set to 'Best Quality' or 'SLA'
The SD-WAN rule's strategy determines how traffic is steered. If the strategy is not set to 'Best Quality' or 'SLA', the rule will not use the performance SLA results to select the best link, even if the SLA status shows 'pass'. The primary link may be passing SLA thresholds, but without the correct strategy, the rule will ignore SLA status and may use a different selection method (e.g., lowest cost or load balancing), causing traffic to use the backup link.
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 primary link's interface is administratively down
Why it's wrong here
If down, SLA would show 'fail'.
- ✗
The primary link's cost is set higher than the backup
Why it's wrong here
Cost is used in some strategies but not in SLA-based steering; SLA status overrides cost.
- ✓
The SD-WAN rule's strategy is not set to 'Best Quality' or 'SLA'
Why this is correct
The rule must use SLA-based strategy; otherwise, it may ignore SLA results.
- ✗
The backup link has a higher bandwidth
Why it's wrong here
Bandwidth alone does not override SLA if strategy is SLA-based.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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