- A
It specifies the action for packets that exceed the conform rate but are within the excess burst.
Why wrong: Incorrect. That is the exceed-action.
- B
It specifies the action for packets that exceed both the conform rate and the excess burst.
Correct. The violate-action applies to packets that exceed the excess burst (i.e., violate the token bucket).
- C
It specifies the action for packets that are below the conform rate.
Why wrong: Incorrect. That is the conform-action.
- D
It is only used in two-rate policers and is ignored in single-rate policers.
Why wrong: Incorrect. The violate-action can be used in both single-rate and two-rate policers.
Question 1,234 of 2,152
Understanding violate-action in CoPP Policer
This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of control plane policing (copp). 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.
In a CoPP policy, what is the effect of the 'violate-action' parameter in the police command?
Quick Answer
The answer is that the violate-action parameter specifies the action for packets that exceed both the conform rate and the excess burst in a CoPP policer. This is correct because in a three-color policer—whether single-rate or two-rate—traffic is evaluated against three thresholds: conform, exceed, and violate. The violate-action applies only when a packet’s rate surpasses the excess burst size, marking it as the most severe violation; if this parameter is not explicitly configured, the router defaults to using the exceed-action for violate traffic. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this concept tests your understanding of CoPP policy granularity, often appearing in scenario-based questions where you must choose the correct action for out-of-profile packets. A common trap is confusing exceed-action with violate-action, so remember that violate is the “last resort” for the worst offenders. Memory tip: think of the three colors as green (conform), yellow (exceed), and red (violate)—the violate-action is the red-light response for packets that blow past both limits.
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
✓
It specifies the action for packets that exceed both the conform rate and the excess burst.
In a Control Plane Policing (CoPP) policy, the 'violate-action' parameter in the police command specifies the action taken for packets that exceed both the conform rate and the excess burst (i.e., packets that are beyond the peak rate). This is part of a three-color policer (conform, exceed, violate), where violate-action handles the most severe traffic violations, such as dropping or remarking packets that exceed the excess burst.
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.
- ✗
It specifies the action for packets that exceed the conform rate but are within the excess burst.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. That is the exceed-action.
- ✓
It specifies the action for packets that exceed both the conform rate and the excess burst.
Why this is correct
Correct. The violate-action applies to packets that exceed the excess burst (i.e., violate the token bucket).
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
It specifies the action for packets that are below the conform rate.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. That is the conform-action.
- ✗
It is only used in two-rate policers and is ignored in single-rate policers.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. The violate-action can be used in both single-rate and two-rate policers.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between 'exceed-action' and 'violate-action' in three-color policers, and the trap here is that candidates confuse the exceed-action (for packets within excess burst) with the violate-action (for packets beyond the excess burst), especially in single-rate policers where both are configurable.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the police command in Cisco IOS uses a token bucket algorithm; for single-rate three-color policers (RFC 2697), the violate-action is triggered when the packet size exceeds the peak rate (excess burst + committed burst), effectively dropping or marking packets that cannot be accommodated even by the excess burst. In a real-world CoPP scenario, misconfiguring the violate-action to 'transmit' could allow malicious control-plane traffic (e.g., excessive BGP updates) to overwhelm the CPU, bypassing the intended protection.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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 300-410 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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 300-410 question test?
Control Plane Policing (CoPP) — This question tests Control Plane Policing (CoPP) — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: It specifies the action for packets that exceed both the conform rate and the excess burst. — In a Control Plane Policing (CoPP) policy, the 'violate-action' parameter in the police command specifies the action taken for packets that exceed both the conform rate and the excess burst (i.e., packets that are beyond the peak rate). This is part of a three-color policer (conform, exceed, violate), where violate-action handles the most severe traffic violations, such as dropping or remarking packets that exceed the excess burst.
What should I do if I get this 300-410 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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