Question 414 of 2,152

Policy-Based Routing (PBR) →hardMultiple SelectObjective-mapped

Policy-Based Routing Overview

This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of policy-based routing (pbr). This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.

Which TWO statements about Policy-Based Routing (PBR) are true? (Choose TWO.)

A
PBR is applied on the inbound interface of the router.
PBR is configured with 'ip policy route-map' under the interface, which processes incoming packets.
B
If a 'set interface' command specifies a down interface, the packet is automatically routed using the routing table.
Why wrong: If the specified interface is down, the packet is dropped unless a fallback 'set ip next-hop' is configured.
C
PBR can be used to override the routing table for locally generated packets.
Why wrong: By default, PBR does not apply to locally generated packets; 'ip local policy route-map' is needed for that.
D
The 'set ip default next-hop' command overrides the routing table even when a route exists.
Why wrong: The 'set ip default next-hop' is only used when there is no explicit route in the routing table.
E
PBR uses a route-map to define match criteria and set actions for traffic.
The route-map contains match statements (e.g., match ip address) and set statements (e.g., set ip next-hop) to control traffic forwarding.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Quick Answer

The answer is that PBR uses a route-map to define match criteria and set actions for traffic. This is correct because Policy-Based Routing operates by applying a route-map on an inbound interface, where the `match` command selects specific traffic (like source IP or protocol) and the `set` command dictates the forwarding behavior—such as `set ip next-hop` or `set interface`—thereby overriding the normal routing table for that traffic. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this topic tests your ability to distinguish PBR from policy-based forwarding and to recognize that PBR does not affect locally generated traffic by default. A common trap is confusing `set ip default next-hop` (used only when no route exists) with `set ip next-hop` (which overrides an existing route). Remember the memory tip: "PBR is inbound, local is outbound"—PBR only applies to packets arriving on the interface, not to packets the router itself creates.

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

✓

PBR is applied on the inbound interface of the router.

PBR uses a route-map with match and set commands to override the routing table for selected traffic. The 'set interface' command can specify an outgoing interface, and if that interface is down, the packet is dropped unless a 'set ip next-hop' is also configured as a backup. PBR does not affect the router's own originated traffic by default. The 'set ip default next-hop' is used only when there is no explicit route in the routing table, not for overriding an existing route. PBR is applied on the inbound interface.

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.

✓
PBR is applied on the inbound interface of the router.
Why this is correct
PBR is configured with 'ip policy route-map' under the interface, which processes incoming packets.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
If a 'set interface' command specifies a down interface, the packet is automatically routed using the routing table.
Why it's wrong here
If the specified interface is down, the packet is dropped unless a fallback 'set ip next-hop' is configured.
✗
PBR can be used to override the routing table for locally generated packets.
Why it's wrong here
By default, PBR does not apply to locally generated packets; 'ip local policy route-map' is needed for that.
✗
The 'set ip default next-hop' command overrides the routing table even when a route exists.
Why it's wrong here
The 'set ip default next-hop' is only used when there is no explicit route in the routing table.
✓
PBR uses a route-map to define match criteria and set actions for traffic.
Why this is correct
The route-map contains match statements (e.g., match ip address) and set statements (e.g., set ip next-hop) to control traffic forwarding.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

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 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.

Identify which 300-410 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.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this 300-410 question test?

Policy-Based Routing (PBR) — This question tests Policy-Based Routing (PBR) — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: PBR is applied on the inbound interface of the router. — PBR uses a route-map with match and set commands to override the routing table for selected traffic. The 'set interface' command can specify an outgoing interface, and if that interface is down, the packet is dropped unless a 'set ip next-hop' is also configured as a backup. PBR does not affect the router's own originated traffic by default. The 'set ip default next-hop' is used only when there is no explicit route in the routing table, not for overriding an existing route. PBR is applied on the inbound interface.

What should I do if I get this 300-410 question wrong?

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

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