- A
Use AS path prepending on one tunnel.
Why wrong: AS path prepending would make one path longer.
- B
Set different MED values on each tunnel to prefer one.
Why wrong: Different MED would create unequal paths, not ECMP.
- C
Enable policy-based VPN instead of route-based.
Why wrong: Policy-based VPN does not support ECMP.
- D
Advertise identical routes with equal BGP metrics (AS path length, MED, etc.) from both tunnels.
ECMP requires equal metric values.
PCNE Implementing Hybrid Interconnectivity Practice Question
This PCNE practice question tests your understanding of implementing hybrid interconnectivity. 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.
A company has two HA VPN tunnels between GCP and on-premises. They want to use both tunnels simultaneously for load balancing traffic. Which BGP feature should they configure on the Cloud Router to achieve equal-cost multipath (ECMP)?
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
Advertise identical routes with equal BGP metrics (AS path length, MED, etc.) from both tunnels.
ECMP is achieved by having multiple BGP paths with equal MED and AS path length. The Cloud Router automatically load balances if routes have equal metrics.
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.
- ✗
Use AS path prepending on one tunnel.
Why it's wrong here
AS path prepending would make one path longer.
- ✗
Set different MED values on each tunnel to prefer one.
Why it's wrong here
Different MED would create unequal paths, not ECMP.
- ✗
Enable policy-based VPN instead of route-based.
Why it's wrong here
Policy-based VPN does not support ECMP.
- ✓
Advertise identical routes with equal BGP metrics (AS path length, MED, etc.) from both tunnels.
Why this is correct
ECMP requires equal metric values.
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 startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which PCNE 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.
- →
Implementing Hybrid Interconnectivity — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCNE question test?
Implementing Hybrid Interconnectivity — This question tests Implementing Hybrid Interconnectivity — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Advertise identical routes with equal BGP metrics (AS path length, MED, etc.) from both tunnels. — ECMP is achieved by having multiple BGP paths with equal MED and AS path length. The Cloud Router automatically load balances if routes have equal metrics.
What should I do if I get this PCNE question wrong?
Identify which PCNE 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.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This PCNE practice question is part of Courseiva's free Google Cloud 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 PCNE exam.
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