- A
MED (metric)
Configuring a lower MED on the primary attachment tells the on-premises router to prefer that path for traffic destined to Google Cloud prefixes.
- B
AS path prepending
Why wrong: AS path prepending makes a path less preferred by lengthening the AS path. This would make the primary less preferred, the opposite of what is desired.
- C
Weight attribute
Why wrong: Weight is a Cisco-proprietary attribute and not used in BGP between Cloud Router and on-premises.
- D
Local preference
Why wrong: Local preference is used within an AS to influence outbound traffic, not received traffic from a peer.
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.
You are configuring a Cloud Router for a Dedicated Interconnect VLAN attachment. The on-premises BGP AS number is 65001. You want to ensure that traffic from Google Cloud to on-premises prefers the primary attachment over the backup. Which BGP attribute should you configure on the primary Cloud Router to achieve this?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"primary"Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
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
MED (metric)
By setting a lower MED (Multi-Exit Discriminator) on the primary attachment, the on-premises router will prefer the primary path when there are multiple paths to the same prefix. MED is exchanged between AS peers and influences inbound traffic to the on-premises network.
Key principle: A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
MED (metric)
Why this is correct
Configuring a lower MED on the primary attachment tells the on-premises router to prefer that path for traffic destined to Google Cloud prefixes.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
- ✗
AS path prepending
Why it's wrong here
AS path prepending makes a path less preferred by lengthening the AS path. This would make the primary less preferred, the opposite of what is desired.
- ✗
Weight attribute
Why it's wrong here
Weight is a Cisco-proprietary attribute and not used in BGP between Cloud Router and on-premises.
- ✗
Local preference
Why it's wrong here
Local preference is used within an AS to influence outbound traffic, not received traffic from a peer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: an active trunk can still block the VLAN you need
A trunk being up does not prove every VLAN is crossing it. Check allowed VLAN lists, native VLAN mismatch, VLAN existence and access-port assignment.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
VLAN questions usually combine access-port and trunking clues. The key is to identify whether the issue is local to one switchport, caused by the trunk, or caused by the VLAN not existing where it needs to exist.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
- Trunk ports carry multiple VLANs between switches.
- Allowed VLAN lists decide which VLANs can cross a trunk.
- Native VLAN mismatch can create confusing symptoms.
TExam Day Tips
- Use show vlan brief to verify access VLANs.
- Use show interfaces trunk to verify trunk state and allowed VLANs.
- Do not treat every same-VLAN issue as a routing problem.
Key takeaway
A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
Visual reference
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related PCNE questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
- →
Implementing Hybrid Interconnectivity — study guide chapter
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Implementing Hybrid Interconnectivity practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCNE question test?
Implementing Hybrid Interconnectivity — This question tests Implementing Hybrid Interconnectivity — Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: MED (metric) — By setting a lower MED (Multi-Exit Discriminator) on the primary attachment, the on-premises router will prefer the primary path when there are multiple paths to the same prefix. MED is exchanged between AS peers and influences inbound traffic to the on-premises network.
What should I do if I get this PCNE question wrong?
Review VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related PCNE questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
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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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