Cisco 300-415 Implementing SD-WAN Solutions (ENSDWI) Exam Dumps and Practice Test Questions Set 15 Q211-225
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Question 211
Which SD-WAN feature enables the network to automatically adjust traffic flows based on real-time WAN link performance while maintaining business intent for critical applications?
A) SLA-Based Path Selection
B) Local Policy
C) TLOC Color Assignment
D) Intent-Based Segmentation
Answer: A) SLA-Based Path Selection
Explanation:
Local Policy provides site-specific enforcement for traffic prioritization, QoS, ACLs, and shaping at the branch level. While local policies influence the treatment of critical applications, they do not dynamically adjust traffic flows across the overlay based on real-time WAN link performance. TLOC Color Assignment assigns logical identifiers to WAN transport connections such as MPLS, broadband, or LTE. These identifiers enable topology-aware policy enforcement and differentiation between link types, but TLOC colors alone do not provide automated traffic adjustment based on performance metrics. Intent-Based Segmentation allows the network to create isolated overlay domains for applications, departments, or security requirements, maintaining centralized control while enforcing segmentation policies. While segmentation ensures secure traffic separation and policy compliance, it does not dynamically reroute traffic based on real-time WAN link performance. SLA-Based Path Selection is the correct answer because it continuously measures WAN link metrics such as latency, jitter, and packet loss and dynamically reroutes traffic when thresholds defined in the SLA are violated. This mechanism ensures that critical applications meet their performance requirements, even when a primary WAN link is degraded or experiencing issues. SLA-Based Path Selection integrates with Business Intent Overlay, Application-Aware Routing, and TLOC Color Assignment to ensure that business-defined priorities are maintained while adapting traffic flows dynamically. For example, if a primary MPLS link experiences high latency affecting VoIP traffic, SLA-Based Path Selection will automatically reroute voice traffic over an alternative broadband or LTE link, maintaining call quality and ensuring SLA compliance. This mechanism reduces operational complexity by eliminating the need for manual intervention in dynamic traffic management. It enhances user experience by preserving application performance and preventing disruptions for critical enterprise services. SLA-Based Path Selection is particularly effective in hybrid WAN environments, where multiple transport types are available, and link performance may fluctuate. By continuously monitoring performance metrics, this mechanism allows the network to make real-time decisions about which path is optimal for each application, ensuring that mission-critical traffic receives the highest priority. Additionally, it supports proactive network management by providing visibility into WAN link performance trends, enabling administrators to anticipate potential SLA violations and take corrective actions before user impact occurs. SLA-Based Path Selection also improves WAN utilization by distributing traffic intelligently, optimizing the use of available transport resources while maintaining predictable performance for high-priority applications. It ensures alignment between business objectives, SLA compliance, and operational efficiency. By combining automated traffic adjustment with business intent and SLA enforcement, SLA-Based Path Selection plays a foundational role in modern SD-WAN deployments, ensuring reliable, high-performance connectivity across geographically distributed sites. Therefore, the correct answer is SLA-Based Path Selection.
Question 212
Which SD-WAN component provides centralized management for configuration templates, policy deployment, network monitoring, and operational analytics across all WAN edge devices?
A) vEdge
B) vSmart
C) vManage
D) vBond
Answer: C) vManage
Explanation:
vEdge devices function as the data-plane elements in the SD-WAN overlay, forwarding traffic, enforcing local policies, and establishing secure tunnels with other devices. While they generate telemetry data for monitoring, they do not provide centralized configuration management or operational analytics. vSmart serves as the control-plane intelligence for Cisco SD-WAN, distributing routing information, enforcing centralized policies, and generating encryption keys for secure communication. Although vSmart is essential for routing and control-plane policy enforcement, it does not provide a centralized platform for configuration template management, network monitoring, or analytics. vBond orchestrates secure device onboarding, authenticates WAN edge devices, and provides NAT traversal for devices behind firewalls. While critical for secure initial connectivity, vBond does not perform ongoing centralized management, policy deployment, or operational analytics. vManage is the correct answer because it serves as the centralized management platform for Cisco SD-WAN, enabling administrators to manage configuration templates, deploy policies, monitor network health, and analyze operational data across all WAN edge devices. vManage provides a single-pane-of-glass interface that allows administrators to visualize network topology, monitor application performance, track SLA compliance, and generate alerts for operational issues. By using templates, vManage ensures consistent deployment of configuration and policy across multiple WAN edge devices, reducing the likelihood of configuration errors and simplifying network operations. It also integrates with Business Intent Overlay, SLA-Based Path Selection, and Application-Aware Routing to enforce policies consistently across the overlay while adapting to real-time network conditions. vManage collects telemetry from all edge devices, allowing administrators to perform trend analysis, capacity planning, and troubleshooting. It supports automation workflows to deploy configuration changes across multiple sites simultaneously, improving operational efficiency in large-scale deployments. Additionally, vManage provides role-based access controls and audit logs, enabling secure and compliant network management. By centralizing configuration, policy enforcement, monitoring, and analytics, vManage ensures predictable performance, operational efficiency, and alignment with enterprise objectives. It is essential for hybrid and geographically distributed deployments, where manual configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting would be inefficient and error-prone. vManage enables proactive network management, reduces operational overhead, and ensures that the SD-WAN overlay operates securely, efficiently, and in alignment with business intent. Therefore, the correct answer is vManage.
Question 213
Which SD-WAN mechanism enables the network to classify applications and dynamically route them over the best-performing WAN path to maintain optimal performance and SLA compliance?
A) Local Policy
B) SLA-Based Path Selection
C) Application-Aware Routing
D) TLOC Color Assignment
Answer: C) Application-Aware Routing
Explanation:
Local Policy enforces traffic shaping, ACLs, and QoS at branch sites, providing predictable treatment for critical applications locally. While it influences traffic prioritization, it does not classify individual applications or dynamically steer them over the optimal WAN path. SLA-Based Path Selection monitors WAN link performance metrics such as latency, jitter, and packet loss, automatically rerouting traffic when thresholds are violated. Although it ensures SLA compliance, it does not independently classify applications or dynamically select the best path based on application type. TLOC Color Assignment assigns logical identifiers to WAN transport connections such as MPLS, broadband, or LTE, enabling topology-aware routing and policy differentiation. While TLOC colors help determine which link types to use for routing, they do not provide application-level classification or dynamic routing based on real-time application performance. Application-Aware Routing is the correct answer because it allows the network to classify individual applications and dynamically route their traffic over the optimal WAN path based on real-time performance metrics. It integrates with SLA-Based Path Selection, Business Intent Overlay, and TLOC Color Assignment to ensure that mission-critical applications such as VoIP, video conferencing, or ERP systems receive priority and meet SLA requirements. For example, if a primary link experiences high latency affecting video conferencing traffic, Application-Aware Routing will automatically reroute that traffic over an alternative link that provides lower latency and better performance. This mechanism reduces manual intervention, improves operational efficiency, and enhances user experience by ensuring predictable application performance. Application-Aware Routing is particularly important in hybrid WAN environments with multiple transport options, where link performance can vary dynamically. By continuously monitoring application performance and WAN link metrics, this mechanism allows SD-WAN to make intelligent, real-time routing decisions, maximizing WAN utilization while ensuring SLA compliance. It also supports integration with segmentation, security policies, and business intent overlays, providing a holistic, adaptive, and business-aligned approach to network operations. Application-Aware Routing ensures that network behavior is aligned with enterprise objectives, optimizes performance for mission-critical applications, and enhances overall reliability and user experience. Therefore, the correct answer is Application-Aware Routing.
Question 214
Which SD-WAN component is responsible for orchestrating device onboarding, validating certificates, and providing the addresses of vSmart and vManage controllers to newly deployed WAN edge devices?
A) vManage
B) vBond
C) vSmart
D) vEdge
Answer: B) vBond
Explanation:
vManage is the centralized management platform for Cisco SD-WAN, responsible for configuration templates, policy deployment, network monitoring, and operational analytics. While it provides devices with templates and pushes policies once they are onboarded, it does not handle the initial authentication or orchestration of secure connectivity for new devices joining the overlay. vSmart acts as the control-plane intelligence, distributing routing information, enforcing centralized policies, and generating encryption keys for secure overlay communication. Although vSmart is essential for control-plane operations, it does not orchestrate device onboarding or validate certificates for new WAN edge devices. vEdge devices are the data-plane components that forward traffic, enforce locally applied policies, and establish encrypted tunnels with other devices. While vEdge devices participate in onboarding by requesting certificates and configurations, they do not orchestrate the process or provide controller addresses. vBond is the correct answer because it is responsible for orchestrating secure device onboarding. When a WAN edge device is powered on for the first time, it contacts vBond to validate its pre-installed certificate, authenticate its identity, and obtain the addresses of the vSmart and vManage controllers. vBond supports NAT traversal and firewall bypass, enabling devices deployed behind restrictive networks to securely join the overlay. By automating device onboarding, vBond reduces operational complexity, mitigates configuration errors, and accelerates large-scale deployments. It ensures that only authorized devices can join the SD-WAN overlay, maintaining the security and integrity of the network. vBond also integrates with Zero-Touch Provisioning, allowing newly deployed devices to automatically retrieve configuration templates, policies, and encryption keys from vManage and vSmart without manual intervention. This integration ensures that devices are fully operational immediately upon deployment and aligned with enterprise-defined objectives. vBond plays a foundational role in establishing secure control-plane connectivity between WAN edge devices and the controllers. By managing authentication and orchestrating initial connectivity, it ensures seamless integration of new devices into the SD-WAN overlay, maintaining operational efficiency and network security. Its role is critical in large-scale deployments where manual onboarding would be time-consuming, error-prone, and operationally complex. vBond ensures that the SD-WAN overlay maintains a secure, trusted environment while enabling devices to join the network automatically, minimizing operational overhead, and maintaining consistency across geographically distributed sites. Therefore, the correct answer is vBond.
Question 215
Which SD-WAN mechanism allows administrators to define high-level business objectives, assign application priorities, and map these priorities to specific WAN paths to meet SLA requirements?
A) SLA-Based Path Selection
B) Business Intent Overlay
C) Application-Aware Routing
D) TLOC Color Assignment
Answer: B) Business Intent Overlay
Explanation:
SLA-Based Path Selection continuously monitors WAN link performance metrics such as latency, jitter, and packet loss and dynamically reroutes traffic when thresholds are violated. While it ensures SLA compliance, it does not provide the ability to define enterprise-level business objectives or assign application priorities across the overlay. Application-Aware Routing identifies applications and dynamically steers traffic over optimal WAN paths based on real-time metrics. Although it helps enforce performance priorities, it does not allow administrators to define high-level business objectives or map those objectives to WAN paths. TLOC Color Assignment provides logical identifiers for WAN transport connections, such as MPLS, broadband, or LTE. While essential for topology-aware routing and policy enforcement, it does not provide a mechanism to define business intent or assign priorities to applications. Business Intent Overlay is the correct answer because it allows administrators to define enterprise-level objectives, assign application priorities, and map these priorities to WAN paths to ensure SLA compliance. BIO integrates with SLA-Based Path Selection, Application-Aware Routing, and TLOC Color Assignment to enforce policies consistently while adapting to real-time network conditions. Administrators can specify that critical applications such as VoIP or ERP systems must traverse low-latency MPLS links while non-critical traffic uses broadband or LTE backups. Business Intent Overlay enables centralized policy definition while ensuring that dynamic routing mechanisms execute decisions in alignment with organizational priorities. By mapping business objectives to WAN paths, BIO ensures that mission-critical applications maintain predictable performance even when WAN links fluctuate. It also supports segmentation and security policies, allowing traffic to be isolated based on departments, applications, or sensitivity levels. BIO reduces operational complexity by automating the enforcement of business objectives across geographically distributed sites, minimizing human errors, and maintaining consistency. It ensures that SLA compliance is achieved for critical applications while optimizing WAN utilization and maintaining high performance. Business Intent Overlay provides a scalable, flexible, and adaptive approach to managing SD-WAN policies, aligning network operations with business priorities, and supporting hybrid WAN environments with multiple transport types. By combining centralized policy definition with automated enforcement through dynamic routing mechanisms, BIO ensures reliable, high-performance connectivity and predictable application behavior across the overlay. Therefore, the correct answer is Business Intent Overlay.
Question 216
Which SD-WAN feature allows the network to classify applications and dynamically select the best-performing WAN path to optimize performance and maintain SLA compliance?
A) Local Policy
B) SLA-Based Path Selection
C) Application-Aware Routing
D) Intent-Based Segmentation
Answer: C) Application-Aware Routing
Explanation:
Local Policy enforces site-specific rules for QoS, ACLs, and traffic shaping, ensuring predictable treatment of critical applications locally. While this mechanism prioritizes traffic, it does not classify applications or dynamically route them based on WAN link performance metrics. SLA-Based Path Selection continuously monitors WAN links and reroutes traffic when performance metrics such as latency, jitter, or packet loss exceed predefined thresholds. While SLA-Based Path Selection ensures SLA compliance, it does not independently identify individual applications or dynamically steer them over optimal paths based on application type. Intent-Based Segmentation allows the network to segment overlay traffic into isolated domains based on applications, departments, or security requirements. Although segmentation supports policy enforcement and security, it does not classify applications or dynamically adjust their path selection based on performance. Application-Aware Routing is the correct answer because it identifies applications in real-time and dynamically routes their traffic over the WAN path that provides the best performance while maintaining SLA compliance. It integrates with Business Intent Overlay, SLA-Based Path Selection, and TLOC Color Assignment to ensure that critical applications such as VoIP, video conferencing, and ERP systems are routed over optimal paths that meet latency, jitter, and packet loss requirements. Application-Aware Routing enhances operational efficiency by automating routing decisions, reducing manual intervention, and improving user experience. By continuously monitoring both application traffic and WAN link performance, this mechanism ensures predictable application performance even in hybrid WAN environments with multiple transport options. It aligns network operations with business priorities, maintains SLA compliance, and optimizes WAN utilization. Additionally, Application-Aware Routing supports dynamic adaptation to changing network conditions, ensuring that critical applications consistently receive the network resources they require. This mechanism is foundational for SD-WAN deployments that demand high reliability, predictable application performance, and alignment with business objectives. Application-Aware Routing ensures operational efficiency, SLA adherence, and user satisfaction across geographically distributed sites while supporting enterprise-scale deployments. Therefore, the correct answer is Application-Aware Routing.
Question 217
Which SD-WAN component is responsible for distributing routing information, enforcing centralized policies, and generating encryption keys to secure communication across the overlay?
A) vEdge
B) vManage
C) vBond
D) vSmart
Answer: D) vSmart
Explanation:
vEdge devices function as the data-plane elements in the SD-WAN overlay, forwarding traffic, enforcing locally applied policies, and establishing encrypted tunnels with other WAN edge devices. While they participate in control-plane communications and implement policies locally, they do not maintain centralized routing tables, distribute routing information across the network, or generate encryption keys for overlay communication. vManage provides centralized management, configuration templates, operational monitoring, and analytics across all WAN edge devices. Although it distributes templates and policies, it does not handle the distribution of routing information, nor does it generate encryption keys required for secure control-plane communications. vBond orchestrates secure device onboarding, validates certificates, and provides NAT traversal for devices behind firewalls. While critical for device authentication and initial secure connectivity, vBond does not continuously distribute routing information, enforce centralized policies, or generate encryption keys for ongoing overlay communications. vSmart is the correct answer because it serves as the control-plane intelligence of Cisco SD-WAN, responsible for distributing routing information to all WAN edge devices, enforcing centralized policies, and generating encryption keys for secure communication across the overlay. vSmart integrates with Business Intent Overlay, Application-Aware Routing, SLA-Based Path Selection, and TLOC Color Assignment to ensure that routing and policy enforcement align with business objectives and SLA requirements. By maintaining a comprehensive view of the overlay topology, vSmart allows consistent decision-making for traffic forwarding, segmentation, and policy enforcement across geographically distributed sites. vSmart generates encryption keys for secure communication between WAN edge devices, ensuring that control-plane and data-plane traffic is protected against unauthorized access and tampering. It distributes these keys dynamically and integrates with vManage for operational monitoring and analytics. Through its control-plane functions, vSmart enables centralized management of routing, security policies, and business intent enforcement while allowing distributed execution at the edge. In large-scale SD-WAN deployments, vSmart ensures operational efficiency, policy consistency, and secure overlay connectivity by providing the intelligence necessary for dynamic path selection, segmentation, and SLA compliance. It enables automated, adaptive routing decisions while maintaining alignment with enterprise priorities, reducing the need for manual intervention and mitigating human error. By enforcing centralized policies and distributing routing information securely, vSmart guarantees that applications operate efficiently and reliably across the WAN, ensuring a predictable user experience. Its integration with real-time telemetry, SLA monitoring, and business intent overlays provides holistic visibility and control over the network while supporting hybrid WAN and multi-transport environments. vSmart’s role is essential for ensuring reliable, secure, and intelligent overlay operation, making it a foundational component of SD-WAN architecture. Therefore, the correct answer is vSmart.
Question 218
Which SD-WAN mechanism allows WAN edge devices to label transport connections such as MPLS, broadband, or LTE with logical identifiers to enable topology-aware routing and policy enforcement?
A) Local Policy
B) SLA-Based Path Selection
C) TLOC Color Assignment
D) Application-Aware Routing
Answer: C) TLOC Color Assignment
Explanation:
Local Policy provides granular enforcement of traffic prioritization, QoS, ACLs, and shaping at individual branch locations. While it ensures predictable handling of critical applications, it does not assign logical identifiers to WAN transport connections or enable topology-aware routing decisions. SLA-Based Path Selection continuously monitors WAN link metrics such as latency, jitter, and packet loss to reroute traffic when thresholds are exceeded. While it improves performance and ensures SLA compliance, it does not assign logical identifiers to transport connections, nor does it directly support topology-aware routing. Application-Aware Routing identifies applications and dynamically steers traffic over the best-performing WAN paths based on real-time performance metrics. Although essential for application-level path optimization, it relies on underlying link identification and topology information rather than assigning logical identifiers to WAN connections. TLOC Color Assignment is the correct answer because it allows administrators to assign logical identifiers, known as colors, to WAN transport connections such as MPLS, broadband, or LTE. These identifiers enable vEdge devices and vSmart controllers to recognize different transport types, differentiate traffic flows, and enforce policies based on topology-aware routing decisions. TLOC colors allow critical applications to traverse high-priority links while less critical traffic uses secondary or backup links, supporting business intent and SLA compliance. By labeling transport connections, TLOC Color Assignment integrates with Business Intent Overlay, SLA-Based Path Selection, and Application-Aware Routing to enforce enterprise-defined priorities and ensure optimal traffic distribution across multiple transport types. For example, an organization can assign MPLS links the blue color, broadband links the green color, and LTE links the yellow color. Business Intent Overlay can then map mission-critical applications to the blue TLOCs to guarantee low-latency routing, while non-critical traffic uses green or yellow TLOCs for redundancy. TLOC Color Assignment is particularly useful in hybrid WAN environments, where multiple transport options coexist, and path selection must consider both topology and application requirements. By enabling topology-aware policy enforcement, TLOC Color Assignment ensures operational predictability, efficient link utilization, SLA adherence, and alignment with business objectives. It also facilitates segmentation, failover, and traffic engineering by providing a standardized method to differentiate WAN connections across the SD-WAN overlay. Overall, TLOC Color Assignment is foundational for creating intelligent, policy-driven, and topology-aware SD-WAN networks. Therefore, the correct answer is TLOC Color Assignment.
Question 219
Which SD-WAN mechanism identifies individual applications and dynamically routes their traffic over the optimal WAN path based on real-time performance metrics such as latency, jitter, and packet loss?
A) Local Policy
B) SLA-Based Path Selection
C) Application-Aware Routing
D) Business Intent Overlay
Answer: C) Application-Aware Routing
Explanation:
Local Policy enforces traffic shaping, QoS, and ACLs at branch sites, providing predictable handling of critical applications locally. While it prioritizes traffic, it does not classify applications or dynamically route them based on WAN link performance metrics. SLA-Based Path Selection monitors WAN link performance and reroutes traffic when thresholds for latency, jitter, or packet loss are violated. Although it ensures SLA compliance, it does not independently identify applications or optimize routing based on application-specific requirements. Business Intent Overlay allows administrators to define enterprise-level objectives, assign application priorities, and map these priorities to specific WAN paths. While BIO sets overarching business intent, it does not perform real-time application identification or dynamic path selection on its own. Application-Aware Routing is the correct answer because it identifies individual applications in real-time and dynamically routes their traffic over the optimal WAN path based on metrics such as latency, jitter, and packet loss. This mechanism integrates with SLA-Based Path Selection, TLOC Color Assignment, and Business Intent Overlay to ensure mission-critical applications meet SLA requirements and maintain predictable performance. For instance, if a video conferencing application experiences high latency on its primary link, Application-Aware Routing will reroute the traffic over an alternate link with lower latency to preserve call quality. By combining real-time monitoring with policy-based routing, Application-Aware Routing reduces manual intervention, improves operational efficiency, and enhances user experience. It is particularly critical in hybrid WAN environments with multiple transport types where link performance fluctuates frequently. Application-Aware Routing ensures alignment between business priorities, SLA compliance, and application performance by dynamically adapting to changing network conditions. This mechanism also supports integration with segmentation, security policies, and business intent overlays, providing a holistic approach to intelligent, adaptive, and business-aligned traffic management. Application-Aware Routing maintains predictable performance for critical applications, optimizes WAN utilization, enhances operational efficiency, and supports enterprise-scale deployments. Its role is foundational in SD-WAN, enabling dynamic, intelligent, and SLA-compliant routing for all applications across geographically distributed sites. Therefore, the correct answer is Application-Aware Routing.
Question 220
Which SD-WAN component provides a centralized platform for managing configuration templates, deploying policies, monitoring the network, and analyzing operational data across all WAN edge devices?
A) vEdge
B) vSmart
C) vBond
D) vManage
Answer: D) vManage
Explanation:
vEdge devices function as the data-plane elements of Cisco SD-WAN, responsible for forwarding traffic, enforcing local policies, and establishing secure tunnels with other WAN edge devices. Although vEdge devices generate telemetry data and implement policies locally, they do not provide a centralized platform for network-wide management, configuration, or analytics. vSmart serves as the control-plane intelligence of the SD-WAN overlay, distributing routing information, enforcing centralized policies, and generating encryption keys to secure communication. While essential for routing and policy enforcement, vSmart does not provide configuration templates, operational monitoring dashboards, or centralized analytics. vBond orchestrates secure device onboarding, validates certificates, and provides NAT traversal for new WAN edge devices joining the overlay. Although critical for initial secure connectivity and device authentication, vBond does not offer ongoing centralized management, monitoring, or configuration capabilities. vManage is the correct answer because it serves as the centralized management platform for Cisco SD-WAN, providing a single-pane-of-glass interface to manage configuration templates, deploy policies, monitor network health, and analyze operational data across all WAN edge devices. Administrators can use vManage to visualize network topology, track application performance, monitor SLA compliance, and generate alerts for operational issues. Template-based configuration deployment in vManage ensures consistent policy and configuration across multiple WAN edge devices, reducing human errors and simplifying large-scale deployment management. vManage integrates with Business Intent Overlay, SLA-Based Path Selection, Application-Aware Routing, and TLOC Color Assignment to enforce enterprise-wide policies consistently while adapting dynamically to network conditions. It collects telemetry data from all WAN edge devices in real-time, enabling administrators to perform trend analysis, capacity planning, and troubleshooting. vManage also supports automation workflows, enabling bulk deployment of configuration changes across multiple sites simultaneously, which increases operational efficiency and scalability. Role-based access control and audit logs ensure secure management and compliance. vManage provides proactive network management, allowing administrators to anticipate performance issues, enforce SLA compliance, and maintain high reliability and operational efficiency. By centralizing policy enforcement, monitoring, and operational analytics, vManage ensures predictable application performance, reduces manual intervention, and supports hybrid WAN environments effectively. In enterprise-scale SD-WAN deployments, vManage is foundational for maintaining visibility, control, and operational consistency across geographically distributed networks. Its role is essential for enabling administrators to manage the overlay efficiently, enforce policies in alignment with business intent, and optimize overall WAN performance. Therefore, the correct answer is vManage.
Question 221
Which SD-WAN mechanism continuously monitors WAN link performance and automatically reroutes traffic when latency, jitter, or packet loss exceeds predefined thresholds to maintain SLA compliance?
A) Application-Aware Routing
B) SLA-Based Path Selection
C) Local Policy
D) TLOC Color Assignment
Answer: B) SLA-Based Path Selection
Explanation:
Application-Aware Routing identifies individual applications and dynamically routes their traffic over the optimal WAN path based on real-time performance metrics. Although it contributes to efficient application routing, it does not independently monitor WAN link performance and reroute traffic solely based on SLA thresholds. Local Policy enforces traffic shaping, QoS, and ACLs at branch sites, providing predictable treatment of critical applications locally. While this mechanism ensures appropriate local prioritization, it does not continuously monitor WAN links or trigger automated rerouting in response to performance degradation. TLOC Color Assignment assigns logical identifiers, or colors, to WAN transport connections such as MPLS, broadband, or LTE, enabling topology-aware routing and policy enforcement. While TLOC colors differentiate transport types and support policy decisions, they do not provide continuous WAN performance monitoring or SLA-driven rerouting. SLA-Based Path Selection is the correct answer because it continuously measures WAN link metrics, including latency, jitter, and packet loss, and automatically reroutes traffic to alternate links when performance thresholds are violated. This mechanism ensures that critical applications maintain predictable performance and SLA compliance, even during WAN link degradation or outages. SLA-Based Path Selection integrates with Business Intent Overlay, Application-Aware Routing, and TLOC Color Assignment to enforce enterprise-defined priorities while dynamically adapting traffic flows according to real-time network conditions. For example, if a primary MPLS link experiences high latency affecting VoIP traffic, SLA-Based Path Selection reroutes the traffic over a backup broadband or LTE link to maintain low-latency communication and prevent user experience degradation. This mechanism enhances operational efficiency, reduces manual intervention, and ensures consistent performance for mission-critical applications. SLA-Based Path Selection is particularly effective in hybrid WAN environments with multiple transport options, allowing the network to optimize link utilization while maintaining SLA compliance. By proactively monitoring link performance and rerouting traffic as needed, SLA-Based Path Selection minimizes disruptions, supports business objectives, and ensures high availability for enterprise applications. It provides real-time adaptation to changing network conditions, reduces the risk of SLA violations, and improves WAN efficiency. This mechanism also enables automated decision-making, ensuring that critical applications receive the best-performing paths without manual intervention. SLA-Based Path Selection is foundational in modern SD-WAN deployments, ensuring reliable connectivity, predictable application performance, and alignment with enterprise business priorities across geographically distributed sites. Therefore, the correct answer is SLA-Based Path Selection.
Question 222
Which SD-WAN mechanism allows the overlay network to classify applications and dynamically select the optimal WAN path to maintain performance and SLA compliance?
A) Local Policy
B) Application-Aware Routing
C) TLOC Color Assignment
D) Business Intent Overlay
Answer: B) Application-Aware Routing
Explanation:
Local Policy enforces traffic shaping, QoS, and ACLs at individual branch sites, providing predictable treatment for critical applications locally. While this mechanism prioritizes traffic, it does not classify applications or dynamically select optimal WAN paths based on performance metrics. TLOC Color Assignment assigns logical identifiers to WAN transport connections such as MPLS, broadband, or LTE, enabling topology-aware routing and policy enforcement. While critical for transport differentiation, TLOC colors do not perform real-time application classification or path selection based on performance. Business Intent Overlay allows administrators to define high-level enterprise objectives, assign application priorities, and map these priorities to WAN paths to enforce SLA compliance. Although BIO establishes overarching business intent, it does not directly classify applications or dynamically select paths in real-time. Application-Aware Routing is the correct answer because it enables the network to identify individual applications in real-time and dynamically route their traffic over the optimal WAN path based on performance metrics such as latency, jitter, and packet loss. This mechanism ensures that mission-critical applications, including VoIP, video conferencing, and ERP systems, maintain predictable performance and SLA compliance even under fluctuating WAN conditions. Application-Aware Routing integrates with SLA-Based Path Selection, Business Intent Overlay, and TLOC Color Assignment to enforce business-defined priorities while dynamically adapting to changing network conditions. For example, if a primary broadband link experiences high jitter affecting video conferencing, Application-Aware Routing reroutes traffic over an alternative MPLS or LTE link to maintain call quality. By combining real-time performance monitoring with intelligent path selection, Application-Aware Routing reduces manual intervention, enhances operational efficiency, and improves user experience. It optimizes WAN utilization while maintaining SLA adherence and aligns network behavior with business objectives. Application-Aware Routing is especially important in hybrid WAN environments with multiple transport types and dynamic link conditions. It ensures that critical applications consistently receive optimal network resources, maintains predictable performance across geographically distributed sites, and supports enterprise-scale deployments. By integrating dynamic routing decisions with business intent and SLA enforcement, Application-Aware Routing provides a holistic, adaptive, and high-performing SD-WAN solution. Therefore, the correct answer is Application-Aware Routing.
Question 223
Which SD-WAN component is responsible for authenticating new devices, orchestrating secure initial connectivity, and supporting NAT traversal for devices deployed behind firewalls?
A) vSmart
B) vBond
C) vManage
D) vEdge
Answer: B) vBond
Explanation:
vSmart functions as the control-plane intelligence for Cisco SD-WAN, distributing routing information, enforcing centralized policies, and generating encryption keys for secure overlay communication. While vSmart is essential for routing and policy enforcement, it does not authenticate new devices or orchestrate their initial secure connectivity. vManage provides centralized management for configuration templates, policy deployment, network monitoring, and operational analytics. Although vManage interacts with devices to push configurations and monitor performance, it does not handle device authentication, initial connectivity, or NAT traversal. vEdge devices operate as data-plane elements, forwarding traffic, enforcing local policies, and establishing encrypted tunnels with other WAN edge devices. While vEdge devices participate in onboarding by requesting certificates and configurations, they do not orchestrate or authenticate new devices independently. vBond is the correct answer because it is responsible for authenticating newly deployed WAN edge devices, orchestrating secure initial connectivity, and providing NAT traversal for devices behind firewalls or restrictive networks. When a device is powered on, it contacts vBond to validate its pre-installed certificate, authenticate its identity, and obtain the addresses of vSmart and vManage controllers. vBond ensures that only authorized devices join the SD-WAN overlay, preventing unauthorized access and maintaining network security. It also provides NAT traversal capabilities, enabling devices deployed in branch or remote locations to establish secure connections to the overlay without manual network reconfiguration. vBond integrates with Zero-Touch Provisioning, allowing new devices to automatically retrieve configuration templates, policies, and encryption keys, ensuring operational readiness immediately after onboarding. By automating the authentication and onboarding process, vBond reduces operational complexity, accelerates deployment, and mitigates human error in large-scale SD-WAN environments. It plays a critical role in maintaining a secure control plane while enabling geographically distributed devices to join the overlay seamlessly. vBond also facilitates encrypted communications between edge devices and controllers, supporting both control-plane and data-plane security. In hybrid WAN environments, vBond ensures reliable and secure connectivity across multiple transport types, including MPLS, broadband, and LTE, while maintaining operational efficiency and compliance with enterprise security policies. Its role is foundational in establishing trust, enabling secure onboarding, and providing the orchestration necessary for SD-WAN devices to operate effectively within the overlay. Therefore, the correct answer is vBond.
Question 224
Which SD-WAN mechanism allows administrators to assign enterprise-defined objectives and application priorities to WAN paths while ensuring SLA compliance for mission-critical applications?
A) Business Intent Overlay
B) Local Policy
C) SLA-Based Path Selection
D) TLOC Color Assignment
Answer: A) Business Intent Overlay
Explanation:
Local Policy enforces QoS, ACLs, and traffic shaping at branch sites, providing predictable treatment for critical applications locally. While it prioritizes traffic, it does not allow administrators to define enterprise-level objectives or map application priorities to WAN paths. SLA-Based Path Selection continuously monitors WAN link metrics, such as latency, jitter, and packet loss, and reroutes traffic when thresholds are exceeded. Although it ensures SLA compliance, it does not allow mapping of business objectives or enterprise-defined priorities to WAN paths. TLOC Color Assignment assigns logical identifiers to WAN transport connections such as MPLS, broadband, or LTE, enabling topology-aware routing and policy enforcement. While TLOC colors differentiate transport types, they do not allow administrators to define enterprise-level objectives or assign priorities to applications. Business Intent Overlay is the correct answer because it allows administrators to define enterprise-level objectives, assign application priorities, and map these priorities to specific WAN paths to ensure SLA compliance. BIO integrates with SLA-Based Path Selection, Application-Aware Routing, and TLOC Color Assignment to enforce enterprise-defined policies while adapting dynamically to network conditions. Administrators can specify that critical applications, such as VoIP or ERP systems, traverse low-latency MPLS links while less critical traffic uses broadband or LTE backups. Business Intent Overlay enables centralized policy definition while ensuring that dynamic routing mechanisms enforce priorities in alignment with organizational goals. By mapping business objectives to WAN paths, BIO ensures mission-critical applications maintain predictable performance even when WAN links degrade. BIO also supports segmentation and security policies, allowing traffic to be isolated based on departments, applications, or sensitivity levels. This reduces operational complexity by automating policy enforcement across geographically distributed sites, minimizing human errors, and maintaining consistency. Business Intent Overlay ensures SLA compliance for critical applications while optimizing WAN utilization and maintaining high performance. BIO provides a scalable, flexible, and adaptive approach to managing SD-WAN policies, aligning network operations with business priorities, and supporting hybrid WAN deployments with multiple transport types. By combining centralized business objectives with automated enforcement through dynamic routing mechanisms, BIO ensures reliable connectivity, predictable performance, and alignment between application behavior and enterprise priorities. Therefore, the correct answer is Business Intent Overlay.
Question 225
Which SD-WAN feature identifies individual applications and dynamically routes their traffic over the optimal WAN path to ensure performance and SLA adherence?
A) Local Policy
B) Application-Aware Routing
C) SLA-Based Path Selection
D) Intent-Based Segmentation
Answer: B) Application-Aware Routing
Explanation:
Local Policy enforces site-specific QoS, ACLs, and traffic shaping rules, providing predictable treatment for critical applications locally. While it ensures appropriate prioritization, it does not classify individual applications or dynamically select optimal WAN paths based on real-time performance metrics. SLA-Based Path Selection monitors WAN link performance metrics such as latency, jitter, and packet loss, and reroutes traffic when thresholds are violated. Although SLA-Based Path Selection ensures SLA compliance, it does not independently identify applications or dynamically route them over the best-performing paths based on application type. Intent-Based Segmentation allows the overlay network to create isolated domains based on applications, departments, or security requirements. While it supports segmentation and policy enforcement, it does not classify applications or select WAN paths dynamically to maintain performance. Application-Aware Routing is the correct answer because it identifies applications in real-time and dynamically routes their traffic over the WAN path that provides the best performance while maintaining SLA adherence. It integrates with SLA-Based Path Selection, Business Intent Overlay, and TLOC Color Assignment to ensure mission-critical applications, such as VoIP, video conferencing, and ERP systems, receive priority and maintain predictable performance even in fluctuating WAN conditions. For example, if a primary broadband link experiences high latency affecting video traffic, Application-Aware Routing reroutes the traffic over an MPLS or LTE link to maintain quality. This mechanism automates decision-making, reduces manual intervention, enhances operational efficiency, and improves user experience. It optimizes WAN utilization while ensuring SLA compliance and aligning traffic flows with business objectives. Application-Aware Routing is particularly effective in hybrid WAN deployments with multiple transport options and dynamically changing link conditions. It provides real-time application classification, traffic optimization, and policy enforcement, ensuring predictable application performance and reliable user experience. By integrating with business intent overlays and SLA monitoring, Application-Aware Routing supports enterprise-scale SD-WAN deployments, ensuring intelligent, adaptive, and high-performing traffic management. Its role is foundational in achieving operational efficiency, SLA compliance, and alignment between application performance and business objectives across geographically distributed sites. Therefore, the correct answer is Application-Aware Routing.