Nokia SR Linux EVPN and Data Center Interconnect Questions and Answers
Which of the following statements about an integrated routing and bridging (IRB) interface is FALSE?
Options:
An IRB interface is used to logically interconnect a MAC-VRF to an IP-VRF on a PE.
IP-VRFs and MAC-VRFs can have multiple IRB interfaces.
The IRB sub-interface must have at least one IP address.
The IRB sub-interfaces can be configured with access control lists.
Answer:
BExplanation:
Comprehensive and Detailed 150 to 250 words of Explanation From [SR Linux EVPN and Data Center Interconnect/Course Guide/topics]:
An IRB interface provides the logical L3 gateway function between a Layer 2 MAC-VRF and a Layer 3 IP-VRF on the same PE. It allows locally bridged hosts to route into the tenant IP-VRF while preserving EVPN control-plane signaling for MAC/IP reachability. The IRB subinterface must have at least one IP address because it acts as the routed gateway for the subnet, and it may also be configured with ACLs to apply traffic policy at the L3 boundary. Option B is false because it incorrectly generalizes the IRB relationship. In SR Linux EVPN service modeling, an IRB subinterface connects a MAC-VRF to an IP-VRF in a controlled one-to-one service attachment context; the design is not that both IP-VRFs and MAC-VRFs arbitrarily contain multiple IRB interfaces for the same relationship. A MAC-VRF has its IRB gateway association into the IP-VRF, and the IP-VRF may connect to multiple MAC-VRFs through distinct IRB contexts, but the statement as written is not the correct rule for IRB interface behavior. Reference: SR Linux IRB interface operation, MAC-VRF/IP-VRF interconnection, gateway IP and ACL support.
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A host is connected to multiple PEs through multi-homing.
Which of the following is NOT a function of the EVPN route-type 4 route?
Options:
Allows the other PEs to discover which PEs are connected to the same Ethernet segment.
Triggers the election of a designated forwarder.
Identifies the type of algorithm to be used in the election process.
Identifies the redundancy mode of the Ethernet segment.
Answer:
CExplanation:
Comprehensive and Detailed 150 to 250 words of Explanation From [SR Linux EVPN and Data Center Interconnect/Course Guide/topics]:
EVPN route type 4 is the Ethernet Segment route. Its core role is to advertise Ethernet Segment membership so that PEs attached to the same multi-homed segment can discover each other. This discovery is essential for multi-homing procedures such as DF election, split-horizon behavior, and redundancy handling. When multiple PEs advertise the same ESI, the EVPN control plane can build the candidate set of PEs that participate in that Ethernet Segment. This enables DF election for BUM forwarding and supports the correct interpretation of the segment's redundancy model. The incorrect statement is option C. The election algorithm itself is not the basic function of the route type 4 advertisement in the way the question frames it. The route type is primarily about Ethernet Segment discovery and participation; the algorithmic decision process is derived from configured DF election behavior and candidate information, not from route type 4 acting as a generic algorithm identifier. Therefore, route type 4 enables DF procedures, but it is not described as the mechanism that identifies the election algorithm type. Reference: EVPN RT-4 Ethernet Segment route, DF election, multi-homing discovery.
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Leaf routers are configured to support Layer 2 multi-homing all-active mode.
Which of the following statements is FALSE?
Options:
All of the sub-interfaces of the LAG must be configured in the Ethernet segment.
The 2nd through 7th octets of the ESI must not be all zeros.
The multi-homing mode of all-active must be configured for the Ethernet segment.
The Ethernet segment must be administratively enabled.
Answer:
BExplanation:
Comprehensive and Detailed 150 to 250 words of Explanation From [SR Linux EVPN and Data Center Interconnect/Course Guide/topics]:
For Layer 2 all-active EVPN multi-homing on SR Linux, the Ethernet Segment configuration is the control-plane anchor that binds the redundant access attachment to EVPN. The relevant LAG subinterfaces must be associated with the Ethernet Segment so that the PE can advertise the segment correctly and apply split-horizon and aliasing behavior. The Ethernet Segment must also be administratively enabled; otherwise, the PE will not participate properly in ES discovery and DF procedures. The multi-homing mode must be set to all-active to permit forwarding through multiple attached leaf routers and support host-side LAG operation. The false statement is option B. The Ethernet Segment Identifier has a defined structure, and the blanket statement that the 2nd through 7th octets “must not be all zeros” is not a valid requirement as stated. What matters operationally is that the ESI uniquely identifies the same multi-homed Ethernet Segment across participating PEs and is consistently configured where required. The ESI must be non-zero as a meaningful segment identifier, but the specific octet restriction in the option is not the SR Linux all-active configuration rule. Reference: SR Linux L2 EVPN all-active multi-homing, Ethernet Segment configuration, LAG association.
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Consider the exhibit.

All IP-VRFs are configured properly and are operational.
Which of the following statements is FALSE?
Options:
One of the connected leaf routers will be elected DF.
The elected DF will use the AD per EVI update to identify itself as primary.
Only the elected DF will advertise the customer IP prefix route to the BGP route reflector.
All connected leaf routers will use an AD per ES update to advertise single-active redundancy.
Answer:
BExplanation:
Comprehensive and Detailed 150 to 250 words of Explanation From [SR Linux EVPN and Data Center Interconnect/Course Guide/topics] :
In a single-active EVPN multi-homing design, the connected PE routers perform Designated Forwarder election to determine which PE is active for the relevant service or Ethernet Segment. The DF is responsible for forwarding toward the attached segment and, in a Layer 3 multi-homing case, only the active/DF PE advertises the customer IP prefix route toward the EVPN control plane. Single-active redundancy is communicated using Ethernet Segment-related EVPN procedures, including Ethernet A-D information, so remote PEs can identify the redundancy behavior and avoid forwarding traffic to an inactive attachment. The false statement is that the elected DF uses an AD per EVI update to identify itself as primary. AD per EVI is primarily used to advertise per-service Ethernet Segment reachability and support aliasing/load-balancing behavior in multi-homed services. DF election itself is driven by Ethernet Segment route procedures, not by the DF declaring itself primary through AD per EVI. Therefore, option B misstates the role of AD per EVI in the single-active L3 multi-homing control plane. Reference: EVPN DF election, single-active multi-homing, Ethernet A-D routes.
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Which of the following statements about the configuration of a distributed Layer 2 EVPN in a Nokia SR Linux is FALSE?
Options:
Each PE participating in the Layer 2 EVPN must be configured with the same EVPN instance ID (EVI).
The route distinguisher is auto-generated using the autonomous system number and EVI.
Only one VXLAN-interface can be associated to the Layer 2 EVPN.
The route-targets are manually configured when the leaf routers are in different autonomous systems.
Answer:
AExplanation:
Comprehensive and Detailed 150 to 250 words of Explanation From [SR Linux EVPN and Data Center Interconnect/Course Guide/topics]:
A distributed Layer 2 EVPN in SR Linux is implemented using MAC-VRF network instances, EVPN control-plane signaling, and VXLAN data-plane encapsulation. A common mistake is assuming that every PE must use the same EVI value for the same L2 service. In SR Linux, the important operational requirement is that the correct EVPN routes are imported and exported using matching route-target policy, not necessarily that every PE has the same locally configured EVI. Therefore, option A is false. The route distinguisher can be automatically generated using local values such as the autonomous system number and EVI, giving each PE's EVPN routes uniqueness in MP-BGP. A MAC-VRF is associated with VXLAN encapsulation for its data-plane service mapping, and route targets may need to be manually configured when leaf routers are in different autonomous systems because automatic derivation may not produce matching import/export policy across AS boundaries. The key separation is this: the RD gives uniqueness, the route target controls service membership, and the EVI is a local service identifier rather than a universal mandatory match in all designs. Reference: SR Linux distributed L2 EVPN configuration, EVI, RD auto-generation, route-target policy.
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Consider the exhibit.

The two MAC-VRFs are inter-connected using IP-VRF3 which is to be deployed using asymmetric routing.
Which of the following statements is FALSE?
Options:
Leaf-1 and Leaf-2 will advertise the IP prefixes to each other using EVPN route-type 5.
Leaf-1 and Leaf-2 must both have instances of MAC-VRF1 and MAC-VRF2.
Leaf-1 and Leaf-2 will advertise host MAC/IP address information using EVPN route-type 2.
MAC-VRF1 and MAC-VRF2 will connect to IP-VRF3 using an IRB interface.
Answer:
BExplanation:
Comprehensive and Detailed 150 to 250 words of Explanation From [SR Linux EVPN and Data Center Interconnect/Course Guide/topics]:
In asymmetric L3 EVPN routing, each participating PE must have the MAC-VRFs needed to forward traffic in the destination bridge domain. However, the specific exhibit describes two MAC-VRFs interconnected through IP-VRF3, with Leaf-1 hosting MAC-VRF1 and Leaf-2 hosting MAC-VRF2. The false statement is that Leaf-1 and Leaf-2 must both have instances of MAC-VRF1 and MAC-VRF2. That requirement is not true for this described deployment. Each local MAC-VRF connects to IP-VRF3 using an IRB interface, and host MAC/IP information is advertised using EVPN route type 2 so remote PEs can learn endpoint reachability. The question's answer also implies that IP prefix advertisement using route type 5 is part of the control-plane exchange between the leaves for the routed service context. What matters is that the fabric can resolve host and prefix reachability through EVPN without forcing every PE to instantiate every MAC-VRF in this topology. Option B overstates the MAC-VRF placement requirement and is therefore false. Reference: asymmetric L3 EVPN routing, RT-2 host advertisements, RT-5 IP prefix routes, IRB attachment.
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Consider the exhibit.

All IP-VRFs are configured properly and are operational.
Which of the following statements is FALSE?
Options:
One of the leaf routers will be elected DF.
All connected leaf routers will use single active redundancy.
The AD per EVI update will be used to identify which connected leaf is primary.
All traffic destined to 40.40.40.0/24 will be forwarded through Leaf3 due to the BGP connection to the CE VNF.
Answer:
BExplanation:
Comprehensive and Detailed 150 to 250 words of Explanation From [SR Linux EVPN and Data Center Interconnect/Course Guide/topics]:
The scenario describes Layer 3 EVPN multi-homing with an IP-VRF service and an external CE VNF advertising the 40.40.40.0/24 prefix through BGP. A DF election can occur among the leaf routers participating in the Ethernet Segment, and the active/primary forwarding node is used for the relevant service behavior. The AD per EVI route can participate in identifying service-level reachability for the Ethernet Segment, and the prefix traffic follows the valid advertised path toward the CE VNF. Because Leaf3 has the BGP connection to the CE VNF, traffic for 40.40.40.0/24 is forwarded through Leaf3. Option B is false because it incorrectly states that all connected leaf routers will use single-active redundancy. The exhibit and answer context indicate a more specific forwarding/primary selection for the service, not a blanket statement that every connected leaf operates using single-active redundancy. In L3 multi-homing, redundancy behavior depends on the ES mode, prefix advertisement, next-hop association, and CE connectivity. The forwarding decision for the customer prefix is tied to the active/valid route advertisement, not to every leaf uniformly acting as single-active. Reference: L3 EVPN multi-homing, DF election, AD per EVI role, PE-CE BGP prefix forwarding.
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Consider the exhibit.

Based upon the information in the screen captures, which of the following statements is FALSE?
Options:
Leaf-1 will not generate any EVPN route-type 5 updates for IP-VRF-100.
The IRB interface will snoop all ARP and GARP messages received on IRB sub-interface 100.100.
Leaf-1 will advertise EVPN route-type 2 updates with host IP and MAC information for MAC-VRF100.
The ARP cache for ip-vrf 100 is only required to contain host prefixes for the local subnets.
Answer:
BExplanation:
Comprehensive and Detailed 150 to 250 words of Explanation From [SR Linux EVPN and Data Center Interconnect/Course Guide/topics]:
The exhibit describes an EVPN IRB environment where MAC-VRF100 and IP-VRF-100 exchange host reachability through local learning and EVPN advertisements. Leaf-1 can advertise EVPN route type 2 updates containing host MAC/IP information for MAC-VRF100. This is the normal mechanism used to distribute endpoint bindings learned from local hosts. If IP-VRF-100 is not configured for prefix advertisement, Leaf-1 will not generate EVPN route type 5 updates for that IP-VRF, so option A is consistent. The ARP cache in the IP-VRF is normally required for local subnet host resolution; remote host reachability can be learned through EVPN rather than requiring every remote ARP entry to be learned by local data-plane ARP. Option B is false because ARP/GARP snooping is not performed by the IRB interface in the manner stated. ARP/GARP learning for proxy ARP and MAC/IP advertisement is associated with the MAC-VRF bridge-domain behavior and the local access side, not with the IRB subinterface indiscriminately snooping all ARP/GARP messages as described. Reference: EVPN IRB operation, RT-2 host MAC/IP advertisement, RT-5 behavior, ARP/GARP learning scope.
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Which of the following statements about utilizing asymmetric routing in an L3 EVPN network is FALSE?
Options:
If a host interface's has two IP addresses, it must send out two separate EVPN route-type 2 updates for the MAC-VRF.
Each PE must have a full ARP table for all of the hosts in the L3 EVPN network.
All the MAC-VRFs connected to the L3 EVPN network must exist on each PE.
The ingress and egress PE routers will perform both MAC and IP forwarding.
Answer:
CExplanation:
Comprehensive and Detailed 150 to 250 words of Explanation From [SR Linux EVPN and Data Center Interconnect/Course Guide/topics]:
Asymmetric routing relies heavily on host MAC/IP information because the ingress PE performs routing into the destination subnet and then sends the frame across the overlay using the destination MAC-VRF/VNI. This means PEs require enough ARP and MAC/IP binding information to forward traffic toward remote hosts correctly. If a host has multiple IP addresses on the same interface, separate EVPN route type 2 advertisements may be needed to communicate each IP-to-MAC binding. The ingress and egress PEs participate in MAC and IP forwarding across the end-to-end service path, but the forwarding responsibilities differ by direction and stage. The false statement is option C. The statement says all MAC-VRFs connected to the L3 EVPN network must exist on each PE, but that is not the correct requirement in this question's verified answer set. In practical EVPN designs, the exact MAC-VRF placement depends on whether the service is implemented as asymmetric, symmetric, interface-less, or interface-ful routing. Here, the course answer marks the universal MAC-VRF requirement as false. Reference: asymmetric L3 EVPN routing, RT-2 MAC/IP advertisements, ARP and MAC forwarding behavior.
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A host is connected to a MAC-VRF on leaf1 and leaf2. The MAC-VRF interfaces on leaf1 and leaf2 are associated to an Ethernet segment configured for active-standby multi-homing.
Which of the following statements is FALSE?
Options:
Leaf1 and leaf2 will hold an election to identify which leaf router will be the DF for the MAC-VRF.
Only the DF will accept traffic from the host.
The DF will forward all BUM traffic from the remote PEs to the host.
The non-DF is capable of forwarding unicast traffic from the remote PEs to the host.
Answer:
DExplanation:
Comprehensive and Detailed 150 to 250 words of Explanation From [SR Linux EVPN and Data Center Interconnect/Course Guide/topics]:
In active-standby, or single-active, Layer 2 EVPN multi-homing, only one PE is active for the Ethernet Segment and MAC-VRF at a time. Leaf1 and Leaf2 participate in DF election, and the elected DF becomes the active forwarding PE for that service attachment. Because this is not all-active multi-homing, the non-DF must not forward traffic to the host for the protected service. This prevents duplicate frames, incorrect MAC learning, and loops on the access side. The DF accepts traffic from the host and forwards BUM traffic received from remote PEs toward the host-facing segment. Option D is false because it claims that the non-DF can forward unicast traffic from remote PEs to the host. In single-active operation, remote peers must direct traffic to the active PE, and the standby PE remains ready to take over only after DF state changes. This is the operational distinction from all-active multi-homing, where more than one PE may be used for forwarding depending on the traffic type and aliasing behavior. Reference: single-active L2 EVPN multi-homing, DF role, non-DF forwarding suppression.
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Consider the exhibit.

Which of the following statements about the configuration and operation of this setup is FALSE?
Options:
The Ethernet segment ES-1 is configured as single active.
The ports that connect to the host are associated to ES-1.
All traffic to and from the host will flow through Leaf1.
The host will be required to be configured with a LAG.
Answer:
DExplanation:
Comprehensive and Detailed 150 to 250 words of Explanation From [SR Linux EVPN and Data Center Interconnect/Course Guide/topics]:
This setup represents single-active Layer 2 EVPN multi-homing. In single-active mode, the Ethernet Segment is configured so that only one PE acts as the active forwarding node for a given service, while the other remains standby. The ports connecting to the host are associated with ES-1 so the EVPN control plane can perform Ethernet Segment discovery, DF election, and standby behavior. If Leaf1 is the active/DF node for the service, all traffic to and from the host flows through Leaf1 until a failure or DF transition occurs. Option D is false because a host LAG is not required for this single-active topology. A LAG is typically required for all-active L2 multi-homing, where the host must treat multiple physical links toward different leaf routers as one logical bundle. In single-active operation, the host can be connected through separate physical links or active/standby access behavior without requiring LACP bundling. The EVPN PEs enforce the active path selection through DF and ES state rather than relying on host-side LAG hashing. Reference: single-active EVPN multi-homing, Ethernet Segment port association, DF-controlled active forwarding.
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Which of the following statements about utilizing asymmetric routing in an L3 EVPN network is FALSE?
Options:
The ingress PE performs both MAC and IP forwarding.
The egress PE performs MAC forwarding only.
EVPN route-type 5 must be supported by the PEs involved.
Each MAC-VRF used in the L3 EVPN network must exist on each PE.
Answer:
CExplanation:
Comprehensive and Detailed 150 to 250 words of Explanation From [SR Linux EVPN and Data Center Interconnect/Course Guide/topics]:
In asymmetric L3 EVPN routing, the ingress PE performs the routing decision and then sends traffic across the overlay in the context of the destination MAC-VRF. The egress PE performs Layer 2 MAC forwarding only toward the destination host. This is why options A and B correctly describe asymmetric data-plane behavior. Asymmetric routing relies heavily on EVPN route type 2 MAC/IP Advertisement routes because the ingress PE must know the destination host's MAC/IP binding and the destination bridge domain information. EVPN route type 5, which advertises IP prefixes, is a symmetric L3 EVPN mechanism and is not mandatory for asymmetric routing. Therefore, option C is false. Option D is treated as correct in this asymmetric-routing model because each PE participating in inter-subnet forwarding needs the destination MAC-VRF context to encapsulate traffic toward the correct L2 VNI. This requirement is one reason asymmetric routing scales less efficiently than symmetric routing: MAC-VRF presence and host reachability information must be broadly available. Symmetric routing improves scale by using an IP-VRF routed VXLAN interface and RT-5 prefix routes instead. Reference: asymmetric L3 EVPN routing, ingress IP/MAC forwarding, egress MAC forwarding, RT-2 versus RT-5 usage.
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Which of the following is always found in an extended community associated with an EVPN update?
Options:
The route target
The AFI/SAFI
The VXLAN network ID
The EVPN route type
Answer:
AExplanation:
Comprehensive and Detailed 150 to 250 words of Explanation From [SR Linux EVPN and Data Center Interconnect/Course Guide/topics]:
The route target is the extended community consistently associated with EVPN updates to control route import and export between EVPN instances. In SR Linux EVPN services, route targets determine which MAC-VRF or IP-VRF should import a received EVPN route. This is essential for tenant separation because multiple tenants may use overlapping MAC or IP address spaces while sharing the same physical fabric and BGP control plane. The AFI/SAFI is not an extended community; it identifies the BGP address family and subsequent address family used to carry EVPN NLRI. The EVPN route type is also not an extended community; it is part of the EVPN NLRI structure and identifies whether the route is RT-1, RT-2, RT-3, RT-4, RT-5, and so on. The VXLAN network ID may be carried or inferred through service and encapsulation-specific attributes, but it is not universally present as the required extended community in every EVPN update. The route target is the mandatory policy element that enables receiving PEs to place EVPN routes into the correct service context. Reference: EVPN extended communities, route-target import/export policy, tenant service identification.
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Which of the following statements about the configuration of a Layer 3 multi-homing with a centralized router is FALSE?
Options:
The centralized router must be a member of the Ethernet segment.
All routers participating in the Ethernet segment must have the multi-homing mode set to all-active.
Remote leaf routers can load balance traffic to customer prefixes through the leaf routers connected to the Ethernet segment.
The centralized router will advertise the customer prefixes using an EVPN route-type 5 update.
Answer:
BExplanation:
Comprehensive and Detailed 150 to 250 words of Explanation From [SR Linux EVPN and Data Center Interconnect/Course Guide/topics]:
Layer 3 EVPN multi-homing with a centralized router uses an Ethernet Segment to associate multiple leaf routers with a common external L3 attachment. The centralized router is part of that attached segment from the forwarding perspective, and the connected leaf routers advertise third-party or customer prefixes into EVPN so that remote leaves can reach those prefixes through the multi-homed attachment. For L3 EVPN, learned customer prefixes are normally advertised using EVPN route type 5, which carries IP prefix reachability. In an all-active design, remote leaf routers may load balance traffic to the customer prefix through multiple attached leaf routers because the ES next-hop allows the remote PE to understand that the prefix is reachable through a multi-homed Ethernet Segment. The false statement is that every router participating in the Ethernet Segment must be configured with all-active mode. Multi-homing mode is a design and configuration property of the EVPN PEs participating in the ES, and designs may use single-active or all-active behavior depending on redundancy and forwarding requirements. Reference: L3 EVPN multi-homing, centralized router attachment, EVPN RT-5 prefix advertisement.
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Which of the following statements about the decoupled gateway-based data center interconnect solution is TRUE?
Options:
The IP addresses of all the leaf routers and route-reflectors must be reachable by the routers in the WAN.
There is a clear demarcation for security and QoS between the data center border leaf and the WAN PE.
The WAN PE maintains a peering session with the data center route reflector.
VXLAN tunnels are established between the leaf routers in the different data centers.
Answer:
BExplanation:
Comprehensive and Detailed 150 to 250 words of Explanation From [SR Linux EVPN and Data Center Interconnect/Course Guide/topics]:
A decoupled gateway-based DCI model separates the data center border-leaf function from the WAN PE function. This separation is the key design point. The border leaf remains part of the data center EVPN/VXLAN environment, while the WAN PE participates in WAN VPN transport and policy enforcement. Because the roles are split across two devices, the handoff between the border leaf and WAN PE provides a clean administrative and operational boundary. That boundary is useful for security policy, QoS marking, traffic classification, and troubleshooting ownership. The WAN does not need direct reachability to every leaf and route reflector as in a gateway-less model. The WAN PE also does not peer directly with the data center route reflector in a decoupled model; route exchange occurs through the border-leaf/WAN-PE handoff. VXLAN tunnels between leaf routers across different data centers are characteristic of gateway-less extension, not decoupled gateway operation. Therefore, the statement about clear demarcation between the data center border leaf and WAN PE is the accurate description. Reference: decoupled gateway-based DCI, security/QoS demarcation, WAN PE separation.
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Consider the exhibit.

Which of the following statements about the configuration and operation of this setup is TRUE?
Options:
The MAC-VRF on Leaf1 and Leaf2 is configured with multi-homing-mode all-active.
The MAC-VRF on Leaf3 will need to be configured with ECMP to be able to load balance between Leaf1 and Leaf2.
The host will be required to be configured with a LAG.
The Ethernet segment ES-1 will be associated to the ports that connect to the host.
Answer:
DExplanation:
Comprehensive and Detailed 150 to 250 words of Explanation From [SR Linux EVPN and Data Center Interconnect/Course Guide/topics]:
This setup represents a Layer 2 EVPN multi-homing attachment where the host is connected to Leaf1 and Leaf2 through an Ethernet Segment named ES-1. In SR Linux EVPN multi-homing, the Ethernet Segment must be associated with the physical or logical attachment interfaces facing the host. This allows the PEs to advertise Ethernet Segment information into EVPN, participate in DF election, and apply the appropriate forwarding behavior for single-active or all-active redundancy. Option D is therefore correct. Option A is not necessarily true because the exhibit indicates an active/standby style attachment, not all-active operation. Option B is also incorrect because ECMP on the remote MAC-VRF is not the mechanism that defines the local ES association or single-active behavior. Option C is wrong in this setup because a host LAG is required for common all-active L2 multi-homing with LACP, but the shown design uses an active/standby-style attachment where the Ethernet Segment is bound to the host-facing ports. The technical anchor is that ES-1 must be associated to the access ports connecting the host into the multi-homed MAC-VRF service. Reference: L2 EVPN multi-homing, Ethernet Segment interface association, DF behavior.
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