What Must Be Defined for SD-WAN Application-Aware Routing?
Short answer
A Color, SLA Class, Site, and VPN must be defined before creating the application-aware routing policy, while a data prefix list is not required.
Question
Key Takeaways
It tests the prerequisites for an application-aware routing policy in Cisco SD-WAN; the common trap is assuming a data prefix list is required when routing decisions are made by application signature and SLA, not by prefix.
Application-aware routing in Cisco SD-WAN requires several components beyond the application list to steer video traffic over MPLS while sending other traffic over the public internet. This page confirms that the correct prerequisites are Color, SLA Class, Site, and VPN, not a prefix list.
Common mistake: Many candidates choose Prefix (option D) because they think the Service VPN subnet must be matched explicitly, but application-aware routing matches on application and uses SLA class plus preferred color, so a data prefix is not mandatory.
Expert Analysis
Why the Answer Is Correct
Cisco SD-WAN application-aware routing (AAR) requires a set of policy building blocks beyond the application list itself. You must define an SLA Class that specifies latency, loss, and jitter thresholds, and you must define a Site list and a VPN list to scope where the policy applies. Additionally, the preferred color (e.g., MPLS) must be configured on the TLOC, because the SLA action steers traffic based on color. The requirement to prefer MPLS for video and use public internet for the rest means both colors must be present and the policy selects them. Therefore, Color, SLA Class, Site, and VPN are the necessary definitions before creating the AAR policy.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option B lists Data Prefix, Site, VPN, and TLOC; however, TLOC is not a list defined for AAR, and a data prefix list is optional, not mandatory. Option C includes Application (already given) and Prefix, omitting the crucial SLA Class and Color. Option D replaces Color with Prefix, but a prefix list is not required because AAR identifies traffic by application signature, not by subnet. The Service VPN 50.0.0.0/16 is scoped via the VPN list, not a prefix list. Thus, D is a common distractor based on a misunderstanding of how AAR matches traffic.
Community Comment Notes
Outlaw_87 cited a CBT Nuggets course by Knox Hutchinson to confirm A, showing that many learners rely on reputable video training. Gycu succinctly noted that "MPLS is a color," highlighting why Color is an essential prerequisite. rubendrios explained that an "SLA Class list" defines "maximum permitted latency, loss, and jitter" and that the "Preferred Color field" is part of the action, reinforcing the need for SLA Class and Color. Meanwhile, 34b33cd argued that "Without defining prefix, where will you send the traffic?" but this overlooks that AAR matches on application, not prefix, and the VPN list handles the service VPN scope. The community majority aligns with A, and the technical reasoning supports it.
Official Reference
This link opens the official vendor documentation in a new tab.
Exam Strategy
Focus on the vManage policy workflow: application-aware routing requires an application list, an SLA class, a site list, a VPN list, and a preferred color. If an option includes a data prefix list or TLOC list, it's likely a distractor because those are not mandatory for AAR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is a data prefix list not required for application-aware routing?
Is a color list mandatory before creating an application-aware routing policy?
Community Votes
71% of anonymous learners picked answer A. Votes are pick records left by other test-takers — they are not the verified answer.
Discussion 9 contributions
Compiled from public community threads and reader submissions, lightly edited for clarity. Handles and vote tallies are shown as recorded, and comments reflect the views of individual contributors.
From public community threads 9
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Outlaw_87 👍 4 Answered AA is correct. Source: CBT Nuggets Cisco SD-WAN video course (instructor Knox Hutchinson) Section: Configure SD-WAN Application Aware Routing
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Gycu 👍 2 Answered AA correct MPLS is a color, so A
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rubendrios 👍 1 Answered AA is correct. There is a new type of list used specifically for App-Route policies, called an SLA Class, Network administrators use an SLA Class list to define the maximum permitted latency, loss, and jitter. Two fields have been configured in this action: SLA Class and the Preferred Color. The Preferred Color field contains the color or colors that the network administrator desires to forward this application class across, as long as those colors are in compliance with the SLA class. specify the VPN or VPNs that the policy is to be applied
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mikidvd51 👍 1Honestly, I find the cisco SDWAN has not matured yet. So many contradictive views on every other question.... this is not a coincidence. GUI menu, wording, procedures, hierarchy, clarity.. All this needs to be pilled and pilled yet more...
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34b33cd 👍 1 Answered DOption A doesn't have prefix. Without defining prefix, where will you send the traffic? I understand SLA class must match MPLS (color) for video traffic but option A doesn't have a meaning without prefix.
Show 4 more comments
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kedir_ccnp 👍 3 Answered AA is correct
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Knowledge33 👍 1 Answered DTha answer is D
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Rcont 👍 1 Answered DD is Correct
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thomazmr 👍 1 Answered Dcorrect D,
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