What is the primary function of a VRF on a router?

Question

Options

• AIt enables the router to support multiple separate routing tables, which allows the device to handle
• BIt enables a router to run BGP and a distance vector routing protocol at the same time, which
• CIt enables a router to configure VLANs locally, which provides segregation between networks.
• DIt enables the router to provide faster switching through the network by using labels to identify the

• A
  87% (26)
• B
  3% (1)
• C
  3% (1)
• D
  7% (2)

Explanation

VRF (Virtual Routing and Forwarding) creates multiple independent routing table instances on a single physical router, allowing completely isolated network paths to coexist - this is option A. It's commonly used by service providers to keep customer traffic separated without needing dedicated hardware per customer.

Why the distractors are wrong:

• B describes multi-protocol routing support, which is a separate router capability unrelated to VRF.
• C conflates Layer 2 (VLANs/switching) with Layer 3 (routing); VLANs are configured on switches and have nothing to do with VRF.
• D describes MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching), which uses labels for fast path forwarding - a distinct technology, though VRF and MPLS are often used together in VPN deployments.

Memory tip: Think of VRF as giving the router multiple "virtual" routing tables - like separate GPS maps for different customers on the same device. The R in VRF = Routing table isolation.

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