CCNA IP Routing Practice Question
A branch router is running single-area OSPF. An engineer wants an interface to advertise its connected network into OSPF but must prevent hello packets from being sent on that LAN segment. Which two actions achieve that goal?
⚠ Common exam trap
A frequent exam trap is assuming that changing the OSPF network type or applying a distribute-list on the interface will stop hello packets. Many candidates mistakenly believe that setting the interface to point-to-point suppresses hellos, but it only changes adjacency behavior. Similarly, distribute-lists filter routing updates but do not affect hello packet transmission. The key mistake is forgetting that OSPF must be enabled on the interface to advertise the network and that only the passive-interface command prevents hello packets while still advertising the connected subnet.
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
✓
Enable OSPF on the interface or matching network statement
In OSPF, a passive interface still advertises the connected network but does not send or process hello packets. So the interface must participate in OSPF, and then it must be made passive.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Enable OSPF on the interface or matching network statement
Why this is correct
Enabling OSPF on an interface directly using `ip ospf <process-id> area <area-id>` or via a `network` statement under the OSPF process configuration ensures the connected network is advertised into the OSPF routing domain. This action directly satisfies the requirement to advertise the interface's connected network into OSPF, forming one part of the overall solution.
- ✓
Configure the interface as passive in the OSPF process
Why this is correct
Configuring the interface as passive in the OSPF process stops Hello packets from being transmitted or received, so no adjacency forms, but the connected network is still injected into the LSDB as a stub network. This is often used on broadcast segments to prevent unnecessary neighbor relationships while still advertising the subnet. It is a correct supplementary action, but it does not replace the need to enable OSPF on the interface via a network statement or ip ospf command.
- ✗
Set the interface network type to point-to-point
Why it's wrong here
Setting the OSPF network type to point-to-point on the interface changes timer values and eliminates DR/BDR election, but Hellos are still sent periodically and the interface remains fully active in the OSPF process. Since the requirement is to prevent Hello transmission while still advertising the connected network, this does not satisfy it. The point-to-point type is appropriate for serial links but does not suppress adjacency formation.
- ✗
Apply distribute-list out on the interface
Why it's wrong here
A distribute-list out is used to filter routes from being advertised in routing updates, but OSPF does not use it to suppress Hellos; OSPF relies on the Hello protocol for neighbor discovery. This command operates on the routing table and redistributed routes, not on interface-level OSPF processes like Hello transmission. Thus, applying a distribute-list out on the interface has no bearing on whether the interface sends or receives Hellos.
Visual reference
Quick reference
Routing Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Metric | Max Hops | Algorithm | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIP v2 | Hop count | 15 | Bellman-Ford | Distance vector |
| OSPF | Cost (bandwidth) | Unlimited | Dijkstra (SPF) | Link state |
| EIGRP | Composite metric | Unlimited | DUAL | Hybrid |
| IS-IS | Cost | Unlimited | Dijkstra | Link state |
| BGP | Policy / attributes | Unlimited | Path vector | Path vector |
RIP's 15-hop limit makes it unsuitable for large networks. OSPF and EIGRP dominate modern enterprise deployments.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
OSPFv3 Single-Area Configuration for IPv6
Key term
Segment
A segment is a division of a larger network, such as a collision domain, broadcast domain, or a portion of a TCP data stream, used to organize traffic and improve performance.
Key term
Interface
An interface is a point of connection or interaction between two systems, devices, or software components that allows them to exchange information or signals.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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