The answer is to configure the interface as passive within the OSPF process. This works because a passive interface in OSPF still advertises its connected network into the OSPF link-state database, but it completely stops sending and processing Hello packets, preventing neighbor formation on that segment. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this concept tests your understanding of OSPF neighbor requirements versus route advertisement—a common trap is thinking that disabling OSPF on the interface also stops the network advertisement, but passive-interface achieves exactly the opposite. The search intent keywords “OSPF passive interface not send hello advertise network” capture this precise behavior: you want the network advertised without the overhead of Hello packets. A solid memory tip is “Passive means silent, not invisible”—the route is still seen by the network, but the interface makes no noise.
CCNA IP Routing Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of ip routing. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. A key principle to apply: oSPF advertises connected networks only if the interface is enabled in the OSPF process or matched by a network statement.. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
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?
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.
Key principle: OSPF advertises connected networks only if the interface is enabled in the OSPF process or matched by a network statement.
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
OSPF must still be enabled for the connected subnet to be advertised.
Related concept
OSPF advertises connected networks only if the interface is enabled in the OSPF process or matched by a network statement.
✓
Configure the interface as passive in the OSPF process
Why this is correct
Passive-interface stops hello packets while keeping the connected network in the LSDB.
Related concept
OSPF advertises connected networks only if the interface is enabled in the OSPF process or matched by a network statement.
✗
Set the interface network type to point-to-point
Why it's wrong here
Changing network type does not suppress hellos.
✗
Apply distribute-list out on the interface
Why it's wrong here
A distribute list affects route advertisement policy, not OSPF hello generation on a local segment.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) is a link-state routing protocol that relies on hello packets to discover and maintain neighbor relationships between routers. These hello packets are multicast periodically on OSPF-enabled interfaces to establish adjacencies and exchange routing information. However, there are scenarios where a router interface must advertise its connected network into OSPF without sending hello packets, such as when the interface connects to end devices or non-OSPF routers.
To achieve this, the interface must first be included in the OSPF process by enabling OSPF on the interface or matching it with a network statement. Then, configuring the interface as passive in the OSPF process stops the transmission and reception of hello packets on that interface. This passive-interface setting ensures the connected network is advertised in the OSPF link-state database (LSDB) but prevents OSPF neighbor formation on that segment. This is particularly useful for LAN interfaces connected to hosts or devices that do not participate in OSPF.
A common exam trap is confusing passive-interface with other interface settings like changing the network type or applying distribute-lists. Changing the network type (e.g., to point-to-point) does not suppress hello packets, and distribute-lists only filter routing updates, not hello packets. Understanding this distinction is critical for correctly answering questions about controlling OSPF hello packet behavior while still advertising connected networks. In practical networks, passive interfaces reduce unnecessary OSPF traffic and improve stability on LAN segments without OSPF routers.
KKey Concepts to Remember
OSPF advertises connected networks only if the interface is enabled in the OSPF process or matched by a network statement.
Configuring an interface as passive in OSPF prevents the sending and receiving of hello packets but still advertises the connected network.
OSPF hello packets are essential for neighbor discovery and adjacency formation on active interfaces.
Passive interfaces in OSPF do not form neighbor relationships, which is useful for interfaces connected to end devices or LAN segments without routers.
Changing the OSPF network type does not suppress hello packets; it only modifies how OSPF treats the interface for adjacency and DR/BDR election.
Distribute-lists in OSPF control route advertisement filtering but do not affect hello packet transmission on interfaces.
To advertise a connected network in OSPF, the interface must be included in the OSPF process, either by enabling OSPF on the interface or using a matching network statement.
Passive-interface configuration is a common method to advertise networks without forming OSPF adjacencies or sending hello packets.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
OSPF advertises connected networks only if the interface is enabled in the OSPF process or matched by a network statement.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A network engineer at a university connects two campus buildings via a fibre link. Both routers run OSPF, but no adjacency forms — even though both routers can ping each other. The engineer finds one router is in area 0 and the other in area 1. OSPF adjacency requires matching area numbers, hello/dead timers, and network type. IP reachability alone is not enough.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 200-301 question in full detail.
Review oSPF advertises connected networks only if the interface is enabled in the OSPF process or matched by a network statement., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
IP Routing — This question tests IP Routing — OSPF advertises connected networks only if the interface is enabled in the OSPF process or matched by a network statement..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 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.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review oSPF advertises connected networks only if the interface is enabled in the OSPF process or matched by a network statement., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
OSPF advertises connected networks only if the interface is enabled in the OSPF process or matched by a network statement.
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