CCNA IP Routing Practice Question
A network administrator is configuring OSPFv2 on a Cisco router. The router is connected to two different areas: Area 0 and Area 1. The administrator wants to summarize the routes from Area 1 into Area 0. Which two statements are true about OSPF inter-area route summarization? (Choose two.)
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse the roles of ABR and ASBR and mixing up the area range and summary-address commands, which are used for different types of summarization.
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
✓
Summarization is configured on the ABR using the area range command.
Inter-area route summarization in OSPF is performed on an Area Border Router (ABR) using the area range command. The ABR advertises a single Type 3 summary LSA for the summarized prefix into other areas, reducing the number of LSAs and routing table entries. It does not require a stub area, and the summary-address command is for external summarization on an ASBR.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Summarization is configured on the ABR using the area range command.
Why this is correct
The area range command is used on an Area Border Router (ABR) to summarize routes from a specific area into other areas. It takes the area ID and the summary prefix as parameters. This command helps reduce the size of the routing table in other areas by advertising a single summary route instead of multiple more specific routes.
- ✓
The summary route is advertised as a Type 3 LSA.
Why this is correct
When an ABR summarizes routes from one area into another, it generates a Type 3 summary LSA (Network Summary LSA) for the summary prefix. This LSA is flooded into the other areas, allowing routers in those areas to reach the summarized destinations via the ABR. Type 3 LSAs are used for inter-area routes.
- ✗
Summarization is configured using the summary-address command on the ABR.
Why it's wrong here
The summary-address command is used on an ASBR to summarize external routes (Type 5 LSAs) before they are injected into OSPF. It is not used for inter-area summarization. Inter-area summarization uses the area range command on an ABR. Therefore, this statement is incorrect for the scenario.
- ✗
Summarization requires the area to be a stub area.
Why it's wrong here
Inter-area summarization does not require the area to be a stub area. Stub areas are used to reduce LSAs by blocking external routes, but summarization can be applied to any area as long as it is configured on the ABR. The area can be normal, stub, or not-so-stubby; summarization is independent of the area type.
- ✗
Summarization can only be configured on an ASBR.
Why it's wrong here
Summarization of inter-area routes is performed on an ABR, not an ASBR. An ASBR is responsible for injecting external routes into OSPF and can perform external summarization using the summary-address command. Inter-area summarization is specifically an ABR function, so this statement is false.
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.
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Key term
Router
A router is a networking device that connects different networks together and directs data traffic between them by choosing the best path for data to travel.
Key term
Routing table
A routing table is a data set stored in a router or host that contains information about network paths and is used to determine where to forward data packets.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
This 200-301 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-301 exam.