CCNA IP Routing Practice Question
A router is running OSPFv2 and has learned multiple routes to the same destination. You need to ensure that OSPF installs the route with the lowest cost into the routing table. Which two statements about OSPF path selection are true? (Choose two.)
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming OSPF uses hop count like RIP; OSPF's metric is cost, which is based on bandwidth, and lower cost is always preferred.
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
✓
OSPF uses cost as the metric, which is calculated based on bandwidth.
OSPF uses cost as its metric, derived from interface bandwidth, and it prefers the lowest total cost path. When multiple paths have the same cost, OSPF performs equal-cost load balancing by default. The other statements are incorrect because OSPF does not use hop count, does not prefer higher cost, and does not require manual metric configuration.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
OSPF uses cost as the metric, which is calculated based on bandwidth.
Why this is correct
OSPF calculates cost using the formula reference bandwidth divided by interface bandwidth. By default, the reference bandwidth is 100 Mbps, so faster interfaces get lower costs. This metric directly influences path selection, and the route with the lowest total cost to the destination is preferred. This statement accurately describes OSPF's metric calculation.
- ✗
OSPF uses hop count as its metric to determine the best path.
Why it's wrong here
OSPF does not use hop count; that is a characteristic of RIP. OSPF uses cost, which is based on bandwidth. Hop count would be inadequate for large networks because it does not consider link speeds. Therefore, this statement is false and would not help in ensuring the lowest-cost path is selected.
- ✗
OSPF requires manual configuration of metrics on each interface to function.
Why it's wrong here
OSPF automatically assigns a default cost to each interface based on bandwidth; manual configuration is optional. The ip ospf cost command can override the default, but it is not required. Therefore, this statement is false. OSPF will function without any manual metric configuration, using the default reference bandwidth.
- ✗
OSPF selects the path with the highest cost to avoid congestion.
Why it's wrong here
OSPF selects the path with the lowest cost, not the highest. Higher cost indicates a slower or more congested path, so OSPF avoids it. The statement is the opposite of OSPF's behavior. Understanding that lower cost is preferred is fundamental to OSPF path selection.
- ✓
If multiple equal-cost paths exist, OSPF will load-balance across them by default.
Why this is correct
OSPF supports equal-cost multipath (ECMP). By default, it installs up to four equal-cost paths in the routing table, and the router will load-balance traffic across them. This is a standard behavior of OSPF and is enabled automatically. This statement correctly describes OSPF's default load-balancing capability.
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
OSPF Hello Packets and Neighbor Discovery
Key term
Bandwidth
Bandwidth is the maximum amount of data that can travel over a network connection in a given amount of time, usually measured in bits per second.
Key term
OSPFv2
OSPFv2 is a network routing protocol that helps routers share information about the best paths to send data across an IP network.
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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.