- A
Configure OSPF process and router-id on R1, then add the network; repeat on R2; ensure interfaces are up; finally verify neighbor states.
This is the correct sequence: first configure OSPF and router-id on R1, then advertise networks; repeat on R2; ensure interfaces are up; then verify neighbor states to observe transitions from Down to Full.
- B
Configure OSPF process and router-id on R1, then ensure interfaces are up; repeat on R2; add the network; finally verify neighbor states.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because interfaces must be up before OSPF can form adjacencies, but the network command should be configured before verifying neighbor states; however, the order of 'ensure interfaces up' and 'add network' is swapped relative to the correct sequence.
- C
Ensure interfaces are up on both routers, then configure OSPF process and router-id on R1; add the network; repeat on R2; finally verify neighbor states.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because OSPF configuration should be done before verifying neighbor states, but the order of 'ensure interfaces up' before OSPF configuration is acceptable; however, the network command must be added after OSPF process, and the sequence is otherwise correct but the placement of 'ensure interfaces up' is not wrong, but the question expects a specific order that starts with OSPF configuration.
- D
Configure OSPF process and router-id on R1, then add the network; ensure interfaces are up; repeat on R2; finally verify neighbor states.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because after configuring OSPF on R1, you should repeat the process on R2 before verifying neighbor states; ensuring interfaces up can be done at any point, but the sequence should complete configuration on both routers before verification.
CCNA IP Routing Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of ip routing. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. 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.
Drag and drop the following steps into the correct order to configure a single-area OSPFv2 network on two Cisco routers (R1 and R2) and observe the neighbor state transitions from Down to Full.
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
Configure OSPF process and router-id on R1, then add the network; repeat on R2; ensure interfaces are up; finally verify neighbor states.
First configure OSPF process and router-id on R1, then add the network; repeat on R2; ensure interfaces are up; finally verify neighbor states to see the full transition sequence.
Key principle: OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Configure OSPF process and router-id on R1, then add the network; repeat on R2; ensure interfaces are up; finally verify neighbor states.
- ✗
Configure OSPF process and router-id on R1, then ensure interfaces are up; repeat on R2; add the network; finally verify neighbor states.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because interfaces must be up before OSPF can form adjacencies, but the network command should be configured before verifying neighbor states; however, the order of 'ensure interfaces up' and 'add network' is swapped relative to the correct sequence.
- ✗
Ensure interfaces are up on both routers, then configure OSPF process and router-id on R1; add the network; repeat on R2; finally verify neighbor states.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because OSPF configuration should be done before verifying neighbor states, but the order of 'ensure interfaces up' before OSPF configuration is acceptable; however, the network command must be added after OSPF process, and the sequence is otherwise correct but the placement of 'ensure interfaces up' is not wrong, but the question expects a specific order that starts with OSPF configuration.
- ✗
Configure OSPF process and router-id on R1, then add the network; ensure interfaces are up; repeat on R2; finally verify neighbor states.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because after configuring OSPF on R1, you should repeat the process on R2 before verifying neighbor states; ensuring interfaces up can be done at any point, but the sequence should complete configuration on both routers before verification.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The 200-301 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓Configure OSPF process and router-id on R1, then add the network; repeat on R2; ensure interfaces are up; finally verify neighbor states.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
This is the correct sequence: first configure OSPF and router-id on R1, then advertise networks; repeat on R2; ensure interfaces are up; then verify neighbor states to observe transitions from Down to Full.
✗Configure OSPF process and router-id on R1, then ensure interfaces are up; repeat on R2; add the network; finally verify neighbor states.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error: The network command should be configured after OSPF process and router-id, but before verifying neighbor states; ensuring interfaces up can be done before or after OSPF configuration, but typically after network command to avoid false down states.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think interfaces must be up before any OSPF configuration, but OSPF can be configured first; the key is that the network command must be present for OSPF to form adjacencies.
✗Ensure interfaces are up on both routers, then configure OSPF process and router-id on R1; add the network; repeat on R2; finally verify neighbor states.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error: While ensuring interfaces up early is not wrong, the standard procedure is to configure OSPF first; the question expects the order as in option A.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think that interfaces must be up before any OSPF configuration to avoid errors, but OSPF can be configured on down interfaces; the neighbor state will not progress until interfaces are up.
✗Configure OSPF process and router-id on R1, then add the network; ensure interfaces are up; repeat on R2; finally verify neighbor states.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error: The step 'ensure interfaces are up' is placed after adding network on R1 but before configuring R2, which is not the typical order; the correct order is to complete configuration on both routers before verification.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think that interfaces must be up on R1 before moving to R2, but OSPF configuration on R2 does not depend on R1's interface state; the neighbor state will not form until both sides are configured.
Analysis generated from the official 200-301blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: OSPF can fail even when IP connectivity looks correct
OSPF neighbour formation depends on matching areas, timers, network type, authentication and passive-interface behaviour. Do not choose an answer only because the devices can ping.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
This is incorrect because interfaces must be up before OSPF can form adjacencies, but the network command should be configured before verifying neighbor states; however, the order of 'ensure interfaces up' and 'add network' is swapped relative to the correct sequence.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
OSPF questions usually test the details that control adjacency and route selection. Read the neighbour state, area, router ID and interface configuration before deciding what is wrong.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
- Router ID selection can affect neighbour relationships and LSDB output.
- OSPF cost influences the preferred path.
- A route can appear in OSPF information but not become the installed route.
TExam Day Tips
- Check area mismatch first when OSPF adjacency fails.
- Review passive interfaces when a network is advertised but no neighbour forms.
- Use show ip ospf neighbor and show ip route clues carefully.
Key takeaway
OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related 200-301 OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
IP Routing — This question tests IP Routing — OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure OSPF process and router-id on R1, then add the network; repeat on R2; ensure interfaces are up; finally verify neighbor states. — First configure OSPF process and router-id on R1, then add the network; repeat on R2; ensure interfaces are up; finally verify neighbor states to see the full transition sequence.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related 200-301 OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
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Last reviewed: Jun 6, 2026
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.
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