- A
1. Enter global configuration mode. 2. Enable OSPF with router ospf [process-id]. 3. Configure network statements with network [network] [wildcard-mask] area [area-id]. 4. Clear OSPF process with clear ip ospf process. 5. Verify neighbor states with show ip ospf neighbor.
This sequence correctly follows the standard OSPF configuration steps: entering global config, enabling OSPF, defining networks, clearing the process to force neighbor transitions, and verifying with show ip ospf neighbor.
- B
1. Enter global configuration mode. 2. Enable OSPF with router ospf [process-id]. 3. Configure network statements with network [network] [wildcard-mask] area [area-id]. 4. Verify neighbor states with show ip ospf neighbor. 5. Clear OSPF process with clear ip ospf process.
This is incorrect because verifying neighbor states before clearing the OSPF process would not show the transition from Down to Full; the neighbor adjacency may not have formed yet.
- C
1. Enter global configuration mode. 2. Configure network statements with network [network] [wildcard-mask] area [area-id]. 3. Enable OSPF with router ospf [process-id]. 4. Clear OSPF process with clear ip ospf process. 5. Verify neighbor states with show ip ospf neighbor.
This is incorrect because the OSPF process must be enabled before configuring network statements; otherwise, the network commands are rejected.
- D
1. Enter global configuration mode. 2. Enable OSPF with router ospf [process-id]. 3. Clear OSPF process with clear ip ospf process. 4. Configure network statements with network [network] [wildcard-mask] area [area-id]. 5. Verify neighbor states with show ip ospf neighbor.
This is incorrect because network statements must be configured before clearing the OSPF process; otherwise, clearing the process does not trigger neighbor transitions since no networks are defined.
Quick Answer
The correct order to configure single-area OSPFv2 and observe the neighbor state transition from Down to Full is: enter global configuration mode, enable OSPF with router ospf [process-id], configure network statements, clear the OSPF process, and then verify with show ip ospf neighbor. This sequence is correct because OSPF neighbor states progress through Down, Init, 2-Way, ExStart, Exchange, Loading, and finally Full only after the router has a valid OSPF configuration and the process is reset to force new adjacency negotiations. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this drag-and-drop task tests your understanding that clearing the OSPF process triggers the full state transition cycle, which is a common trap—many candidates mistakenly place verification before the clear command, but without resetting, the neighbor may already be Full and no transition is visible. A key memory tip is “GEC-V” for Global, Enable, Configure, Clear, Verify, ensuring you force the transition before checking the states.
CCNA IP Routing Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of ip routing. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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 single-area OSPFv2 on a router and verify 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
1. Enter global configuration mode. 2. Enable OSPF with router ospf [process-id]. 3. Configure network statements with network [network] [wildcard-mask] area [area-id]. 4. Clear OSPF process with clear ip ospf process. 5. Verify neighbor states with show ip ospf neighbor.
After configuring OSPF, clearing the process triggers neighbor state transitions from Down to Full, which can then be verified with the neighbor command. Note: Clearing the OSPF process is a disruptive action that resets all adjacencies. In production, use 'clear ip ospf process' only when necessary. For normal configuration verification, 'show ip ospf neighbor' is sufficient without clearing. Note: Clearing the OSPF process is a disruptive action that resets all adjacencies. In production, use 'clear ip ospf process' only when necessary. For normal configuration verification, 'show ip ospf neighbor' is sufficient without clearing.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
1. Enter global configuration mode. 2. Enable OSPF with router ospf [process-id]. 3. Configure network statements with network [network] [wildcard-mask] area [area-id]. 4. Clear OSPF process with clear ip ospf process. 5. Verify neighbor states with show ip ospf neighbor.
Why this is correct
This sequence correctly follows the standard OSPF configuration steps: entering global config, enabling OSPF, defining networks, clearing the process to force neighbor transitions, and verifying with show ip ospf neighbor.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✓
1. Enter global configuration mode. 2. Enable OSPF with router ospf [process-id]. 3. Configure network statements with network [network] [wildcard-mask] area [area-id]. 4. Verify neighbor states with show ip ospf neighbor. 5. Clear OSPF process with clear ip ospf process.
Why this is correct
This is incorrect because verifying neighbor states before clearing the OSPF process would not show the transition from Down to Full; the neighbor adjacency may not have formed yet.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✓
1. Enter global configuration mode. 2. Configure network statements with network [network] [wildcard-mask] area [area-id]. 3. Enable OSPF with router ospf [process-id]. 4. Clear OSPF process with clear ip ospf process. 5. Verify neighbor states with show ip ospf neighbor.
Why this is correct
This is incorrect because the OSPF process must be enabled before configuring network statements; otherwise, the network commands are rejected.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✓
1. Enter global configuration mode. 2. Enable OSPF with router ospf [process-id]. 3. Clear OSPF process with clear ip ospf process. 4. Configure network statements with network [network] [wildcard-mask] area [area-id]. 5. Verify neighbor states with show ip ospf neighbor.
Why this is correct
This is incorrect because network statements must be configured before clearing the OSPF process; otherwise, clearing the process does not trigger neighbor transitions since no networks are defined.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
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 Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related 200-301 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
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IP Routing — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
IP Routing — This question tests IP Routing — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 1. Enter global configuration mode. 2. Enable OSPF with router ospf [process-id]. 3. Configure network statements with network [network] [wildcard-mask] area [area-id]. 4. Clear OSPF process with clear ip ospf process. 5. Verify neighbor states with show ip ospf neighbor. — After configuring OSPF, clearing the process triggers neighbor state transitions from Down to Full, which can then be verified with the neighbor command. Note: Clearing the OSPF process is a disruptive action that resets all adjacencies. In production, use 'clear ip ospf process' only when necessary. For normal configuration verification, 'show ip ospf neighbor' is sufficient without clearing. Note: Clearing the OSPF process is a disruptive action that resets all adjacencies. In production, use 'clear ip ospf process' only when necessary. For normal configuration verification, 'show ip ospf neighbor' is sufficient without clearing.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related 200-301 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
About these practice questions
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Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on 200-301
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. 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.
medium- ✓ A.Configure OSPF process and router-id on R1, then add the network; repeat on R2; ensure interfaces are up; finally verify neighbor states.
- B.Configure OSPF process and router-id on R1, then ensure interfaces are up; repeat on R2; add the network; finally verify neighbor states.
- 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.
- 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 A: 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.
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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