- A
Route table: Contains routes that determine network traffic direction
Administrative distance is a value used by routers to rank the reliability of routing protocols. A lower administrative distance indicates a more trustworthy source of routing information.
- B
Default route: Route for traffic not matching other routes
Convergence refers to the time it takes for all routers in a network to update their routing tables after a change, not to ranking protocol reliability.
- C
Next hop type: Specifies the type of target for a route
A metric is a value used by a routing protocol to determine the best path within that protocol, not to rank the reliability of different protocols.
- D
Effective routes: Routes actually applied to a subnet
A routing loop is a network problem where packets circulate endlessly, not a mechanism for ranking protocol reliability.
Quick Answer
The correct match for "Next hop type" is "Specifies the type of target for a route" because the next hop defines the immediate gateway—either an IP address or an interface—that a router uses to forward packets toward a destination. This concept is central to routing concepts matching tasks on the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, where you must pair terms like administrative distance, metric, and longest-prefix match with their precise definitions. A common trap is confusing next hop with administrative distance: AD measures route trustworthiness (OSPF uses 110), while next hop is purely about the forwarding path. Remember that directly connected routes have an AD of 0 and are automatically added, whereas dynamic routes rely on protocols like OSPF or EIGRP. For the drag-and-drop format, focus on the phrase "type of target" as your clue—next hop is the only option that specifies a target, not a cost or trust level. Memory tip: think of next hop as the "next address on the map," not the map's reliability.
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 routing concepts on the left to the matching descriptions on the right.
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
Route table: Contains routes that determine network traffic direction
Administrative distance (AD) indicates the trustworthiness of a routing source; OSPF is assigned AD 110. Metric is the cost used by OSPF, calculated based on bandwidth. Longest-prefix match selects the route with the most specific (longest) subnet mask. Directly connected routes have an AD of 0 and are added automatically when an interface IP is configured. Next-hop is the IP address of the next router to forward packets to. Dynamic routes are learned through routing protocols like OSPF or EIGRP.
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.
- ✓
Route table: Contains routes that determine network traffic direction
Why this is correct
Administrative distance is a value used by routers to rank the reliability of routing protocols. A lower administrative distance indicates a more trustworthy source of routing information.
Related concept
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
- ✓
Default route: Route for traffic not matching other routes
Why this is correct
Convergence refers to the time it takes for all routers in a network to update their routing tables after a change, not to ranking protocol reliability.
Related concept
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
- ✓
Next hop type: Specifies the type of target for a route
- ✓
Effective routes: Routes actually applied to a subnet
Why this is correct
A routing loop is a network problem where packets circulate endlessly, not a mechanism for ranking protocol reliability.
Related concept
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
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.
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: Route table: Contains routes that determine network traffic direction — Administrative distance (AD) indicates the trustworthiness of a routing source; OSPF is assigned AD 110. Metric is the cost used by OSPF, calculated based on bandwidth. Longest-prefix match selects the route with the most specific (longest) subnet mask. Directly connected routes have an AD of 0 and are added automatically when an interface IP is configured. Next-hop is the IP address of the next router to forward packets to. Dynamic routes are learned through routing protocols like OSPF or EIGRP.
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
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