CCNA IP Routing Practice Question
Exhibit
R1 interface to LAN: 192.168.50.1/24 on G0/1 R1 OSPF config: router ospf 1 network 192.168.5.0 0.0.0.255 area 0 network 10.0.12.0 0.0.0.3 area 0
An OSPF-enabled router R1 fails to advertise the 192.168.50.0/24 network to neighbor R2, even though the neighbor relationship is up. Which misconfiguration on R1 would cause this?
⚠ Common exam trap
A frequent exam trap is believing that the OSPF process ID must match across routers to advertise specific networks or that OSPF cannot advertise directly connected LANs. Candidates may also incorrectly assume that a default route is required on a router before it can learn intra-area routes. These misconceptions lead to overlooking the actual cause: a mismatched wildcard mask in the network statement that prevents OSPF from activating on the interface. This trap causes candidates to focus on irrelevant configuration elements instead of verifying the network statement accuracy.
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
✓
The wildcard network statement does not match 192.168.50.0/24
If the network statement on R1 does not match the interface connected to 192.168.50.0/24, OSPF will not enable on that interface and the subnet will not be advertised. The route stays absent from neighbors despite OSPF running elsewhere.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The OSPF process must be process ID 50 to advertise 192.168.50.0/24
Why it's wrong here
The OSPF process ID is a purely local identifier that does not need to match any network number or interface subnet. It can be any arbitrary number, and changing it from 1 to 50 would not alter which networks are advertised. To fix the missing route, you would correct the network statement, not the process ID.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario where a question states that R1 is configured to use a specific OSPF process ID (e.g., 50) and asks if R2 can receive advertisements from R1, this option would be correct if R2's configuration also required matching that process ID to receive updates.
- ✓
The wildcard network statement does not match 192.168.50.0/24
Why this is correct
The OSPF network statement uses a wildcard mask that is the inverse of the interface's subnet mask. To advertise 192.168.50.0/24, the network statement must match that exact prefix, typically by using 192.168.50.0 0.0.0.255. If the wildcard mask is misconfigured—for example, 0.0.0.127 or 0.0.0.15—the interface will be excluded from the OSPF process, so R1 will not originate the route and R2 cannot learn it.
- ✗
OSPF cannot advertise a directly connected LAN
Why it's wrong here
OSPF is a link-state routing protocol that explicitly advertises directly connected networks whose interfaces are activated under a network statement. A directly connected LAN, such as 192.168.50.0/24, is exactly the type of prefix OSPF is designed to propagate. Thus, the problem is not that OSPF cannot advertise such a LAN; rather, the network statement or interface state is preventing it.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario where the question states that R1 is configured to only advertise certain subnets and the specific subnet in question is not directly connected, then this option could be correct. For example, if the question specifies that R1 is configured to only advertise subnets that are not directly connected to its interfaces.
- ✗
R2 needs a default route before learning intra-area routes
Why it's wrong here
A default route is not a prerequisite for OSPF to exchange intra-area routes such as 192.168.50.0/24. OSPF routers flood LSAs and calculate routes independently of any default route, and R2 will install the intra-area route once it receives the Type 1 LSA from R1. The absence of a default route would only affect traffic bound for destinations outside these learned prefixes, not the learning of this specific route.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario where the question states that R2 is configured to only accept routes if a default route is present, this option would be correct. For example, if R2's routing policy required a default route to be configured before accepting any OSPF routes, then this statement would apply.
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.
✓The wildcard network statement does not match 192.168.50.0/24Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
The OSPF network statement uses a wildcard mask that is the inverse of the interface's subnet mask. To advertise 192.168.50.0/24, the network statement must match that exact prefix, typically by using 192.168.50.0 0.0.0.255. If the wildcard mask is misconfigured—for example, 0.0.0.127 or 0.0.0.15—the interface will be excluded from the OSPF process, so R1 will not originate the route and R2 cannot learn it.
✗The OSPF process must be process ID 50 to advertise 192.168.50.0/24Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The OSPF process ID is locally significant and does not need to match the network number or any other value. OSPF can advertise any subnet regardless of the process ID. The process ID only identifies the OSPF process on the local router and has no effect on route advertisement.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario where a question states that R1 is configured to use a specific OSPF process ID (e.g., 50) and asks if R2 can receive advertisements from R1, this option would be correct if R2's configuration also required matching that process ID to receive updates.
Why candidates choose this
Students often mistakenly think that the OSPF process ID must match the network number or area ID, confusing it with other protocols like EIGRP where the autonomous system number must match between routers.
✗OSPF cannot advertise a directly connected LANWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
OSPF can advertise directly connected LANs as long as the interface is enabled for OSPF via the network statement or passive-interface default. There is no restriction that prevents OSPF from advertising directly connected LANs.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario where the question states that R1 is configured to only advertise certain subnets and the specific subnet in question is not directly connected, then this option could be correct. For example, if the question specifies that R1 is configured to only advertise subnets that are not directly connected to its interfaces.
Why candidates choose this
Some students confuse OSPF with BGP, which by default does not advertise directly connected networks unless explicitly configured with the network command. Additionally, the concept of 'passive interface' might lead to confusion, but OSPF can still advertise the subnet even if the interface is passive.
✗R2 needs a default route before learning intra-area routesWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
OSPF does not require a default route to learn intra-area routes. OSPF routers exchange link-state advertisements to build a complete topology database and calculate routes to all networks within an area. A default route is only needed for routing to external networks not in the OSPF domain.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario where the question states that R2 is configured to only accept routes if a default route is present, this option would be correct. For example, if R2's routing policy required a default route to be configured before accepting any OSPF routes, then this statement would apply.
Why candidates choose this
Students may confuse OSPF with stub areas or default routing concepts. In some OSPF area types (like stub areas), a default route is injected, but for standard intra-area routes, no default is required.
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?”
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
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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
Interface
An interface is a point of connection or interaction between two systems, devices, or software components that allows them to exchange information or signals.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.