After configuring the area 0 range 10.0.0.0 255.255.0.0 command on an OSPF ABR, a technician finds that a host at 10.0.5.100 in Area 1 cannot reach hosts in Area 0. The ABR’s OSPF database shows only the summary 10.0.0.0/16 in Area 0, and no individual /24 routes. What is the most likely cause?
By default, the area range command summarizes the specified prefix range and suppresses the individual component routes from being advertised into the target area. Only the summary LSA appears in Area 0, which matches the observed behavior.
Why this answer
The `area 0 range 10.0.0.0 255.255.0.0` command on an OSPF ABR creates a single Type-3 summary LSA (10.0.0.0/16) for Area 0 and suppresses the advertisement of more-specific Type-3 LSAs (e.g., /24 routes) that fall within that range. This is the intended behavior of the `range` command: it summarizes routes at the ABR and prevents the individual component routes from being advertised into the backbone area. Since the host at 10.0.5.100 in Area 1 relies on those specific /24 routes to reach destinations in Area 0, the suppression breaks connectivity.
Exam trap
Cisco often tests the misconception that the `area range` command only summarizes routes without suppressing the more-specific LSAs, leading candidates to incorrectly attribute the connectivity loss to filtering or routing issues rather than the intended suppression behavior.
Why the other options are wrong
A distribute-list requires explicit configuration; its absence makes this an unsubstantiated guess.
Area border routers receive all LSAs from non-backbone areas; the area boundary does not stop LSA propagation to the ABR itself.
The null0 route is a loop-prevention mechanism, not an absolute traffic blocker; more-specific entries in the routing table take precedence.