- A
It suppresses OSPF hello packets on that interface.
This is correct because passive interfaces do not actively form OSPF neighbors.
- B
It can still allow the connected network to be advertised into OSPF.
This is correct because passive affects adjacency formation, not necessarily advertisement of the network.
- C
It converts OSPF on that interface into static routing.
Why wrong: This is wrong because passive-interface does not change OSPF into static routing.
- D
It forces the interface IP address to become the router ID.
Why wrong: This is wrong because passive-interface does not determine router-ID selection.
- E
It disables OSPF on every interface in the router automatically.
Why wrong: This is wrong because passive affects the specified interface, not every interface automatically.
CCNA IP Routing Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of ip routing. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. A key principle to apply: oSPF passive interfaces prevent the router from sending hello packets on that interface, stopping neighbor adjacency formation.. 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.
Which two statements accurately describe passive interfaces in OSPF?
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
It suppresses OSPF hello packets on that interface.
A passive interface stops the router from sending OSPF hello packets on that interface, which means the router will not try to form neighbors there. In practical terms, this is useful on user-facing or stub-like links where no OSPF neighbor should exist. However, passive does not necessarily mean the connected network disappears from OSPF. The network can still be advertised through the router’s other active adjacencies. This is a common design and security practice because it reduces unnecessary routing chatter on interfaces that should not form adjacencies in the first place.
Key principle: OSPF passive interfaces prevent the router from sending hello packets on that interface, stopping neighbor adjacency formation.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
It suppresses OSPF hello packets on that interface.
- ✓
It can still allow the connected network to be advertised into OSPF.
Why this is correct
This is correct because passive affects adjacency formation, not necessarily advertisement of the network.
Related concept
OSPF passive interfaces prevent the router from sending hello packets on that interface, stopping neighbor adjacency formation.
- ✗
It converts OSPF on that interface into static routing.
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because passive-interface does not change OSPF into static routing.
When this WOULD be correct
If the exam question asked about the behavior of OSPF when configuring interfaces in a scenario where static routes are being used instead of OSPF, then this option could be correct. For example, a question might ask what happens when OSPF is disabled on an interface and static routing is configured instead.
- ✗
It forces the interface IP address to become the router ID.
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because passive-interface does not determine router-ID selection.
- ✗
It disables OSPF on every interface in the router automatically.
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because passive affects the specified interface, not every interface automatically.
When this WOULD be correct
If the exam question asked about a command that disables OSPF on all interfaces simultaneously, such as 'router ospf [process-id] passive-interface default', then this option would be correct as it would imply that all interfaces are set to passive by default.
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.
✓It suppresses OSPF hello packets on that interface.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
This is correct because passive interfaces do not actively form OSPF neighbors.
✗It converts OSPF on that interface into static routing.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This option is incorrect because passive interfaces in OSPF do not convert OSPF routing to static routing; they simply prevent OSPF hello packets from being sent on that interface while still allowing the connected network to be advertised.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the exam question asked about the behavior of OSPF when configuring interfaces in a scenario where static routes are being used instead of OSPF, then this option could be correct. For example, a question might ask what happens when OSPF is disabled on an interface and static routing is configured instead.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may find this option tempting because they might confuse the concept of passive interfaces with static routing configurations, leading them to think that passive interfaces somehow change the routing method on that interface.
✗It forces the interface IP address to become the router ID.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Option D is incorrect because passive interfaces do not change the router ID; the router ID is determined by the highest IP address on an active interface or can be manually configured.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the exam question asked about the configuration of OSPF and specifically inquired about how to set the router ID based on interface settings, then option D could be correct if the context was about configuring the router ID using the IP address of a specific interface.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may find this option tempting because they might confuse the concept of passive interfaces with the broader topic of OSPF configuration, leading them to mistakenly believe that it directly influences the router ID.
✗It disables OSPF on every interface in the router automatically.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This option is incorrect because configuring a passive interface in OSPF only affects the specified interface, preventing OSPF from sending or receiving hello packets, while other interfaces remain unaffected.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the exam question asked about a command that disables OSPF on all interfaces simultaneously, such as 'router ospf [process-id] passive-interface default', then this option would be correct as it would imply that all interfaces are set to passive by default.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may choose this option due to a misunderstanding of how passive interfaces operate, conflating the concept with a broader disabling of OSPF across the router's interfaces.
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: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A frequent exam trap is assuming that configuring an interface as passive disables OSPF routing on that interface or converts OSPF routes into static routes. Candidates may also mistakenly believe that passive interfaces automatically disable OSPF on all router interfaces or force the interface IP to become the router ID. These misunderstandings arise because passive interfaces stop hello packets but do not disable OSPF or affect router ID selection. Misreading this can lead to incorrect answers about OSPF behavior and network design.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) is a link-state routing protocol that uses hello packets to discover and maintain neighbor relationships on interfaces. A passive interface in OSPF is configured to stop sending hello packets, which prevents the formation of OSPF adjacencies on that interface. Despite this, the router continues to advertise the connected network associated with the passive interface into the OSPF domain, allowing other routers to learn about that network without forming a neighbor relationship on that link. The decision to configure an interface as passive is based on the need to reduce unnecessary OSPF traffic and improve security. Passive interfaces are typically used on interfaces connected to end hosts or stub networks where no OSPF neighbors should exist. This configuration ensures that OSPF hello packets are suppressed, preventing neighbor formation, but the network on that interface is still included in OSPF routing updates, maintaining proper route advertisement. A common exam trap is misunderstanding the effect of passive interfaces as disabling OSPF entirely on that interface or converting OSPF routes into static routes. In reality, passive interfaces only suppress hello packets and neighbor formation; they do not disable OSPF routing or affect router ID selection. This distinction is critical for correctly answering questions about OSPF passive interfaces and for designing efficient OSPF networks in practice.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- OSPF passive interfaces prevent the router from sending hello packets on that interface, stopping neighbor adjacency formation.
- Configuring an interface as passive does not stop the router from advertising the connected network into OSPF routing updates.
- Passive interfaces are typically used on links to end hosts or stub networks where no OSPF neighbors should form.
- OSPF hello packets are essential for neighbor discovery, and suppressing them on passive interfaces reduces unnecessary routing traffic.
- Passive interface configuration does not disable OSPF on the router or convert OSPF routes into static routes.
- The router ID selection process in OSPF is independent of passive interface settings and is not affected by them.
- Using passive interfaces improves network security by limiting OSPF adjacency formation to intended interfaces only.
- Passive interfaces help optimize OSPF operation by reducing routing protocol chatter on interfaces without neighbors.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
OSPF passive interfaces prevent the router from sending hello packets on that interface, stopping neighbor adjacency formation.
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
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
IP Routing — This question tests IP Routing — OSPF passive interfaces prevent the router from sending hello packets on that interface, stopping neighbor adjacency formation..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: It suppresses OSPF hello packets on that interface. — A passive interface stops the router from sending OSPF hello packets on that interface, which means the router will not try to form neighbors there. In practical terms, this is useful on user-facing or stub-like links where no OSPF neighbor should exist. However, passive does not necessarily mean the connected network disappears from OSPF. The network can still be advertised through the router’s other active adjacencies. This is a common design and security practice because it reduces unnecessary routing chatter on interfaces that should not form adjacencies in the first place.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review oSPF passive interfaces prevent the router from sending hello packets on that interface, stopping neighbor adjacency formation., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
OSPF passive interfaces prevent the router from sending hello packets on that interface, stopping neighbor adjacency formation.
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Last reviewed: May 17, 2026
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