- A
The engineer used 'ip default-network' which is not supported in EIGRP; instead, 'default-information originate' should be used.
Correct. EIGRP does not support the 'ip default-network' command. To advertise a default route, the engineer should use 'redistribute static' and optionally 'default-information originate' to inject the default route.
- B
The static default route is not configured correctly; the engineer should use 'ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 <next-hop>'.
Why wrong: Incorrect. The static route may be configured correctly, but the issue is the method of advertising it into EIGRP.
- C
The internal routers have a route to the default network with a better metric from another source.
Why wrong: Incorrect. The scenario does not mention other sources. The metric of 1 in the topology table indicates the route is present but not installed, likely due to administrative distance or other reasons.
- D
The engineer needs to configure 'eigrp stub' on the router to allow default route advertisement.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Stub configuration does not affect default route advertisement; it only limits query propagation.
Quick Answer
The answer is that the engineer should have used the `default-information originate` command instead of `ip default-network`. The `ip default-network` command is a legacy IGRP feature and is not supported in EIGRP for originating a default route; EIGRP requires the `default-information originate` command under the EIGRP process to redistribute a static default route (0.0.0.0/0) to neighbors. Even though the redistributed static route appears in the topology table with a metric of 1, EIGRP will not advertise it without this explicit command, which is a common trap on the ENCOR 350-401 exam. This tests your understanding of EIGRP default route advertisement mechanics versus older protocols like IGRP. A helpful memory tip: think of EIGRP as needing a "permission slip" to share the default—`default-information originate` is that permission, while `ip default-network` is a relic from IGRP’s past.
CCNP EIGRP Practice Question
This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of eigrp. 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.
A network engineer is configuring EIGRP on a router that connects to a service provider network. The engineer wants to advertise a default route to internal routers. The engineer configures 'ip default-network 0.0.0.0' and redistributes a static default route into EIGRP. However, internal routers are not receiving the default route. The engineer checks the EIGRP topology table and sees the default route with a metric of 1. What is the most likely reason?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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 engineer used 'ip default-network' which is not supported in EIGRP; instead, 'default-information originate' should be used.
Option A is correct because EIGRP does not support the 'ip default-network' command to originate a default route; this command is used with IGRP. To advertise a default route in EIGRP, the engineer must use the 'default-information originate' command under the EIGRP process, which redistributes a static default route (0.0.0.0/0) into EIGRP. The presence of the default route in the topology table with a metric of 1 indicates it was redistributed, but without 'default-information originate', EIGRP will not advertise it to neighbors.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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 engineer used 'ip default-network' which is not supported in EIGRP; instead, 'default-information originate' should be used.
Why this is correct
Correct. EIGRP does not support the 'ip default-network' command. To advertise a default route, the engineer should use 'redistribute static' and optionally 'default-information originate' to inject the default route.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The static default route is not configured correctly; the engineer should use 'ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 <next-hop>'.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. The static route may be configured correctly, but the issue is the method of advertising it into EIGRP.
- ✗
The internal routers have a route to the default network with a better metric from another source.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. The scenario does not mention other sources. The metric of 1 in the topology table indicates the route is present but not installed, likely due to administrative distance or other reasons.
- ✗
The engineer needs to configure 'eigrp stub' on the router to allow default route advertisement.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Stub configuration does not affect default route advertisement; it only limits query propagation.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that 'ip default-network' works with EIGRP, when in fact it is an IGRP-specific command, and candidates may confuse it with the correct 'default-information originate' command used in EIGRP and OSPF.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
Incorrect. The scenario does not mention other sources. The metric of 1 in the topology table indicates the route is present but not installed, likely due to administrative distance or other reasons.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In EIGRP, the 'default-information originate' command is required to inject a default route into the EIGRP domain, and it works by redistributing a static default route (or a route from another source) with a specified metric. Without this command, even if a static default route exists and is redistributed via 'redistribute static', EIGRP will not propagate it as a default route to neighbors; the route may appear in the local topology table but will not be advertised. This behavior differs from OSPF, which uses 'default-information originate' to inject a default route unconditionally, and from RIP, which uses 'default-information originate' as well.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
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
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 350-401 question test?
EIGRP — This question tests EIGRP — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The engineer used 'ip default-network' which is not supported in EIGRP; instead, 'default-information originate' should be used. — Option A is correct because EIGRP does not support the 'ip default-network' command to originate a default route; this command is used with IGRP. To advertise a default route in EIGRP, the engineer must use the 'default-information originate' command under the EIGRP process, which redistributes a static default route (0.0.0.0/0) into EIGRP. The presence of the default route in the topology table with a metric of 1 indicates it was redistributed, but without 'default-information originate', EIGRP will not advertise it to neighbors.
What should I do if I get this 350-401 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This 350-401 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 350-401 exam.
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