The correct conclusion is that the route is directly connected on Router R1, as indicated by the EIGRP Null0 route entry with a composite metric of (128256/0) and a hop count of 0. This specific metric, where the reported distance is zero, and the next-hop address of 0.0.0.0, is the signature of a locally originated connected route that EIGRP automatically installs to Null0 as a loop-prevention mechanism. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this output tests your ability to distinguish between a locally connected network and a learned route; many candidates mistakenly think a Null0 entry always means a summary route, but when paired with a hop count of zero and the directly connected metric, it confirms the router owns that subnet on a local interface. A common trap is confusing this with a manual summary, but remember: if the hop count is zero and the next hop is Null0, it is directly connected, not summarized. Memory tip: “Hop zero, metric low, Null0 means local, not a show.”
CCNP EIGRP Practice Question
This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of eigrp. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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 runs the following command on Router R1:
R1# show ip eigrp topology 10.1.1.0/24
EIGRP-IPv4 Topology Entry for AS(100)/ID(192.168.1.1) for 10.1.1.0/24
State: Passive, Reply status: 0, Originating router: 192.168.1.1
Routing Descriptor Blocks:
0.0.0.0 (Null0), from 0.0.0.0, Send flag: 0x0
Composite metric: (128256/0), Route is Internal
Vector metric:
Minimum bandwidth: 1000000 Kbit
Total delay: 100 microseconds
Reliability: 255/255
Load: 1/255
Minimum MTU: 1500
Hop count: 0
192.168.1.2 (GigabitEthernet0/0), from 192.168.1.2, Send flag: 0x0
Composite metric: (1310720/128256), Route is Internal
Vector metric:
Minimum bandwidth: 1000000 Kbit
Total delay: 1100 microseconds
Reliability: 255/255
Load: 1/255
Minimum MTU: 1500
Hop count: 1
Based on this output, what can be concluded?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "minimum / minimize"
Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The route is directly connected on Router R1.
The presence of a Null0 route in the EIGRP topology table with a composite metric of (128256/0) and a hop count of 0 indicates that Router R1 has a directly connected interface on the 10.1.1.0/24 network. EIGRP automatically installs a summary or connected route to Null0 to prevent routing loops, and the metric (128256/0) with hop count 0 confirms it is locally originated, not learned from a neighbor.
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 route 10.1.1.0/24 is learned from neighbor 192.168.1.2 and is the successor.
Why it's wrong here
The successor is the connected route (Null0) with metric 128256, not the learned route.
✗
The router has a feasible successor for this route.
Why it's wrong here
The reported distance from the neighbor equals the feasible distance, so it does not meet the feasibility condition (RD < FD).
✓
The route is directly connected on Router R1.
Why this is correct
The Null0 entry with metric 128256/0 indicates a connected route.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The router is in Active state for this route.
Why it's wrong here
The state is Passive.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that a Null0 route in the EIGRP topology table indicates a summary or redistributed route, when in fact it confirms a directly connected network; candidates mistakenly assume the neighbor route must be the successor because it has a next-hop IP address.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
EIGRP automatically creates a Null0 summary route when it has a directly connected network that is also being advertised into EIGRP, ensuring that traffic destined for a subnet within that network but not explicitly in the routing table is dropped rather than causing a routing loop. The metric of 128256/0 for the Null0 entry represents a default composite metric for a connected route (bandwidth 1000000 Kbit, delay 100 microseconds), and the hop count of 0 confirms it is locally generated. In real-world scenarios, this Null0 route prevents black-hole routing when a router advertises a summary route but does not have a specific route for every subnet.
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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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 route is directly connected on Router R1. — The presence of a Null0 route in the EIGRP topology table with a composite metric of (128256/0) and a hop count of 0 indicates that Router R1 has a directly connected interface on the 10.1.1.0/24 network. EIGRP automatically installs a summary or connected route to Null0 to prevent routing loops, and the metric (128256/0) with hop count 0 confirms it is locally originated, not learned from a neighbor.
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: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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