350-601 Network Practice Question
An engineer needs to enable equal-cost multipath (ECMP) routing in a spine-leaf fabric using OSPF. Which OSPF feature allows load balancing across multiple equal-cost paths?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the misconception that OSPF automatically load-balances across equal-cost paths without any configuration, but in reality the maximum-paths command must be explicitly set to a value greater than 1 to enable ECMP.
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
✓
maximum-paths command
The maximum-paths command is the OSPF feature that directly controls the number of equal-cost routes installed in the routing table, enabling ECMP load balancing across multiple equal-cost paths. By default, OSPF installs only one best path, but increasing the maximum-paths value allows the router to use up to that many equal-cost routes simultaneously.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
OSPF network type
Why it's wrong here
Network type affects adjacency, not ECMP.
- ✗
OSPF area type
Why it's wrong here
Area type does not enable ECMP.
- ✓
maximum-paths command
Why this is correct
This command sets the number of ECMP paths.
- ✗
OSPF cost metric
Why it's wrong here
Cost affects path selection, not ECMP.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 350-601 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 350-601 exam.