350-501 Networking Practice Question
An SP engineer is designing an OSPF network with several remote sites that should not receive external routes but need to reach external destinations via a default route. Which OSPF area type best meets this requirement while also preventing Type 5 LSAs from entering?
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
✓
Totally stubby area
A totally stubby area blocks Type 5 and Type 3 LSAs (except a default route). A stub area blocks Type 5 but allows Type 3 (inter-area routes). An NSSA allows Type 7 LSAs for external routes from the area. A totally stubby area is the correct choice because it blocks both Type 5 and Type 3 (except default), meeting the requirement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
NSSA
Why it's wrong here
NSSA allows Type 7 LSAs for external routes, which contradicts the requirement of not receiving external routes.
- ✗
Backbone area 0
Why it's wrong here
Backbone area carries all LSAs, including Type 5, so it does not meet the requirement.
- ✗
Stub area
Why it's wrong here
Stub area blocks Type 5 LSAs but allows Type 3 LSAs (inter-area routes), so remote sites would receive inter-area routes.
- ✓
Totally stubby area
Why this is correct
Correct. Totally stubby area blocks Type 5 and Type 3 LSAs except a default route, so remote sites only have a default route to reach external destinations.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 350-501 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 350-501 exam.