350-501 Networking Practice Question
Which OSPF neighbor state indicates that a router has received a hello packet from a neighbor but the neighbor's Router ID is not yet seen in its own hello packet?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between Init and Two-way states, and the trap here is confusing the receipt of a Hello packet (Init) with the confirmation of bidirectional communication (Two-way).
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
✓
Init
The Init state is the first step in OSPF neighbor formation after the Down state. A router enters Init when it receives a Hello packet from a neighbor but does not yet see its own Router ID in the neighbor's Hello packet, indicating that bidirectional communication is not yet confirmed.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Down
Why it's wrong here
Down means no hello received.
- ✗
Two-way
Why it's wrong here
Two-way means bidirectional communication is established.
- ✓
Init
Why this is correct
Init state indicates hello received but not bidirectional.
- ✗
ExStart
Why it's wrong here
ExStart is after adjacency is formed, for database exchange.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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