350-501 Networking Practice Question
Which TWO statements correctly describe the use of OSPF in a service provider network?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between link-state and distance-vector protocols, and candidates may mistakenly associate OSPF with Bellman-Ford or TLVs due to superficial similarities with other protocols like IS-IS or EIGRP.
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
✓
OSPF uses different LSA types to advertise different types of routing information.
OSPF uses different LSA types (e.g., Type 1 Router LSA, Type 2 Network LSA, Type 3 Summary LSA, Type 5 AS-External LSA) to advertise different categories of routing information, such as router links, network links, inter-area routes, and external routes. This LSA-type differentiation is fundamental to OSPF's link-state architecture, enabling efficient flooding and route computation within and across areas.
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 uses the Bellman-Ford algorithm to compute routes.
Why it's wrong here
OSPF uses Dijkstra's SPF algorithm.
- ✓
OSPF uses different LSA types to advertise different types of routing information.
Why this is correct
LSA types 1-5 and 7 are used.
- ✗
OSPF is a distance-vector routing protocol.
Why it's wrong here
OSPF is a link-state routing protocol.
- ✓
OSPF can support multiple areas with a backbone area 0.
Why this is correct
OSPF requires area 0 as the backbone.
- ✗
OSPF uses TLVs to encode routing information.
Why it's wrong here
TLVs are used by IS-IS, not OSPF.
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