The answer is show ip route and show ip protocols. The show ip route command displays the routing table, where each route entry includes its administrative distance as the first number in the bracket (e.g., [120/1] for an EIGRP route), directly verifying the trustworthiness of the source. The show ip protocols command reveals the default and any configured administrative distances for each routing protocol running on the router, making it essential for confirming protocol-specific distance values. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this tests your ability to distinguish between route verification and protocol configuration commands—a common trap is confusing show ip route with show ip interface brief, which shows no routing details. Remember the memory tip: “Route shows the distance per path, Protocols shows the distance per protocol.”
300-410 Administrative Distance Practice Question
This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of administrative distance. 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.
Which TWO commands can be used to verify the administrative distance of a route in a Cisco IOS router? (Choose TWO.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
show ip route
The show ip route command displays the routing table including the administrative distance for each route. The show ip protocols command displays routing protocol parameters including the default and any configured administrative distances. The other options either do not show administrative distance or are incorrect commands.
Key principle: OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
show ip route
Why this is correct
This command shows the routing table, where each entry includes the administrative distance (e.g., [110/20]).
Common exam trap: OSPF can fail even when IP connectivity looks correct
OSPF neighbour formation depends on matching areas, timers, network type, authentication and passive-interface behaviour. Do not choose an answer only because the devices can ping.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
This command shows interface status and IP addresses, not administrative distance.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
OSPF questions usually test the details that control adjacency and route selection. Read the neighbour state, area, router ID and interface configuration before deciding what is wrong.
KKey Concepts to Remember
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
Router ID selection can affect neighbour relationships and LSDB output.
OSPF cost influences the preferred path.
A route can appear in OSPF information but not become the installed route.
TExam Day Tips
→Check area mismatch first when OSPF adjacency fails.
→Review passive interfaces when a network is advertised but no neighbour forms.
→Use show ip ospf neighbor and show ip route clues carefully.
Key takeaway
OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 300-410 question in full detail.
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related 300-410 OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
Administrative Distance — This question tests Administrative Distance — OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: show ip route — The show ip route command displays the routing table including the administrative distance for each route. The show ip protocols command displays routing protocol parameters including the default and any configured administrative distances. The other options either do not show administrative distance or are incorrect commands.
What should I do if I get this 300-410 question wrong?
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related 300-410 OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
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Question Discussion
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