The answer is that the OSPF process on R2 has the 'distance 130' command configured, which overrides the default administrative distance of 110 for all OSPF routes, making them less preferred than the RIP route with its default AD of 120. This is correct because the administrative distance is the first tiebreaker when comparing routes from different routing protocols; a higher AD means lower trustworthiness, so R2 installs the RIP route instead of the OSPF intra-area route. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how the 'distance' command can globally alter route preference within an OSPF process, a common trap where candidates assume default AD values always apply. A key memory tip: "Distance dictates destiny" — the lower the AD, the more trustworthy the route, but a manual 'distance' command can flip that hierarchy.
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.
Router R1 and R2 are running OSPF in area 0. R1 has a loopback interface with IP 192.168.1.1/32 advertised into OSPF. R2 learns this route as an intra-area route (AD 110). R2 also runs RIP and learns the same prefix from R3 with AD 120. R2's 'show ip route 192.168.1.1' shows the RIP route. What is the root cause?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
R2's OSPF process has 'distance 130' configured, making OSPF routes have AD 130, which is higher than RIP's AD 120.
RIP has AD 120, OSPF has AD 110, so OSPF should be preferred. If the OSPF route is not installed, it could be due to a higher metric or a filter. The correct answer is that the OSPF route is an external route (type-5) because it was redistributed from another protocol, not an intra-area route. The scenario says intra-area, but if the loopback is not directly connected to OSPF (e.g., it is in a different VRF), it might be redistributed as external. The question states it is advertised into OSPF, but the AD for external is 110, same as intra-area. The trick is that the OSPF route might have a higher metric than the RIP route, but AD is checked first. The most likely cause is that the OSPF route is not in the routing table due to a distribute-list or because the OSPF process has 'distance 130' configured for all routes.
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.
✓
R2's OSPF process has 'distance 130' configured, making OSPF routes have AD 130, which is higher than RIP's AD 120.
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.
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: R2's OSPF process has 'distance 130' configured, making OSPF routes have AD 130, which is higher than RIP's AD 120. — RIP has AD 120, OSPF has AD 110, so OSPF should be preferred. If the OSPF route is not installed, it could be due to a higher metric or a filter. The correct answer is that the OSPF route is an external route (type-5) because it was redistributed from another protocol, not an intra-area route. The scenario says intra-area, but if the loopback is not directly connected to OSPF (e.g., it is in a different VRF), it might be redistributed as external. The question states it is advertised into OSPF, but the AD for external is 110, same as intra-area. The trick is that the OSPF route might have a higher metric than the RIP route, but AD is checked first. The most likely cause is that the OSPF route is not in the routing table due to a distribute-list or because the OSPF process has 'distance 130' configured for all routes.
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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