The answer is that the redistributed route is a summary route that does not contain the specific subnet 172.16.1.0/24, causing packets to be dropped. This happens because modifying the administrative distance to 85 makes the redistributed summary route preferred over the original internal EIGRP route (AD 90), but the summary lacks a valid next hop for the more specific subnet, creating a blackhole. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how administrative distance changes interact with route summarization and the risk of blackholing traffic when a less specific route overrides a more specific one. A common trap is assuming a lower AD always improves reachability, but it can hide critical subnets if the preferred route is a summary. Memory tip: “Lower AD can lead to a blackhole if the route is a summary that swallows specifics.”
300-410 Administrative Distance Practice Question
This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of administrative distance. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 EIGRP. R1 has a route to 172.16.0.0/16 with AD 90. R2 redistributes a static route for 172.16.0.0/16 into EIGRP with a route-map that sets the administrative distance to 85. R1 learns the redistributed route with AD 85 and installs it, overriding the original internal route. However, R1's 'show ip route 172.16.0.0' shows the route via R2 with AD 85, but pings to 172.16.1.1 fail. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The redistributed route is a summary route that does not contain the specific subnet 172.16.1.0/24, causing packets to be dropped.
Setting AD to 85 makes the redistributed route preferred over the internal route (AD 90). However, the redistributed route might have a less specific prefix (e.g., 172.16.0.0/16) while the internal route might have a more specific prefix (e.g., 172.16.1.0/24) that is now hidden. The ping fails because the redistributed route is a summary that does not have a valid next hop for the specific subnet. The correct answer is that the redistributed route is a summary that does not include the specific subnet, causing blackholing.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
The redistributed route is a summary route that does not contain the specific subnet 172.16.1.0/24, causing packets to be dropped.
Why this is correct
The summary route may point to a null interface or a next hop that does not have the specific route.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
R1's EIGRP process has a distribute-list blocking the redistributed route.
Why it's wrong here
The route is installed.
✗
The redistributed route has a higher metric than the internal route, but AD overrides metric.
Why it's wrong here
AD is lower, so it is installed regardless of metric.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
→Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
→Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
→Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A network engineer segments a warehouse floor into three subnets: 20 scanners, 5 printers, and 2 management hosts. Picking the wrong mask wastes addresses or leaves too few usable hosts. Exam questions test whether you can apply CIDR notation, calculate block size, and identify the correct usable-host range for a given prefix.
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 block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related 300-410 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
Administrative Distance — This question tests Administrative Distance — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The redistributed route is a summary route that does not contain the specific subnet 172.16.1.0/24, causing packets to be dropped. — Setting AD to 85 makes the redistributed route preferred over the internal route (AD 90). However, the redistributed route might have a less specific prefix (e.g., 172.16.0.0/16) while the internal route might have a more specific prefix (e.g., 172.16.1.0/24) that is now hidden. The ping fails because the redistributed route is a summary that does not have a valid next hop for the specific subnet. The correct answer is that the redistributed route is a summary that does not include the specific subnet, causing blackholing.
What should I do if I get this 300-410 question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related 300-410 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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