The answer is that the (received-only) flag indicates the route is received from a BGP neighbor but not installed in the routing table, most likely due to route-map filtering. This flag appears in the show bgp output when a BGP update is accepted into the BGP table but fails the inbound route-map or prefix-list conditions, so the route is marked as received-only and never placed in the RIB. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this tests your understanding of BGP path selection and inbound filtering—a common trap is confusing received-only with a route that is simply not the best path; remember that a best path will never show received-only. The key distinction is that received-only means the route is valid in BGP but explicitly blocked from installation, often by a deny statement in a route-map. Memory tip: think of it as “received but rejected”—the neighbor sent it, but your filter said no.
300-410 Route Maps and Route Filtering Practice Question
This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of route maps and route filtering. 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.
A network engineer runs the following command on Router R1:
R1# show bgp ipv4 unicast 10.10.10.0/24
BGP routing table entry for 10.10.10.0/24, version 5
Paths: (1 available, best #1, table default)
Advertised to update-groups:
1
Refresh Epoch 1
Local
Based on this output, what does the "(received-only)" flag indicate?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The route is received but not installed in the routing table, likely due to a route-map filtering.
The "(received-only)" flag indicates that the route was received from a neighbor but is not installed in the routing table, often due to a route-map filtering or a prefix-list. The correct answer is that a route-map is likely filtering this route from being installed.
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.
✓
The route is received but not installed in the routing table, likely due to a route-map filtering.
Why this is correct
The received-only flag means the route is not used, often due to filtering.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
The route is best and installed in the routing table.
Why it's wrong here
The route is marked best but received-only indicates it is not installed.
✗
The route is suppressed by a route-map.
Why it's wrong here
Suppressed routes show 's' status, not received-only.
✗
The route is being advertised to neighbors.
Why it's wrong here
Advertised routes are shown in advertised-routes, not here.
Common exam traps
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
Suppressed routes show 's' status, not received-only.
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.
Route Maps and Route Filtering — This question tests Route Maps and Route Filtering — OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The route is received but not installed in the routing table, likely due to a route-map filtering. — The "(received-only)" flag indicates that the route was received from a neighbor but is not installed in the routing table, often due to a route-map filtering or a prefix-list. The correct answer is that a route-map is likely filtering this route from being installed.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
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