The answer is that the 'r' status code indicates a RIB-failure, meaning the BGP route is valid but not installed in the routing table because a route with a lower administrative distance already exists. This occurs when BGP learns a prefix, but another routing protocol—such as OSPF, EIGRP, or a static route—has already placed a more preferred route into the Routing Information Base (RIB), causing BGP’s entry to be suppressed. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this concept tests your understanding of BGP route selection and the interaction between the BGP table and the IP routing table; a common trap is confusing the 'r' status with a route that is simply not the best path, when in fact the route is valid but blocked from the RIB by a lower administrative distance. A helpful memory tip: think of the 'r' as “rejected by RIB” or “routed over” by a more trusted source.
300-410 BGP Troubleshooting Practice Question
This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of bgp troubleshooting. 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 10.5.5.0/24
BGP routing table entry for 10.5.5.0/24, version 12
Paths: (1 available, best #1, table default)
Advertised to update-groups:
1
Refresh Epoch 1
65007
Based on this output, what does the 'r' in the status codes indicate if present? (Not shown here, but the engineer notices a similar route with 'r' status.)
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 a RIB-failure, meaning it is not installed in the routing table because another route with a lower administrative distance exists.
The 'r' status code stands for RIB-failure, meaning the route is valid in BGP but not installed in the routing table because a route with a lower administrative distance (e.g., from OSPF or EIGRP) already exists.
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 suppressed by a route-map.
Why it's wrong here
Suppressed routes are marked with 's', not 'r'.
✗
The route is not valid due to next-hop unreachability.
Why it's wrong here
Invalid routes are not marked with 'r'; they would not have a status code like *.
✓
The route is a RIB-failure, meaning it is not installed in the routing table because another route with a lower administrative distance exists.
Why this is correct
RIB-failure (r) indicates the BGP route is valid but not installed in the RIB due to a better route from another source.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
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.
BGP Troubleshooting — This question tests BGP Troubleshooting — OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The route is a RIB-failure, meaning it is not installed in the routing table because another route with a lower administrative distance exists. — The 'r' status code stands for RIB-failure, meaning the route is valid in BGP but not installed in the routing table because a route with a lower administrative distance (e.g., from OSPF or EIGRP) already exists.
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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