The answer is OSPF hello packets and BGP keepalives. Cisco’s default Control Plane Policing (CoPP) policy designates these as critical because they are essential for maintaining routing protocol adjacency and network convergence; if these packets are dropped, neighbor relationships fail and the control plane loses visibility of the topology. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this concept tests your understanding of CoPP class maps and policy maps, often appearing in scenario-based questions where you must identify which traffic should receive the highest priority to prevent route flapping. A common trap is assuming that all routing protocol traffic—like full OSPF LSAs or BGP updates—is critical, but only the lightweight keepalive and hello packets are classified as such in the default policy; bulk updates fall under normal or management classes. Remember the memory tip: “Keep the hellos alive” — if it’s a periodic, low-bandwidth packet that keeps a neighbor up, it’s critical.
300-410 Control Plane Policing (CoPP) Practice Question
This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of control plane policing (copp). Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 control plane protocol packets are classified as 'critical' in the default CoPP policy?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
OSPF hello packets and BGP keepalives
Cisco's recommended CoPP policy classifies routing protocol packets (e.g., OSPF, EIGRP, BGP) and Layer 2 keepalives as critical, while ICMP and SSH are often classified as normal or management.
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.
✗
ICMP echo requests and SSH
Why it's wrong here
ICMP and SSH are typically classified as 'normal' or 'management' traffic, not critical.
✓
OSPF hello packets and BGP keepalives
Why this is correct
Routing protocol hello and keepalive packets are considered critical for network stability and are assigned to the critical class in CoPP.
Telnet and HTTP are management protocols, usually classified as 'normal' or 'management'.
✗
NTP and SNMP
Why it's wrong here
NTP and SNMP are important but not as time-sensitive as routing protocol hellos; they are often placed in a lower priority class.
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.
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.
Control Plane Policing (CoPP) — This question tests Control Plane Policing (CoPP) — OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: OSPF hello packets and BGP keepalives — Cisco's recommended CoPP policy classifies routing protocol packets (e.g., OSPF, EIGRP, BGP) and Layer 2 keepalives as critical, while ICMP and SSH are often classified as normal or management.
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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