Question 525 of 2,152

Route Redistribution →hardMultiple SelectObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The answer is that the 'default-information originate' command behaves differently in OSPF and EIGRP, with the key distinction being whether a default route must already exist in the routing table. In EIGRP, this command will only inject a default route if a default route is already present in the routing table, unless the 'always' keyword is configured to force the injection. In contrast, OSPF by default originates a default route unconditionally, even without a pre-existing default, unless the 'always' keyword is omitted and no default route exists. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this concept tests your understanding of route redistribution behavior and is a frequent trap: many candidates forget that EIGRP requires an existing default, while OSPF does not. A common memory tip is to think of EIGRP as "Eagerly Insisting on a Gateway Route" before it originates, whereas OSPF "Originates a Static Path Freely."

300-410 Route Redistribution Practice Question

This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of route redistribution. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 TWO statements correctly describe the behavior of the 'default-information originate' command in the context of route redistribution? (Choose TWO.)

Question 1hardmulti select

Read the full NAT/PAT explanation →

A
In OSPF, the 'default-information originate' command always injects a default route into the OSPF domain, even if no default route exists in the routing table, provided the 'always' keyword is used.
Correct. The 'always' keyword forces OSPF to originate a default route even if no default route is present in the routing table.
B
In EIGRP, the 'redistribute static' command automatically injects a default route if a static default route is configured.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Redistributing static routes into EIGRP will only inject the static default route if it is present, but EIGRP does not automatically generate a default route; you must use the 'default-information originate' command or redistribute the static route explicitly.
C
In EIGRP, the 'default-information originate' command will inject a default route only if a default route is present in the routing table, unless the 'always' keyword is configured.
Correct. By default, EIGRP's 'default-information originate' requires a default route in the routing table to inject it. The 'always' keyword overrides this requirement.
D
In OSPF, the 'default-information originate always' command will inject a default route even if OSPF is not configured on any interface.
Why wrong: Incorrect. OSPF must have at least one active interface with OSPF enabled for the 'default-information originate' command to work. The command does not function if OSPF is not operational.
E
In both OSPF and EIGRP, the 'default-information originate' command automatically redistributes all connected routes into the routing protocol.
Why wrong: Incorrect. The 'default-information originate' command only injects a default route (0.0.0.0/0). It does not redistribute any other routes.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Answer choices

Why each option matters

Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.

Correct answer & explanation

✓

In OSPF, the 'default-information originate' command always injects a default route into the OSPF domain, even if no default route exists in the routing table, provided the 'always' keyword is used.

The 'default-information originate' command in OSPF and EIGRP has specific behaviors. In OSPF, it always originates a default route regardless of the routing table, unless the 'always' keyword is omitted and there is no default route in the routing table. In EIGRP, it requires a default route in the routing table to inject the default, unless the 'always' keyword is used. The command does not automatically redistribute all routes; it only injects a default route.

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.

✓
In OSPF, the 'default-information originate' command always injects a default route into the OSPF domain, even if no default route exists in the routing table, provided the 'always' keyword is used.
Why this is correct
Correct. The 'always' keyword forces OSPF to originate a default route even if no default route is present in the routing table.
Related concept
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
✗
In EIGRP, the 'redistribute static' command automatically injects a default route if a static default route is configured.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Redistributing static routes into EIGRP will only inject the static default route if it is present, but EIGRP does not automatically generate a default route; you must use the 'default-information originate' command or redistribute the static route explicitly.
✓
In EIGRP, the 'default-information originate' command will inject a default route only if a default route is present in the routing table, unless the 'always' keyword is configured.
Why this is correct
Correct. By default, EIGRP's 'default-information originate' requires a default route in the routing table to inject it. The 'always' keyword overrides this requirement.
Related concept
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
✗
In OSPF, the 'default-information originate always' command will inject a default route even if OSPF is not configured on any interface.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. OSPF must have at least one active interface with OSPF enabled for the 'default-information originate' command to work. The command does not function if OSPF is not operational.
✗
In both OSPF and EIGRP, the 'default-information originate' command automatically redistributes all connected routes into the routing protocol.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. The 'default-information originate' command only injects a default route (0.0.0.0/0). It does not redistribute any other routes.

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
Incorrect. Redistributing static routes into EIGRP will only inject the static default route if it is present, but EIGRP does not automatically generate a default route; you must use the 'default-information originate' command or redistribute the static route explicitly.

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.

What to study next

Got this wrong? Here's your next step.

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.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this 300-410 question test?

Route Redistribution — This question tests Route Redistribution — OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: In OSPF, the 'default-information originate' command always injects a default route into the OSPF domain, even if no default route exists in the routing table, provided the 'always' keyword is used. — The 'default-information originate' command in OSPF and EIGRP has specific behaviors. In OSPF, it always originates a default route regardless of the routing table, unless the 'always' keyword is omitted and there is no default route in the routing table. In EIGRP, it requires a default route in the routing table to inject the default, unless the 'always' keyword is used. The command does not automatically redistribute all routes; it only injects a default route.

What should I do if I get this 300-410 question wrong?

What is the key concept behind this question?

OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.

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Same concept, more angles

1 more ways this is tested on 300-410

These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.

Variation 1. Which statement correctly describes the behavior of the 'default-information originate' command in OSPF?

medium

A.It always injects a default route into OSPF regardless of the routing table.
B.It injects a default route as a Type 3 LSA.
✓ C.It injects a default route as a Type 5 LSA only if a default route exists in the routing table.
D.It injects a default route as a Type 7 LSA in all OSPF areas.

Why C: The 'default-information originate' command in OSPF generates a default route (0.0.0.0/0) as a Type 5 LSA, but only if a default route exists in the routing table, unless the 'always' keyword is used.

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