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300-410 Practice Question: The default OSPF dead interval on a…
What is the default OSPF dead interval on a point-to-point network when the hello interval is set to 10 seconds?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the 4x multiplier rule, and the trap here is that candidates mistakenly think the dead interval equals the hello interval or use a 2x or 3x multiplier, confusing OSPF timers with other protocols like EIGRP or forgetting the default values for different network types.
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
✓
40 seconds
The default OSPF dead interval is four times the hello interval. On a point-to-point network, the default hello interval is 10 seconds, so the dead interval defaults to 40 seconds. This relationship is defined in RFC 2328 and is not configurable independently unless explicitly overridden.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
10 seconds
Why it's wrong here
This is the default hello interval, not the dead interval.
- ✗
20 seconds
Why it's wrong here
This would be double the hello interval, but the default multiplier is 4.
- ✗
30 seconds
Why it's wrong here
This is not a standard OSPF default dead interval for point-to-point links.
- ✓
40 seconds
Why this is correct
Correct: OSPF dead interval defaults to 4 times the hello interval (4 x 10 = 40 seconds).
Visual reference
Quick reference
Routing Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Metric | Max Hops | Algorithm | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIP v2 | Hop count | 15 | Bellman-Ford | Distance vector |
| OSPF | Cost (bandwidth) | Unlimited | Dijkstra (SPF) | Link state |
| EIGRP | Composite metric | Unlimited | DUAL | Hybrid |
| IS-IS | Cost | Unlimited | Dijkstra | Link state |
| BGP | Policy / attributes | Unlimited | Path vector | Path vector |
RIP's 15-hop limit makes it unsuitable for large networks. OSPF and EIGRP dominate modern enterprise deployments.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 300-410 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 300-410 exam.