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300-410 Practice Question: The default OSPF network type for a serial…
What is the default OSPF network type for a serial interface configured with HDLC encapsulation on Cisco routers?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse the default OSPF network type for serial interfaces with the default for Ethernet (broadcast) or Frame Relay (NBMA), forgetting that HDLC encapsulation forces a point-to-point OSPF network type.
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
✓
Point-to-point
On Cisco routers, a serial interface using HDLC encapsulation defaults to the OSPF network type point-to-point. This is because HDLC is a synchronous framing protocol that inherently implies a direct, single-neighbor link, so OSPF automatically sets the network type to point-to-point, which requires no DR/BDR election and uses multicast Hello packets (224.0.0.5).
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Broadcast
Why it's wrong here
Broadcast is the default for Ethernet interfaces, not serial HDLC.
- ✗
Non-broadcast (NBMA)
Why it's wrong here
NBMA is the default for Frame Relay multipoint interfaces, not HDLC.
- ✓
Point-to-point
Why this is correct
Correct: Serial HDLC defaults to point-to-point, enabling faster convergence without DR/BDR election.
- ✗
Point-to-multipoint
Why it's wrong here
Point-to-multipoint is not a default network type for any interface; it must be configured manually.
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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