The answer is 170, which is the default EIGRP external administrative distance. This is correct because the output explicitly shows “distance 170” and “type internal,” but the key detail is that the route was learned via redistribution—making it an external route—and EIGRP assigns external routes an administrative distance of 170 by default, while internal EIGRP routes use 90. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this concept tests your understanding of how administrative distance influences route selection when multiple routing protocols or redistribution paths exist. A common trap is confusing the “type internal” label with the route’s origin; the route is internal to the EIGRP process but external to the autonomous system, hence the higher distance. Remember the mnemonic: “External EIGRP is 170—one-seven-zero, one step closer to being replaced.”
300-410 Administrative Distance Practice Question
This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of administrative distance. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 to troubleshoot an Administrative Distance issue:
R1# show ip route 192.168.1.0 255.255.255.0
Routing entry for 192.168.1.0/24
Known via "eigrp 100", distance 170, metric 30720, type internal
Redistributing via eigrp 100
Last update from 10.1.1.2 on GigabitEthernet0/0, 00:00:05 ago
Routing Descriptor Blocks:
* 10.1.1.2, from 10.1.1.2, 00:00:05 ago, via GigabitEthernet0/0
Route metric is 30720, traffic share count is 1
Total delay is 2000 microseconds, minimum bandwidth is 100000 Kbit
Reporting 1 hops
What does this output indicate?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "minimum / minimize"
Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
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 an EIGRP external route with administrative distance 170, which is the default for external EIGRP routes.
The output shows the route's administrative distance, which is 170 for EIGRP external routes. This is important for understanding route selection when multiple routing protocols are redistributed.
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 an EIGRP internal route with a default administrative distance of 90.
Why it's wrong here
The distance is 170, not 90, indicating an external route.
✓
The route is an EIGRP external route with administrative distance 170, which is the default for external EIGRP routes.
Why this is correct
EIGRP external routes have a default AD of 170, as shown in the output.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
The route is redistributed from OSPF into EIGRP, hence the distance of 170.
Why it's wrong here
The output does not indicate redistribution from OSPF; it only shows the route is EIGRP external.
✗
The route is learned via EIGRP but the administrative distance has been manually changed to 170.
Why it's wrong here
170 is the default for EIGRP external routes, not a manual change.
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
The output does not indicate redistribution from OSPF; it only shows the route is EIGRP external.
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.
Administrative Distance — This question tests Administrative Distance — OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The route is an EIGRP external route with administrative distance 170, which is the default for external EIGRP routes. — The output shows the route's administrative distance, which is 170 for EIGRP external routes. This is important for understanding route selection when multiple routing protocols are redistributed.
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: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
What is the key concept behind this question?
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
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