mediumMultiple Choice
300-410 Practice Question: Is the default EIGRP network type on a Frame…
Which of the following is the default EIGRP network type on a Frame Relay point-to-point subinterface?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the misconception that Frame Relay always defaults to NBMA, but candidates must remember that point-to-point subinterfaces override this default to point-to-point, while only physical interfaces or multipoint subinterfaces retain the NBMA default.
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 a Frame Relay point-to-point subinterface, the default EIGRP network type is point-to-point. This is because each point-to-point subinterface creates a separate logical connection to a single remote router, eliminating the need for NBMA-specific mechanisms like split horizon or next-hop-self adjustments. The point-to-point network type enables EIGRP to use multicast hello packets (224.0.0.10) and form a single adjacency over the link.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
NBMA
Why it's wrong here
On a Frame Relay point-to-point subinterface, EIGRP defaults to point-to-point network type, not NBMA, so it sends multicast hellos without needing static neighbour statements. NBMA is tempting because it is the default on physical Frame Relay multipoint interfaces, where it would be the correct choice.
- ✓
Point-to-point
Why this is correct
EIGRP treats a Frame Relay point-to-point subinterface as a point-to-point network by default, since each subinterface maps to a single remote peer over a dedicated PVC. This satisfies the stem's constraint: no DR/BDR election or multicast adjacency handling is needed, so EIGRP forms adjacencies directly without altering the default network type.
- ✗
Broadcast
Why it's wrong here
Broadcast is not the default on a Frame Relay point-to-point subinterface; EIGRP treats that interface as point-to-point, so it forms adjacencies without DR/BDR election or multicast mapping. Broadcast is tempting because it is the default on multipoint subinterfaces and physical Frame Relay interfaces, where multiple neighbours share one subnet and dynamic mapping is required.
- ✗
Point-to-multipoint
Why it's wrong here
On a Frame Relay point-to-point subinterface, EIGRP defaults to point-to-point network type, not point-to-multipoint. Point-to-multipoint is the default only on multipoint subinterfaces and physical Frame Relay interfaces, where no DR/BDR election occurs and neighbours form over a non-broadcast multi-access cloud.
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
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