easyMultiple Choice
300-410 Practice Question: The default EIGRP hello interval on a…
What is the default EIGRP hello interval on a point-to-point serial interface with bandwidth 1544 Kbps?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap is assuming that low bandwidth (T1 or lower) always means a 60-second hello interval. In reality, the 60-second interval applies only to multipoint interfaces at T1 or lower; point-to-point serial interfaces use 5 seconds regardless of bandwidth.
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
✓
5 seconds
EIGRP hello intervals depend on interface type and bandwidth. On point-to-point serial interfaces (and multipoint interfaces with bandwidth greater than T1), the default hello interval is 5 seconds. On multipoint interfaces with bandwidth of T1 (1544 Kbps) or lower, the default is 60 seconds. Since the question specifies a point-to-point serial interface at 1544 Kbps, the correct default is 5 seconds.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
5 seconds
Why this is correct
Incorrect. The 5-second hello interval applies only to interfaces with bandwidth greater than 1544 Kbps, not exactly 1544 Kbps.
- ✗
60 seconds
Why it's wrong here
Correct. For serial interfaces with bandwidth exactly 1544 Kbps, the default hello interval is 60 seconds.
- ✗
10 seconds
Why it's wrong here
EIGRP uses a 5-second hello interval on point-to-point serial links, so 10 seconds applies to multipoint or low-bandwidth interfaces instead. The 1544 Kbps bandwidth does not alter this. Ten seconds is tempting because it is the default on Frame Relay multipoint and ATM interfaces, where slower hellos suit shared media.
- ✗
30 seconds
Why it's wrong here
EIGRP sends hellos every 5 seconds on point-to-point serial links; 30 seconds is the default for NBMA multipoint and low-speed interfaces. Bandwidth 1544 Kbps does not trigger that timer. Thirty seconds tempts because it matches OSPF's broadcast and point-to-point hello interval, a different protocol entirely.
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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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
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.