hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
300-410 Practice Question: An engineer configures an EIGRP named mode with…
An engineer configures an EIGRP named mode with an offset-list applied to the delay metric on a serial interface. The offset-list increases the delay by 1000 microseconds. However, the feasible distance (FD) updates correctly, but the advertised distance (AD) does not change. What is the most likely explanation?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between advertised distance and feasible distance, and the trap here is that candidates assume an offset-list applied to an interface will affect both the local metric and the metric reported to neighbors, when in fact it only affects the local FD calculation.
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
✓
The offset-list only modifies the FD on the local router, not the AD received from the neighbor.
The offset-list in EIGRP modifies the composite metric (feasible distance) on the local router by adding delay to the interface where it is applied. However, the advertised distance (AD) is the metric that the neighbor reports for a route; it is received in EIGRP update packets and is not altered by the local router's offset-list. Therefore, only the FD changes, while the AD remains unchanged because it is a value learned from the neighbor.
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 offset-list only modifies the FD on the local router, not the AD received from the neighbor.
Why this is correct
Offset-list adjusts the delay locally for the FD, but the AD is the neighbor's reported metric and is not altered by the local offset-list.
- ✗
The offset-list is applied to the wrong interface; it should be applied to the neighbor's interface.
Why it's wrong here
Offset-list is applied locally and affects outgoing updates; it cannot be applied on a remote router.
- ✗
The named mode EIGRP does not support offset-lists; only classic mode does.
Why it's wrong here
Named mode EIGRP supports offset-lists under the address-family interface configuration.
- ✗
The offset-list is configured with the wrong direction; it should be inbound.
Why it's wrong here
Offset-list inbound would affect metrics of received routes, but the AD is still the neighbor's original metric, not the modified one.
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.