The correct answer is that the command sets the administrative distance for intra-area OSPF routes to 150, inter-area to 160, and external to 170. This works because the `distance ospf` command allows you to override the default administrative distance of 110 on a per-route-type basis, giving you granular control over route preference within the OSPF process. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this tests your understanding of how OSPF distinguishes between intra-area (O), inter-area (O IA), and external (O E1/E2) routes, and it often appears in troubleshooting scenarios where a router must prefer a specific path type over another. A common trap is confusing this command with the global `distance` command, which applies a single distance to all OSPF routes; the per-type variant is more precise. For a quick memory tip, think of the order as “I-A-E” (Intra, Inter, External) matching the command’s sequence, and remember that lower distances are more trustworthy, so intra-area routes here are still preferred over inter-area and external.
300-410 Administrative Distance Practice Question
This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of administrative distance. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
Examine this configuration:
```
router ospf 1
distance ospf intra-area 150 inter-area 160 external 170
```
What is the effect of this command?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
It sets the administrative distance for intra-area OSPF routes to 150, inter-area to 160, and external to 170.
This command sets different administrative distances for different OSPF route types: intra-area to 150, inter-area to 160, external to 170.
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.
✗
It sets the administrative distance for all OSPF routes to 150.
Why it's wrong here
The command specifies three different distances.
✓
It sets the administrative distance for intra-area OSPF routes to 150, inter-area to 160, and external to 170.
It sets the administrative distance for OSPF routes to 150, but only for routes learned from area 1.
Why it's wrong here
No area qualification is used.
✗
It sets the administrative distance for OSPF external routes to 170 and leaves intra-area and inter-area at default.
Why it's wrong here
All three are explicitly set.
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 command specifies three different distances.
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: It sets the administrative distance for intra-area OSPF routes to 150, inter-area to 160, and external to 170. — This command sets different administrative distances for different OSPF route types: intra-area to 150, inter-area to 160, external to 170.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
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Question Discussion
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