The answer is that neighbors are discovered via unicast hello packets and no DR/BDR is elected. This is correct because the OSPF point-to-multipoint network type treats the entire segment as a collection of individual point-to-point links, meaning it cannot rely on broadcast or multicast flooding for neighbor discovery. Instead, each router sends unicast hello packets to manually configured or dynamically learned neighbors, and since no multi-access broadcast domain exists, there is no need for a Designated Router or Backup Designated Router to manage adjacencies. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this concept tests your understanding of how OSPF adapts to non-broadcast multi-access (NBMA) environments like Frame Relay or DMVPN, where multicast is not supported. A common trap is confusing this with the point-to-point network type, which also has no DR/BDR but uses multicast hellos. Remember the memory tip: “Unicast hellos, no DR—point-to-multipoint is a collection of point-to-point links.”
300-410 Device Access Control Practice Question
This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of device access control. 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.
Which statement correctly describes the behavior of OSPF network type 'point-to-multipoint' regarding neighbor discovery?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Neighbors are discovered via unicast hello packets and no DR/BDR is elected.
In OSPF point-to-multipoint network type, neighbors are manually configured or discovered via unicast hello packets because the network does not support broadcast or multicast flooding. No Designated Router (DR) or Backup Designated Router (BDR) is elected because the network is treated as a collection of point-to-point links, avoiding the need for a central adjacency point.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Neighbors are discovered via multicast hello packets and a DR/BDR is elected.
Why it's wrong here
Multicast hello and DR/BDR election are characteristic of broadcast networks, not point-to-multipoint.
✓
Neighbors are discovered via unicast hello packets and no DR/BDR is elected.
Why this is correct
Correct. Point-to-multipoint uses unicast hellos and no DR/BDR election.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Neighbors are discovered via multicast hello packets but no DR/BDR is elected.
Why it's wrong here
Multicast hellos are not used on point-to-multipoint networks; hellos are unicast.
✗
Neighbors are discovered via unicast hello packets and a DR/BDR is elected.
Why it's wrong here
DR/BDR election does not occur on point-to-multipoint networks.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that point-to-multipoint uses multicast hellos (like broadcast or point-to-point) or that it still requires a DR/BDR (like NBMA), leading candidates to confuse it with other OSPF network types.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
OSPF point-to-multipoint is defined in RFC 2328 and is commonly used over Frame Relay or other non-broadcast multi-access networks where each router can communicate directly with any other router but without broadcast capability. The OSPF interface mode 'ip ospf network point-to-multipoint' forces unicast hellos to each configured neighbor, and each adjacency is treated as a separate point-to-point link, eliminating the DR/BDR election process entirely. This reduces overhead and complexity in hub-and-spoke topologies.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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.
Device Access Control — This question tests Device Access Control — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Neighbors are discovered via unicast hello packets and no DR/BDR is elected. — In OSPF point-to-multipoint network type, neighbors are manually configured or discovered via unicast hello packets because the network does not support broadcast or multicast flooding. No Designated Router (DR) or Backup Designated Router (BDR) is elected because the network is treated as a collection of point-to-point links, avoiding the need for a central adjacency point.
What should I do if I get this 300-410 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.