The answer is show ip route ospf and show ip ospf interface. The show ip route ospf command displays the OSPF-learned routes in the routing table, including the metric (cost) for each destination, directly revealing the path selection outcome. Meanwhile, show ip ospf interface shows the OSPF cost assigned to each interface, which is the building block of the cumulative metric. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between commands that show the calculated cost per route versus the configured cost per interface. A common trap is choosing show ip ospf neighbor, which only shows adjacency state, not cost, or traceroute, which shows the actual path but not the OSPF metric. Remember the memory tip: “Route shows the total cost; Interface shows the per-link cost.”
300-410 OSPF Troubleshooting (v2/v3) Practice Question
This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of ospf troubleshooting (v2/v3). Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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 TWO commands can be used to verify OSPFv2 path selection and cost metrics on a Cisco IOS router? (Choose TWO.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
show ip ospf interface
The 'show ip ospf interface' command displays the cost of the interface. The 'show ip route ospf' command shows the metric for each OSPF route. 'show ip ospf neighbor' does not show cost; 'traceroute' shows path but not OSPF cost; 'show ip protocols' shows process info but not per-route metrics.
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.
✓
show ip ospf interface
Why this is correct
This command displays the OSPF cost assigned to each interface.
This shows neighbor states and router IDs, not cost metrics.
✗
traceroute
Why it's wrong here
Traceroute shows the path packets take but not OSPF cost values.
✗
show ip protocols
Why it's wrong here
This shows routing protocol timers and filters, not per-route metrics.
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
This shows neighbor states and router IDs, not cost metrics.
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.
OSPF Troubleshooting (v2/v3) — This question tests OSPF Troubleshooting (v2/v3) — OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: show ip ospf interface — The 'show ip ospf interface' command displays the cost of the interface. The 'show ip route ospf' command shows the metric for each OSPF route. 'show ip ospf neighbor' does not show cost; 'traceroute' shows path but not OSPF cost; 'show ip protocols' shows process info but not per-route metrics.
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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