mediumMultiple Choice
300-410 Practice Question: Examine the following OSPF configuration on…
Examine the following OSPF configuration on router R1:
router ospf 1 network 10.0.0.0 0.255.255.255 area 0 network 192.168.1.0 0.0.0.255 area 1
What is the effect of this configuration?
⚠ Common exam trap
300-410 often tests the misconception that a single OSPF process cannot span multiple areas — candidates forget that ABRs exist and that network statements with wildcard masks match ranges, not single IPs.
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
✓
All interfaces with IP addresses in the 10.0.0.0/8 range will be enabled for OSPF in area 0, and interfaces in 192.168.1.0/24 will be in area 1.
The OSPF network statements use wildcard masks to match interfaces. The first statement 'network 10.0.0.0 0.255.255.255 area 0' matches any interface with an IP in 10.0.0.0/8 and places it in area 0. The second statement 'network 192.168.1.0 0.0.0.255 area 1' matches interfaces in 192.168.1.0/24 and places them in area 1. This is valid OSPF configuration; a single process can have interfaces in multiple areas (it becomes an ABR).
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
All interfaces with IP addresses in the 10.0.0.0/8 range will be enabled for OSPF in area 0, and interfaces in 192.168.1.0/24 will be in area 1.
Why this is correct
The wildcard mask 0.255.255.255 matches any interface address beginning with 10, placing those interfaces in area 0, while 0.0.0.255 matches only 192.168.1.x for area 1. This satisfies the stem's requirement that each network statement assigns its matched interfaces to the specified area.
- ✗
Only the interface with IP 10.0.0.1 will be in area 0; all other 10.x.x.x interfaces are ignored.
Why it's wrong here
The wildcard 0.255.255.255 matches every 10.x.x.x interface, so all of them join area 0, not just 10.0.0.1. It is tempting because a /8 network statement looks like it targets one address, and that answer would be right if the mask were 0.0.0.0, matching a single interface.
- ✗
The configuration is invalid because OSPF process 1 cannot have two network statements in different areas.
Why it's wrong here
A single OSPF process routinely carries multiple network statements placed into different areas; the process ID is locally significant and unrelated to area membership. It is tempting because process-to-area mapping sounds like a constraint, and one process per area would be the design if areas required separate processes.
- ✗
The configuration will cause a routing loop between area 0 and area 1.
Why it's wrong here
Areas 0 and 1 connected through one router form a valid ABR adjacency; OSPF prevents loops via the area 0 backbone rule and SPF, not by rejecting such configs. It is tempting because inter-area redistribution can misconfigure, and a loop would be the correct answer if two non-backbone areas were joined without area 0.
Visual reference
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
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