hardMultiple Choice
300-410 Practice Question: An engineer configures OSPFv3 with multiple areas
An engineer configures OSPFv3 with multiple areas. On the ABR, routes from area 1 are not being advertised into area 0. Which is the most likely explanation?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that any router with interfaces in multiple areas automatically becomes an ABR and advertises routes between them, but OSPF strictly requires a connection to area 0 for inter-area routing.
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 ABR does not have a direct interface in area 0.
For a router to function as an OSPFv3 Area Border Router (ABR), it must have at least one interface in the backbone area (area 0). Without a direct interface in area 0, the router cannot generate Type 3 summary LSAs for area 1 into area 0, so routes from area 1 will not be advertised into the backbone. This is a fundamental OSPF topology requirement, not a configuration 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.
- ✓
The ABR does not have a direct interface in area 0.
Why this is correct
OSPFv3 requires an interface in the backbone area for an ABR to generate inter-area routes. Without a direct area 0 interface, the router cannot form the required backbone adjacency, so area 1 prefixes are never translated into area 0 LSAs.
- ✗
The ABR has a higher router ID than the other routers.
Why it's wrong here
Router ID selection is independent of area border router route propagation; a higher ID does not stop area 1 prefixes entering area 0. It is tempting because router ID conflicts cause adjacency issues, but the actual cause here is a missing or filtered inter-area advertisement, such as area range or distribute-list configuration.
- ✗
The OSPFv3 process is configured with the 'no-redistribution' command.
Why it's wrong here
OSPFv3 has no 'no-redistribution' command; redistribution filtering uses route-maps or distribute-lists. The command belongs to other routing protocols, so it cannot explain missing inter-area routes. It is tempting because redistribution concepts exist elsewhere, but OSPFv3 advertises intra-area routes automatically.
- ✗
The ABR is configured as a stub router.
Why it's wrong here
A stub router suppresses transit capability via max-metric, not inter-area prefix advertisement; area 1 routes still flood into area 0. Stub configuration suits routers that should not carry transit traffic. The stem's missing LSAs point to area configuration or virtual links instead.
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
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.