easyMultiple Choice
300-410 Practice Question: The default OSPF hello interval on a Cisco IOS-XE…
What is the default OSPF hello interval on a Cisco IOS-XE router for a broadcast network type?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates confuse the hello interval with the dead interval — 40 seconds is the dead interval on broadcast networks, so candidates who mix up the two timers pick option C.
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
✓
10 seconds
On Cisco IOS-XE routers, the default OSPF hello interval for broadcast and point-to-point network types is 10 seconds, with a corresponding dead interval of 40 seconds (4× the hello). This matches the OSPF standard for these multi-access and point-to-point media, where faster hello timers are used to detect neighbor loss quickly. Non-broadcast (NBMA) and point-to-multipoint networks use a 30-second hello by default instead.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
10 seconds
Why this is correct
On a Cisco IOS-XE router, the default OSPF hello interval for a broadcast network type is 10 seconds, with a corresponding dead interval of 40 seconds. This matches the timer values shown for broadcast interfaces unless manually overridden.
- ✗
30 seconds
Why it's wrong here
On broadcast and point-to-point interfaces the default Hello interval is 10 seconds; 30 seconds applies to NBMA and point-to-multipoint network types. The stem specifies broadcast, so the timer shown in 'show ip ospf interface' would read Hello 10, not 30.
- ✗
40 seconds
Why it's wrong here
Broadcast network types use a 10-second Hello timer by default; 40 seconds is the Dead interval derived from it, not the Hello value. The stem asks specifically about the Hello interval, which the interface output displays as 'Hello 10' alongside 'Dead 40'.
- ✗
60 seconds
Why it's wrong here
The default Hello interval on broadcast interfaces is 10 seconds, matching the Dead interval of 40 seconds at four times that value. 60 seconds corresponds to neither timer on a broadcast segment, though it can appear as a Hello value on some non-broadcast configurations.
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.