mediumMultiple Choice
300-410 Practice Question: Examine this OSPF configuration snippet on router…
Examine this OSPF configuration snippet on router R3:
router ospf 1 network 10.1.1.0 0.0.0.255 area 0
default-information originate always
What is the effect of the default-information originate always command?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap is forgetting the effect of the 'always' keyword; candidates often choose the option that describes the default behavior without 'always', which is conditional advertisement.
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
✓
R3 will unconditionally advertise a default route into OSPF as an external LSA type 5.
The 'default-information originate always' command in OSPF causes the router to unconditionally advertise a default route (0.0.0.0/0) into OSPF as an external Type 5 LSA, regardless of whether the router itself has a default route in its routing table. Without the 'always' keyword, the router would only advertise a default route if one exists in its routing table. This command is used to inject a default route into the OSPF domain from an ASBR.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
R3 will advertise a default route into OSPF only if it has a default route in its routing table.
Why it's wrong here
The always keyword removes the dependency on a default route existing locally, so R3 originates the default regardless. Without always, this option would be correct, since OSPF then advertises 0.0.0.0 only when one is present in the routing table.
- ✓
R3 will unconditionally advertise a default route into OSPF as an external LSA type 5.
Why this is correct
The always keyword removes the requirement for a default route in R3's routing table. R3 therefore injects a default route into the OSPF domain unconditionally, flooding it as an AS-external LSA type 5 throughout the area.
- ✗
R3 will advertise a default route only if it is an ASBR.
Why it's wrong here
The `always` keyword makes R3 originate a default route regardless of whether one exists in its routing table, so the conditional ASBR requirement is removed. Without `always`, R3 would need a default route present and redistribution into OSPF, making this the correct behaviour when R3 genuinely relies on an upstream default.
- ✗
The command is invalid because default-information originate requires a route-map.
Why it's wrong here
The command accepts an optional route-map; without one, OSPF advertises a default route unconditionally, so the syntax is valid. A route-map is only required when you want conditional advertisement, such as matching a specific prefix or tag before injecting the default into the OSPF domain.
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.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
ACL-Based Traffic Filtering and Policy-Based Routing
Key term
OSPF Default Route Advertisement
OSPF Default Route Advertisement is the process by which a router using the OSPF routing protocol tells other routers to send all traffic for unknown destinations to it, acting as a gateway of last resort.
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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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