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300-410 Practice Question: The default maximum number of paths that BGP can…
What is the default maximum number of paths that BGP can install in the routing table using the 'maximum-paths' command in Cisco IOS?
⚠ Common exam trap
300-410 often tests default values, and candidates may assume that BGP supports multipath by default, but it does not; the default is 1.
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
✓
1
In Cisco IOS, the default maximum number of paths that BGP can install in the routing table when using the maximum-paths command is 1. This means that by default, BGP will only install the best path, and not perform equal-cost multipath (ECMP) unless configured otherwise.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
1
Why this is correct
Cisco IOS defaults to installing only one best path per prefix, so eBGP and iBGP multipath load sharing stay disabled until you raise it. The stem asks for the default maximum-paths value, and that default is 1, matching this option.
- ✗
2
Why it's wrong here
Cisco IOS installs a single best path by default; maximum-paths must be configured explicitly to enable equal-cost multipath. Two tempts because it is the common configured value for dual links, and would be correct only after that command is applied.
- ✗
4
Why it's wrong here
Cisco IOS BGP defaults to installing only one best path, not four; 'maximum-paths' must be explicitly configured to allow multipath. Four is a common value administrators set for equal-cost load balancing, which makes it tempting, but it is a configured value rather than the default.
- ✗
6
Why it's wrong here
The BGP default is a single best path; six paths are never installed unless 'maximum-paths 6' is explicitly configured. Six is tempting because it matches the maximum often used with EIGRP or configured for large multipath designs, but it is not BGP's default behaviour.
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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.