easyMultiple Choice
300-410 Practice Question: The default maximum hop count for RIP routes in…
What is the default maximum hop count for RIP routes in Cisco IOS?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap is confusing the maximum hop count (15) with the infinity value (16). Candidates might think 16 is the maximum because it's the next number, but it actually signifies an unreachable route.
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
✓
15
RIP uses hop count as its metric, with a maximum valid hop count of 15. A hop count of 16 is considered infinity, meaning the destination is unreachable. This limit prevents routing loops but restricts RIP to small networks. The default maximum hop count in Cisco IOS is 15, as defined in RFC 1058 and 2453.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
15
Why this is correct
RIP treats 15 as the maximum usable metric, counting each router traversed as one hop. A route reaching 16 is marked unreachable, which bounds the protocol's diameter and prevents count-to-infinity loops. Cisco IOS applies this default without configuration.
- ✗
16
Why it's wrong here
Sixteen is the metric that marks a route unreachable, not RIP's default maximum hop count; IOS advertises a maximum of 15 usable hops. It tempts candidates who recall the number appearing in RIP tables as infinity. The stem asks for the configured default maximum, which is 15.
- ✗
255
Why it's wrong here
255 is not RIP's hop limit; it is the maximum administrative distance value in IOS, used to mark routes as unusable. It tempts candidates who recall 255 from distance-related configuration. RIP's default maximum hop count is 15, with 16 meaning infinity.
- ✗
10
Why it's wrong here
Ten is not RIP's hop limit; it is the administrative distance of a directly connected or statically configured route in IOS. It tempts candidates who conflate administrative distance with hop count. RIP's default maximum hop count is 15, with 16 denoting unreachable.
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.