mediumMultiple Choice
300-410 Practice Question: Runs the following command on Router R1: R1# show…
A network engineer runs the following command on Router R1:
R1# show route-map
route-map FILTER_OSPF, permit, sequence 10 Match clauses:
ip address prefix-list OSPF_ROUTES
Set clauses: Policy routing matches: 0 packets, 0 bytes route-map FILTER_OSPF, deny, sequence 20 Match clauses: Set clauses: Policy routing matches: 0 packets, 0 bytes
Based on this output, which statement is correct?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to confuse the 'Policy routing matches' counter (which applies only to PBR) with route-map filtering behavior, and misreading an empty deny sequence as a permit-all instead of a deny-all.
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 route-map will permit all routes that match the prefix-list OSPF_ROUTES and deny all others.
The route-map FILTER_OSPF has a permit sequence 10 matching prefix-list OSPF_ROUTES, followed by a deny sequence 20 with no match clause. In Cisco IOS, a route-map sequence with no match clause matches everything, so sequence 20 acts as an implicit deny-all for any route not matched by sequence 10. Therefore, routes matching OSPF_ROUTES are permitted, and all others are denied.
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 route-map will permit all routes that match the prefix-list OSPF_ROUTES and deny all others.
Why this is correct
The implicit deny at sequence 20 rejects every route failing the prefix-list match, so only prefixes listed in OSPF_ROUTES are redistributed. The zero match counters merely reflect that no redistribution has occurred yet, not a configuration fault. This satisfies the stem's requirement to identify the route-map's filtering behaviour.
- ✗
The route-map will permit all routes because sequence 20 has no match clause.
Why it's wrong here
Sequence 20 has no match clause but is a deny entry, so it drops all remaining routes rather than permitting them. It is tempting because an empty match clause in a permit sequence matches everything, and would be correct if sequence 20 were configured as permit instead of deny.
- ✗
The route-map is used for policy-based routing and has matched 0 packets.
Why it's wrong here
The route-map is applied to OSPF route filtering, not policy-based routing; the 'policy routing matches' counter is a generic display field, not evidence of PBR use. It is tempting because that counter appears in the output, and would be correct if the route-map were attached via ip policy route-map.
- ✗
The route-map will deny only routes matching the prefix-list OSPF_ROUTES.
Why it's wrong here
Sequence 20 is an unconditional deny with no match clause, so it denies everything not already permitted by sequence 10, not only prefix-list matches. It is tempting because sequence 10 filters on OSPF_ROUTES, but that permit clause is separate from the catch-all deny.
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.