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300-410 Practice Question: In OSPF, what is the default hello interval on a…
In OSPF, what is the default hello interval on a point-to-point network type?
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
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10 seconds
OSPF default hello interval is 10 seconds for broadcast and point-to-point networks, and 30 seconds for NBMA networks. This is defined in RFC 2328.
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
Correct. Point-to-point and broadcast networks use a 10-second hello interval.
- ✗
30 seconds
Why it's wrong here
30 seconds is the default for NBMA networks.
- ✗
5 seconds
Why it's wrong here
5 seconds is not a default; it can be configured manually.
- ✗
40 seconds
Why it's wrong here
A 40-second hello interval is the default for OSPF on Non-Broadcast Multi-Access (NBMA) networks, not point-to-point links. On a point-to-point network, the default hello interval is 10 seconds; the 40-second value fails because OSPF uses a shorter interval to detect neighbour loss faster on direct links. This option tempts candidates who confuse the NBMA default (40 seconds) with the point-to-point default, as both are common OSPF network types but differ in their hello timer specifications.
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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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.