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300-410 Practice Question: An engineer is troubleshooting an OSPF network…
An engineer is troubleshooting an OSPF network where route summarization is configured on an ABR. Which TWO statements correctly describe the behavior of OSPF inter-area route summarization using the 'area range' command? (Choose TWO.)
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 'area range' command creates a single Type 3 LSA for the summary prefix and suppresses the advertisement of individual Type 3 LSAs for the component networks.
The 'area range' command on an ABR summarizes routes from one area into another. It creates a single Type 3 LSA for the summary prefix, suppresses the individual Type 3 LSAs for the component networks, and does not affect Type 1 or Type 2 LSAs within the area. The summary LSA is advertised with a cost equal to the highest cost among the component routes, not the lowest. The command does not automatically summarize redistributed routes; that requires the 'summary-address' command under the OSPF process.
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 'area range' command creates a single Type 3 LSA for the summary prefix and suppresses the advertisement of individual Type 3 LSAs for the component networks.
Why this is correct
Correct. The ABR generates one Type 3 LSA for the range and does not advertise the individual Type 3 LSAs for the more specific routes.
- ✗
The cost of the summary LSA is set to the lowest cost among the component routes within the range.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. The cost of the summary LSA is the highest (maximum) cost among the component routes, not the lowest.
- ✗
The 'area range' command also summarizes external routes redistributed into OSPF from other protocols.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. External routes are summarized using the 'summary-address' command under the OSPF process, not the 'area range' command.
- ✗
The summary route is advertised with a metric type of E1 or E2, depending on the original external metric type.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. The 'area range' command applies to inter-area routes (Type 3 LSAs), not external routes. External metric types apply to Type 5/7 LSAs.
- ✓
The 'area range' command can be configured only on ABRs and not on ASBRs.
Why this is correct
Correct. The 'area range' command is used on ABRs to summarize routes between OSPF areas. ASBRs use 'summary-address' for external route summarization.
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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Same concept, more angles
2 more ways this is tested on 300-410
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Which TWO configuration steps are required to implement manual route summarization in OSPF on an ABR? (Choose TWO.)
medium- ✓ A.Configure the 'area area-id range network mask' command under router OSPF configuration.
- ✓ B.Ensure the summary address is a supernet of the networks being summarized.
- C.Use the 'summary-address network mask' command under router OSPF configuration.
- D.Apply the 'ip summary-address ospf' command under the interface connecting to the backbone.
- E.Configure a 'network' statement that matches the summary address.
Why A: In OSPF, manual summarization on an ABR is done using the 'area range' command under router configuration mode, which summarizes routes from one area into another. The summary address must be within the range of networks in the area. The 'summary-address' command is used for external routes on ASBRs, not for inter-area summarization. 'network' commands define interfaces, not summarization. 'default-information originate' is for default routes.
Variation 2. In OSPF, what is the default metric for a Type 3 summary LSA generated by an ABR using the 'area range' command?
easy- ✓ A.The lowest metric among the summarized routes.
- B.The highest metric among the summarized routes.
- C.The sum of all metrics.
- D.The metric is set to 1 by default.
Why A: The default metric for a Type 3 summary LSA is the lowest metric among the component routes being summarized.
JA
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.