The answer is show ip route and show ip bgp. These two commands are correct because troubleshooting BGP next-hop unreachable requires verifying both the BGP table and the IP routing table: show ip bgp reveals whether a route is marked with an 'r' status code, indicating a RIB-failure due to an unreachable next hop, while show ip route confirms whether that specific next-hop IP address actually exists in the routing table. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between verification commands and debug or neighbor-state commands—a common trap is choosing show ip bgp neighbors or show ip bgp summary, which only show peering status, not next-hop reachability. Remember the two-step check: first inspect the BGP table for the 'r' flag, then cross-reference with the routing table; if the next hop is missing, the route will not install. A useful memory tip is “BGP table flags it, route table confirms it.”
300-410 BGP Troubleshooting Practice Question
This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of bgp troubleshooting. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Which TWO commands would a network engineer use to verify the BGP next-hop reachability issue when a route is not being installed in the routing table? (Choose TWO.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
show ip bgp
The show ip bgp command displays the BGP table with status codes; if the next hop is not reachable, the route will show as 'r' (RIB-failure) or not be installed. The show ip route command verifies if the next-hop IP is present in the routing table. show ip bgp neighbors displays neighbor state but not next-hop reachability. show ip bgp summary shows neighbor summary, not route details. debug ip bgp updates is a debug command, not a verification command.
Key principle: OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
show ip bgp
Why this is correct
Displays the BGP table; routes with unreachable next hops may show as 'r' or not be installed.
Shows BGP neighbor status and parameters, not next-hop reachability.
✗
show ip bgp summary
Why it's wrong here
Provides a summary of BGP neighbors and their states, not route details.
✗
debug ip bgp updates
Why it's wrong here
A debugging tool that logs BGP updates; not a verification command.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: OSPF can fail even when IP connectivity looks correct
OSPF neighbour formation depends on matching areas, timers, network type, authentication and passive-interface behaviour. Do not choose an answer only because the devices can ping.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Shows BGP neighbor status and parameters, not next-hop reachability.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
OSPF questions usually test the details that control adjacency and route selection. Read the neighbour state, area, router ID and interface configuration before deciding what is wrong.
KKey Concepts to Remember
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
Router ID selection can affect neighbour relationships and LSDB output.
OSPF cost influences the preferred path.
A route can appear in OSPF information but not become the installed route.
TExam Day Tips
→Check area mismatch first when OSPF adjacency fails.
→Review passive interfaces when a network is advertised but no neighbour forms.
→Use show ip ospf neighbor and show ip route clues carefully.
Key takeaway
OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A network engineer at a university connects two campus buildings via a fibre link. Both routers run OSPF, but no adjacency forms — even though both routers can ping each other. The engineer finds one router is in area 0 and the other in area 1. OSPF adjacency requires matching area numbers, hello/dead timers, and network type. IP reachability alone is not enough.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 300-410 question in full detail.
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related 300-410 OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
BGP Troubleshooting — This question tests BGP Troubleshooting — OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: show ip bgp — The show ip bgp command displays the BGP table with status codes; if the next hop is not reachable, the route will show as 'r' (RIB-failure) or not be installed. The show ip route command verifies if the next-hop IP is present in the routing table. show ip bgp neighbors displays neighbor state but not next-hop reachability. show ip bgp summary shows neighbor summary, not route details. debug ip bgp updates is a debug command, not a verification command.
What should I do if I get this 300-410 question wrong?
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related 300-410 OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
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