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350-401 Practice Question: The default OSPF hello interval on a broadcast…
What is the default OSPF hello interval on a broadcast multi-access network (e.g., Ethernet)?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between hello and dead intervals, and candidates frequently confuse the 40-second dead interval with the hello interval, or mistakenly apply NBMA defaults to broadcast networks.
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
✓
10 seconds
On broadcast multi-access networks like Ethernet, OSPF defaults to a hello interval of 10 seconds. This is defined in RFC 2328 and is used to quickly detect neighbor failures while keeping overhead low. The corresponding dead interval is 40 seconds (4 times the hello interval).
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
The default hello interval for OSPF on broadcast and point-to-point networks is 10 seconds.
- ✗
30 seconds
Why it's wrong here
30 seconds is the default hello interval for OSPF on non-broadcast multi-access (NBMA) networks.
- ✗
40 seconds
Why it's wrong here
A 40-second hello interval is the default for OSPF on non-broadcast multi-access (NBMA) networks, such as Frame Relay, not for broadcast multi-access networks like Ethernet, where the default is 10 seconds. This option tempts because it is the correct default for NBMA topologies, where slower hello timers accommodate the lack of broadcast capability and higher propagation delays.
- ✗
5 seconds
Why it's wrong here
5 seconds is not a default OSPF hello interval; it can be configured manually.
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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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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