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350-401 Practice Question: The default OSPF hello interval on an Ethernet…
What is the default OSPF hello interval on an Ethernet link?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between broadcast and NBMA network types, where candidates confuse the 30-second hello interval of NBMA with the 10-second default for Ethernet.
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
The default OSPF hello interval on an Ethernet (broadcast multi-access) link is 10 seconds, as defined in RFC 2328. This interval determines how often a router sends Hello packets to discover and maintain neighbor relationships. The correct answer is A because Ethernet is a broadcast network type, which uses a 10-second hello interval by default.
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. OSPF default hello interval on Ethernet is 10 seconds.
- ✗
30 seconds
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. 30 seconds is the default for NBMA networks.
- ✗
40 seconds
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. 40 seconds is not a standard OSPF hello interval.
- ✗
5 seconds
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. 5 seconds is not the default; 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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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 350-401 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 350-401 exam.