Quick Answer
The answer is 255, as EIGRP enforces a maximum hop count of 255 to prevent routing loops, serving as a hard protocol limit that cannot be exceeded. This value acts as a final safety mechanism because, while EIGRP primarily relies on the Diffusing Update Algorithm (DUAL) for loop-free path selection, the hop count provides an additional safeguard against indefinite packet forwarding in case of configuration errors or network instability. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this concept often appears in questions testing your understanding of EIGRP’s loop prevention features, with a common trap being confusion with RIP’s hop count limit of 15 or assuming the default value is the maximum. Remember that the ‘metric maximum-hops’ command allows you to set any value up to 255, but the absolute maximum is always 255. A simple memory tip: think of EIGRP’s hop count as a “two-five-five” safety net—two layers of loop prevention (DUAL plus hop count) and five times more hops than RIP’s limit.
This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of enterprise network design. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
What is the maximum hop count for EIGRP?
255
EIGRP uses a 1-byte hop count field, allowing a maximum of 255 hops.
15
Why wrong: 15 is the maximum hop count for RIP, not EIGRP.
128
Why wrong: 128 is not the maximum hop count for EIGRP.
Unlimited
Why wrong: EIGRP has a finite hop count limit of 255.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
255
EIGRP uses a maximum hop count of 255 to prevent routing loops, which is a hard limit enforced by the protocol. This value is configurable via the 'metric maximum-hops' command under the EIGRP process, but the absolute maximum is 255. Unlike distance-vector protocols like RIP, EIGRP is an advanced distance-vector protocol that uses the Diffusing Update Algorithm (DUAL) for loop avoidance, but the hop count serves as a final safety mechanism.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
255
Why this is correct
EIGRP uses a 1-byte hop count field, allowing a maximum of 255 hops.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
15
128
Why it's wrong here
128 is not the maximum hop count for EIGRP.
Unlimited
Why it's wrong here
EIGRP has a finite hop count limit of 255.
Common exam traps
Cisco often tests the distinction between the default hop count (100) and the maximum hop count (255), leading candidates to mistakenly select 128 or 15 due to confusion with other protocols or default values.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, the EIGRP packet header includes a 1-byte TTL (Time-to-Live) field, which is decremented at each hop; when it reaches 0, the route is considered unreachable. The default hop count is 100, but in large-scale enterprise networks, administrators often increase it to 200 or 255 to support deeper topologies, such as in DMVPN or MPLS L3VPN overlays where multiple EIGRP hops traverse the underlay. The 'show ip eigrp topology' command reveals the hop count for each route, and exceeding the configured maximum causes the route to be marked as 'not in routing table'.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the 350-401 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
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FAQ
Enterprise Network Design — This question tests Enterprise Network Design — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: 255 — EIGRP uses a maximum hop count of 255 to prevent routing loops, which is a hard limit enforced by the protocol. This value is configurable via the 'metric maximum-hops' command under the EIGRP process, but the absolute maximum is 255. Unlike distance-vector protocols like RIP, EIGRP is an advanced distance-vector protocol that uses the Diffusing Update Algorithm (DUAL) for loop avoidance, but the hop count serves as a final safety mechanism.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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.
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