easyMultiple Choice
350-401 Practice Question: Runs the following command on Router R1: R1# show…
A network engineer runs the following command on Router R1:
R1# show ip route 192.168.2.0
Routing entry for 192.168.2.0/24 Known via "ospf 1", distance 110, metric 20, type inter area Last update from 10.0.0.2 on GigabitEthernet0/0, 00:05:23 ago Routing Descriptor Blocks:
* 10.0.0.2, via GigabitEthernet0/0, 00:05:23 ago
Route metric is 20, traffic share count is 1
Based on this output, what can be concluded?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between OSPF route types by showing the 'type inter area' or 'type intra area' keyword in the show ip route output, and candidates may confuse the metric value (20) with external route metrics, forgetting that inter-area routes also use a default metric of 20 when no cost is explicitly configured.
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 route is an OSPF inter-area route
The output shows 'type inter area' and a metric of 20, which is the default OSPF metric for inter-area routes (type 3 LSAs). The administrative distance of 110 confirms OSPF as the routing protocol. Therefore, the route is an OSPF inter-area route, making option B correct.
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 route is an OSPF intra-area route
Why it's wrong here
In OSPF, an intra-area route is derived from Type 1 or Type 2 LSAs and is listed with the route code 'O' in show ip route output. The routing table snippet explicitly shows 'type inter area' for this prefix, which is the marker for a Type 3 LSA generated by an ABR. Because the output does not say 'intra area' and the route type is explicitly inter-area, calling it an intra-area route is incorrect.
- ✓
The route is an OSPF inter-area route
Why this is correct
The routing table line states 'Known via ospf 1' and includes the route tag 'type inter area', which is unambiguously how Cisco marks OSPF inter-area routes. These routes are propagated between areas via Type 3 summary LSAs, and the ABR advertises the prefix into the current area. This matches the 'inter area' classification exactly, making the route an OSPF inter-area route.
- ✗
The route is an OSPF external route
Why it's wrong here
OSPF external routes are flagged as 'type external' and have an E1 or E2 metric as well as the 'O E1' or 'O E2' route code. They are generated by an ASBR redistributing external networks, using Type 5 or Type 7 LSAs. The output here lacks any external metric marker and explicitly says 'type inter area', so this prefix is not an external OSPF route.
- ✗
The route is learned via EIGRP
Why it's wrong here
This prefix is learned via OSPF because the line 'Known via ospf 1' names the routing protocol and process ID. EIGRP routes are always displayed with 'Known via eigrp' followed by the autonomous system number, and they also use different route types such as internal or external. Since the output clearly points to OSPF as the source, and the route type is inter-area, EIGRP cannot be the originating protocol.
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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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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