The answer is that the route is an OSPF inter-area route, as confirmed by the “type inter area” designation in the show ip route output. This classification occurs because the destination 192.168.2.0/24 resides in a different OSPF area than Router R1, and the metric of 20 matches the default cost for OSPF inter-area routes, which are advertised by an Area Border Router (ABR) as Type 3 summary LSAs. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this command tests your ability to interpret routing table flags and distinguish between intra-area (O), inter-area (O IA), and external (O E1/E2) route types. A common trap is confusing the metric value: inter-area routes always show a metric that includes the cost from the ABR to the destination, while intra-area routes typically have a lower metric. Remember the memory tip: “Inter-area means the route crossed an ABR, so look for the ‘O IA’ code or the phrase ‘type inter area’ in the detailed output.”
350-401 NetFlow and Telemetry Practice Question
This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of netflow and telemetry. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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.
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:
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 a specific route in the routing table. The route is learned via OSPF, with a metric of 20, and is an inter-area route (type inter area). The next hop is 10.0.0.2 via GigabitEthernet0/0. The correct answer is that the route is an OSPF inter-area route.
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.
✗
The route is an OSPF intra-area route
Why it's wrong here
Intra-area routes are type 'intra area', not 'inter area'.
✓
The route is an OSPF inter-area route
Why this is correct
The output explicitly states 'type inter area', indicating it is an inter-area route.
External routes are type 'external' and have a different metric type (E1 or E2).
✗
The route is learned via EIGRP
Why it's wrong here
The output shows 'Known via ospf 1', so it is OSPF, not EIGRP.
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
The output shows 'Known via ospf 1', so it is OSPF, not EIGRP.
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 350-401 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 350-401 OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
NetFlow and Telemetry — This question tests NetFlow and Telemetry — OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The route is an OSPF inter-area route — The output shows a specific route in the routing table. The route is learned via OSPF, with a metric of 20, and is an inter-area route (type inter area). The next hop is 10.0.0.2 via GigabitEthernet0/0. The correct answer is that the route is an OSPF inter-area route.
What should I do if I get this 350-401 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 350-401 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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