hardMultiple Choice
350-401 Practice Question: Runs the following command on Router R7: R7# show…
A network engineer runs the following command on Router R7:
R7# show ip ospf virtual-links
Virtual Link OSPF_VL0 to router 2.2.2.2 is up Run as demand circuit DoNotAge LSA allowed. Transit area 1, via interface GigabitEthernet0/1, Cost of using 10 Transmit Delay is 1 sec, State POINT_TO_POINT, Timer intervals configured, Hello 10, Dead 40, Wait 40, Retransmit 5 Hello due in 00:00:07 Adjacency State FULL
Based on this output, what can be concluded?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the misconception that the router ID shown in the virtual link output is the local router's ID, when in fact it is the remote endpoint's router ID, as confirmed by the 'to router' syntax in the command output.
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
✓
Router 2.2.2.2 is the other endpoint of the virtual link.
The output shows that the virtual link OSPF_VL0 to router 2.2.2.2 is up and the adjacency state is FULL. This confirms that router 2.2.2.2 is the remote endpoint of the virtual link, as the command displays the router ID of the neighbor at the other end of the virtual link.
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 virtual link is used to connect area 0 to a non-backbone area.
Why it's wrong here
Virtual links in OSPF do not directly attach area 0 to a non-backbone area; instead, they create a logical path through a transit area so that a non-backbone area can reach the backbone (area 0) when no direct physical connection exists. The statement incorrectly describes the primary purpose, as the virtual link itself extends the backbone across another non-backbone area rather than connecting area 0 itself.
- ✓
Router 2.2.2.2 is the other endpoint of the virtual link.
Why this is correct
The virtual link is identified by the router ID of its remote endpoint, and in the displayed output 'ospf 2a54f7' (likely from 'show ip ospf virtual-links'), the destination is 'router 2.2.2.2'. This means 2.2.2.2 is the neighboring ABR that, together with the local router, forms the virtual adjacency across the transit area. Therefore, stating that 2.2.2.2 is the other endpoint is accurate.
- ✗
The virtual link is down.
Why it's wrong here
The output clearly shows that the virtual link is up and its adjacency state is FULL, which indicates that the two OSPF routers on this virtual link have successfully exchanged database descriptor, LSA, and link-state information. A link that is down would never reach FULL adjacency, so the claim that the virtual link is down directly contradicts the operational state reported by the router. In OSPF, FULL means the routers are fully adjacent and the virtual link is usable.
- ✗
The virtual link uses area 0 as the transit area.
Why it's wrong here
A virtual link must traverse a non-backbone area; in this case, the transit area is area 1, not area 0. Area 0 is the backbone itself, and virtual links are designed precisely to attach a remote non-backbone area to the backbone by passing through another non-backbone area. Using area 0 as a transit area would be nonsensical because the virtual link is meant to extend the backbone, not ride on top of it. The output would indicate 'Transit area 1,' making area 0 the wrong candidate.
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.