The correct answer is that the `default-information originate always` command injects a default route into OSPF unconditionally, with a metric of 20 and type E2. This is because the `always` keyword forces the router to advertise a 0.0.0.0/0 route into the OSPF link-state database even if no default route exists in its own routing table, overriding the default behavior that requires a pre-existing default. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this command tests your understanding of OSPF route redistribution and the distinction between conditional and unconditional default injection; a common trap is assuming the router must have a default route first, but `always` bypasses that requirement. Remember the memory tip: “Always advertise, no default needed—E2 metric 20 is the default seed.”
350-401 OSPF Practice Question
This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of ospf. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
Router R3 has the following OSPF configuration:
router ospf 1
What is the effect of the 'default-information originate always' command?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "always"
Why it matters: Absolute qualifier. An answer using 'always' is only correct if there are genuinely no exceptions — absolute statements are often wrong in networking.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
It injects a default route into OSPF unconditionally, with metric 20 and type E2.
The 'default-information originate always' command injects a default route (0.0.0.0/0) into the OSPF link-state database unconditionally, regardless of whether the router itself has a default route in its routing table. The 'always' keyword overrides the default behavior, which requires a pre-existing default route. The metric 20 and metric-type 2 (E2) are explicitly set in the command, making the injected route an external type 2 route with a seed metric of 20.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
It redistributes all connected routes into OSPF.
Why it's wrong here
Redistribution of connected routes requires 'redistribute connected' command.
✗
It injects a default route into OSPF only if a default route is present in the routing table.
Why it's wrong here
The 'always' keyword forces injection even without a default route in the routing table.
✓
It injects a default route into OSPF unconditionally, with metric 20 and type E2.
Why this is correct
The 'always' keyword makes the default route always injected, with specified metric and type.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "always" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
It sets the OSPF router ID to 3.3.3.3 and enables default route filtering.
Why it's wrong here
The router-id is set separately; 'default-information originate' does not filter routes.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between the default behavior (inject only if a default route exists) and the 'always' keyword (unconditional injection), leading candidates to mistakenly think 'always' is required for any default route injection or that it modifies the metric behavior.
Trap categories for this question
Keyword trap
The 'always' keyword forces injection even without a default route in the routing table.
Command / output trap
Redistribution of connected routes requires 'redistribute connected' command.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, OSPF uses Type 5 LSAs (external LSAs) to carry the default route injected by 'default-information originate'. The 'metric-type 2' (E2) means the cost of the default route does not include the internal cost to reach the ASBR, making it a fixed cost from any point in the OSPF domain. In real-world scenarios, this is commonly used on an edge router to provide internet connectivity to an OSPF area, ensuring all routers learn a default path even if the edge router's default route is learned via a non-OSPF protocol like BGP.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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.
OSPF — This question tests OSPF — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: It injects a default route into OSPF unconditionally, with metric 20 and type E2. — The 'default-information originate always' command injects a default route (0.0.0.0/0) into the OSPF link-state database unconditionally, regardless of whether the router itself has a default route in its routing table. The 'always' keyword overrides the default behavior, which requires a pre-existing default route. The metric 20 and metric-type 2 (E2) are explicitly set in the command, making the injected route an external type 2 route with a seed metric of 20.
What should I do if I get this 350-401 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "always". Absolute qualifier. An answer using 'always' is only correct if there are genuinely no exceptions — absolute statements are often wrong in networking.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.