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OSPF →mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The answer is that the route to 10.3.3.0/24 is an OSPF external type E2 route, identified by the "O E2" code in the show ip route ospf output. This designation confirms the route was redistributed into OSPF from another routing protocol or process, and the E2 type specifically means the metric is fixed and does not include the internal cost to the ASBR. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this tests your ability to read OSPF route codes and distinguish between E1 and E2 external routes—a common trap is assuming E2 routes have a higher cost, but they actually ignore the internal path cost, making them preferred for stability. The key memory tip is that "E2" stands for "External, fixed cost," so the metric you see is the final metric, unlike E1 which adds the internal cost along the way.

350-401 OSPF Practice Question

This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of ospf. 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 R3:

R3# show ip route ospf

Codes: L - local, C - connected, S - static, R - RIP, M - mobile, B - BGP D - EIGRP, EX - EIGRP external, O - OSPF, IA - OSPF inter area N1 - OSPF NSSA external type 1, N2 - OSPF NSSA external type 2 E1 - OSPF external type 1, E2 - OSPF external type 2 i - IS-IS, su - IS-IS summary, L1 - IS-IS level-1, L2 - IS-IS level-2 ia - IS-IS inter area, * - candidate default, U - per-user static route o - ODR, P - periodic downloaded static route, H - NHRP, l - LISP a - application route + - replicated route, % - next hop override

Gateway of last resort is not set

10.0.0.0/8 is variably subnetted, 5 subnets, 3 masks

O IA 10.1.1.0/24 [110/20] via 192.168.1.1, 00:12:34, GigabitEthernet0/0

O        10.2.2.0/24 [110/10] via 192.168.1.2, 00:15:22, GigabitEthernet0/0

O E2 10.3.3.0/24 [110/20] via 192.168.1.3, 00:08:11, GigabitEthernet0/0

Based on this output, what can be concluded?

Question 1mediummultiple choice
Review the full OSPF breakdown →

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 to 10.3.3.0/24 is an external route redistributed into OSPF.

The route to 10.3.3.0/24 is marked as 'O E2' in the output, which stands for OSPF external type 2. This indicates that the route was redistributed into OSPF from another routing protocol or a different OSPF process, making it an external route. The 'E2' designation confirms it is an external route with a fixed metric that does not include the internal cost to the ASBR.

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.

  • ✓

    The route to 10.3.3.0/24 is an external route redistributed into OSPF.

    Why this is correct

    O E2 indicates an OSPF external route of type 2, typically redistributed from another routing protocol.

    Related concept

    Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

  • ✗

    The route to 10.1.1.0/24 is in the same OSPF area as R3.

    Why it's wrong here

    IA means inter-area, so it is from a different area.

  • ✗

    The metric for 10.3.3.0/24 includes the internal cost to the ASBR.

    Why it's wrong here

    E2 routes do not include internal cost; the metric shown is the external cost only.

  • ✗

    R3 is an ASBR.

    Why it's wrong here

    There is no indication that R3 is redistributing routes; it is receiving external routes.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

Cisco often tests the difference between OSPF external type 1 (E1) and type 2 (E2) routes, specifically that E2 routes do not include the internal cost to the ASBR, which is a common misconception that leads candidates to incorrectly select option C.

Trap categories for this question

  • Command / output trap

    E2 routes do not include internal cost; the metric shown is the external cost only.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

OSPF external routes are redistributed into OSPF by an Autonomous System Boundary Router (ASBR). Type 2 (E2) routes use a fixed external metric that remains constant across the OSPF domain, while Type 1 (E1) routes add the internal cost to the ASBR to the external metric. This distinction is critical for path selection in multi-homed OSPF networks, as E2 routes are preferred by default unless the cost to the ASBR becomes a tiebreaker.

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.

What to study next

Got this wrong? Here's your next step.

Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this 350-401 question test?

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: The route to 10.3.3.0/24 is an external route redistributed into OSPF. — The route to 10.3.3.0/24 is marked as 'O E2' in the output, which stands for OSPF external type 2. This indicates that the route was redistributed into OSPF from another routing protocol or a different OSPF process, making it an external route. The 'E2' designation confirms it is an external route with a fixed metric that does not include the internal cost to the ASBR.

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.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026

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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.