The answer is that the `ip ospf network point-to-point` command eliminates the DR/BDR election process on that interface. This occurs because changing the OSPF network type from the default broadcast to point-to-point tells OSPF that only two routers will ever exist on that link, making a designated router unnecessary since there is no multi-access environment requiring a central point for database synchronization. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this command tests your understanding of how OSPF adapts its behavior to different network types, with a common trap being that candidates forget the hello timer also drops from 10 seconds (broadcast) to 10 seconds (point-to-point) — actually, both default to 10 seconds, but the dead timer changes to 40 seconds. A reliable memory tip is "P2P = No DR, No BDR, just two peers," and remember that the `ip ospf network point-to-point` command overrides the default Ethernet behavior, so you never see a DR/BDR in `show ip ospf neighbor` output for that interface.
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 R1 has the following OSPF configuration:
interface GigabitEthernet0/0
ip address 10.1.1.1 255.255.255.0
ip ospf 1 area 0
ip ospf network point-to-point
!
router ospf 1
router-id 1.1.1.1
network 10.0.0.0 0.255.255.255 area 0
What is the effect of the 'ip ospf network point-to-point' command on this interface?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
It changes the OSPF network type to point-to-point, eliminating DR/BDR election and reducing hello timer to 10 seconds.
The 'ip ospf network point-to-point' command changes the OSPF network type on the interface from the default (broadcast for Ethernet) to point-to-point. This eliminates the need for a Designated Router (DR) and Backup Designated Router (BDR) election, as point-to-point links have only two neighbors. Additionally, the OSPF hello timer on a point-to-point network defaults to 10 seconds (versus 30 seconds for non-broadcast), and the dead timer is 40 seconds.
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 disables OSPF on the interface.
Why it's wrong here
This command does not disable OSPF; it changes the network type.
✓
It changes the OSPF network type to point-to-point, eliminating DR/BDR election and reducing hello timer to 10 seconds.
Why this is correct
Point-to-point network type removes DR/BDR election and uses 10-second hello and 40-second dead timers.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
It enables OSPF authentication on the interface.
Why it's wrong here
Authentication is configured separately with 'ip ospf authentication-key' or 'ip ospf message-digest-key'.
✗
It sets the OSPF cost to 1.
Why it's wrong here
Cost is set with 'ip ospf cost' or derived from bandwidth; this command does not set cost.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that 'ip ospf network point-to-point' disables OSPF or changes timers to 30 seconds, when in fact it eliminates DR/BDR and sets hello to 10 seconds.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
This command does not disable OSPF; it changes the network type.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
On a point-to-point OSPF network, routers form adjacency without DR/BDR election, which reduces convergence time and control-plane overhead. The hello and dead timers are fixed at 10 and 40 seconds respectively, regardless of the 'ip ospf hello-interval' default. In real-world scenarios, this command is often used on Ethernet links that are logically point-to-point (e.g., between two routers) to avoid unnecessary DR/BDR election and speed up neighbor discovery.
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 changes the OSPF network type to point-to-point, eliminating DR/BDR election and reducing hello timer to 10 seconds. — The 'ip ospf network point-to-point' command changes the OSPF network type on the interface from the default (broadcast for Ethernet) to point-to-point. This eliminates the need for a Designated Router (DR) and Backup Designated Router (BDR) election, as point-to-point links have only two neighbors. Additionally, the OSPF hello timer on a point-to-point network defaults to 10 seconds (versus 30 seconds for non-broadcast), and the dead timer is 40 seconds.
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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