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Question 294 of 2,015
Network Assurance →mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The answer is External Type 2 (E2). This is the correct OSPF default route type because when a default route (0.0.0.0/0) is redistributed into OSPF from a static route or another protocol, OSPF automatically assigns it an E2 metric by default, which means the route’s cost does not include the internal path cost to the ASBR. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this concept tests your understanding of OSPF route types and redistribution behavior, often appearing in exhibit-based questions where you must distinguish E2 from NSSA or inter-area routes. A common trap is confusing E2 with E1; remember that E1 adds internal cost, while E2 does not. For a quick memory tip: think of the “2” in E2 as “stays the same” — the metric remains unchanged regardless of how far you are from the ASBR.

350-401 Network Assurance Practice Question

This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of network assurance. 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.

Exhibit

Refer to the exhibit.

R1# show ip route
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 10.0.0.2 to network 0.0.0.0

O*E2 0.0.0.0/0 [110/1] via 10.0.0.2, 00:00:23, GigabitEthernet0/0
      10.0.0.0/8 is variably subnetted, 2 subnets, 2 masks
C        10.0.0.0/30 is directly connected, GigabitEthernet0/0
L        10.0.0.1/32 is directly connected, GigabitEthernet0/0
      192.168.1.0/24 is variably subnetted, 2 subnets, 2 masks
O        192.168.1.0/24 [110/2] via 10.0.0.2, 00:00:23, GigabitEthernet0/0
O        192.168.1.1/32 [110/2] via 10.0.0.2, 00:00:23, GigabitEthernet0/0

Refer to the exhibit. Which OSPF route type is the default route?

Question 1mediummultiple choice
Review the full OSPF breakdown →

Exhibit

Refer to the exhibit.

R1# show ip route
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 10.0.0.2 to network 0.0.0.0

O*E2 0.0.0.0/0 [110/1] via 10.0.0.2, 00:00:23, GigabitEthernet0/0
      10.0.0.0/8 is variably subnetted, 2 subnets, 2 masks
C        10.0.0.0/30 is directly connected, GigabitEthernet0/0
L        10.0.0.1/32 is directly connected, GigabitEthernet0/0
      192.168.1.0/24 is variably subnetted, 2 subnets, 2 masks
O        192.168.1.0/24 [110/2] via 10.0.0.2, 00:00:23, GigabitEthernet0/0
O        192.168.1.1/32 [110/2] via 10.0.0.2, 00:00:23, GigabitEthernet0/0

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

✓

External type 2 (E2)

The exhibit shows a default route (0.0.0.0/0) being redistributed into OSPF from another routing protocol or static route. By default, OSPF redistributes routes as External Type 2 (E2), meaning the metric does not include the internal cost to the ASBR. The route is not an NSSA type because the area is not configured as a not-so-stubby area, and it is not an inter-area route because it originates outside the OSPF domain.

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.

  • ✓

    External type 2 (E2)

    Why this is correct

    Option B is correct because O*E2 indicates OSPF external type 2.

    Related concept

    Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

  • ✗

    Inter-area (IA)

    Why it's wrong here

    Option D is wrong because inter-area routes are shown as O IA.

  • ✗

    NSSA external type 2 (N2)

    Why it's wrong here

    Option C is wrong because N2 would be for NSSA areas.

  • ✗

    External type 1 (E1)

    Why it's wrong here

    Option A is wrong because the output shows E2, not E1.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

Cisco often tests the default OSPF metric type for redistributed routes (E2) and the fact that a default route can be an external route, not just an inter-area or NSSA type, leading candidates to confuse it with N2 or IA when the area type is not explicitly stated.

Trap categories for this question

  • Command / output trap

    Option D is wrong because inter-area routes are shown as O IA.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

When OSPF redistributes a default route, it generates a Type 5 LSA (AS-external LSA) with the E2 bit set by default. The E2 metric remains constant across the OSPF domain, while E1 metrics accumulate internal cost, making E2 preferable for simplicity in many designs. In real-world scenarios, E2 is often used for default routes pointing to a border router, as it avoids metric inflation across large networks.

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?

Network Assurance — This question tests Network Assurance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: External type 2 (E2) — The exhibit shows a default route (0.0.0.0/0) being redistributed into OSPF from another routing protocol or static route. By default, OSPF redistributes routes as External Type 2 (E2), meaning the metric does not include the internal cost to the ASBR. The route is not an NSSA type because the area is not configured as a not-so-stubby area, and it is not an inter-area route because it originates outside the OSPF domain.

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 11, 2026

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