The answer is that router 2.2.2.2 is the other endpoint of the virtual link. This is correct because the `show ip ospf virtual-links` command explicitly displays the router ID of the neighbor at the far end of the virtual link, and the output confirms the adjacency state is FULL, meaning the two routers have successfully formed a neighbor relationship across the transit area. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this command tests your ability to interpret OSPF virtual link status and identify the remote endpoint, which is a common troubleshooting scenario when areas are not directly connected to Area 0. A frequent trap is confusing the transit area ID with the endpoint router ID, but the line "to router 2.2.2.2" clearly identifies the remote neighbor. Memory tip: think of "to router" as the destination—just like a highway sign tells you where the road ends, the virtual link output tells you exactly which router ID is on the other side.
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 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
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.
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 virtual link is used to connect area 0 to a non-backbone area.
Why it's wrong here
Virtual links are used to connect a non-backbone area to area 0 through another non-backbone area, not to connect area 0 directly.
✓
Router 2.2.2.2 is the other endpoint of the virtual link.
Why this is correct
The virtual link is to router 2.2.2.2, so that is the remote endpoint.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The virtual link is down.
Why it's wrong here
The output says 'is up' and 'Adjacency State FULL'.
✗
The virtual link uses area 0 as the transit area.
Why it's wrong here
The transit area is area 1, not area 0.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The output says 'is up' and 'Adjacency State FULL'.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Virtual links in OSPF are used to connect a non-backbone area to the backbone area (area 0) when a direct physical connection is missing, using a transit area that has at least one router with a connection to area 0. The 'DoNotAge LSA allowed' and 'Run as demand circuit' indicate that the link is configured as a demand circuit, which suppresses periodic Hello and LSA refreshes to reduce overhead on unstable or costly links.
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: 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.
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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