mediumMultiple Choice
350-401 Practice Question: Review the following OSPF configuration: router…
Review the following OSPF configuration:
router ospf 1 network 192.168.1.0 0.0.0.255 area 0 network 10.0.0.0 0.255.255.255 area 1
default-information originate always metric 20 metric-type 1 !
What is the effect of the 'default-information originate always metric 20 metric-type 1' command?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between 'default-information originate' (conditional) and 'default-information originate always' (unconditional), and the difference between metric-type 1 (E1) and metric-type 2 (E2), to see if candidates understand the exact behavior of each keyword.
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
✓
It injects a default route into OSPF unconditionally, with metric 20 and type E1.
The 'default-information originate always' command injects a default route into the OSPF link-state database unconditionally, even if no default route exists in the routing table. The 'metric 20' sets the OSPF cost to 20, and 'metric-type 1' makes it an E1 (Type 1) external route, meaning the metric includes the internal cost to the ASBR plus the external cost.
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 injects a default route into OSPF only if a default route exists in the routing table, with metric 20 and type E1.
Why it's wrong here
It omits the 'always' keyword, which is the defining feature of the command being described. In Cisco IOS, 'default-information originate always' advertises a default route into OSPF even if no default route exists in the routing table. Without 'always', injection would be conditional on an existing default route, but the question specifies unconditional injection. The metric 20 and type E1 are correct parameters, but the conditional nature makes this choice false.
- ✓
It injects a default route into OSPF unconditionally, with metric 20 and type E1.
Why this is correct
This is the correct behavior for the OSPF 'default-information originate always' command. The 'always' keyword forces the router to originate and advertise a default route unconditionally, regardless of whether a default route is present in its routing table. The metric 20 and metric-type 1 specify that the route is advertised as an external type 1 (E1) route, which includes the cumulative internal cost to the ASBR. This matches the command syntax 'default-information originate always metric 20 metric-type 1'.
- ✗
It injects a default route into OSPF with metric 20 and type E2, but only if a default route exists.
Why it's wrong here
It specifies type E2, whereas the question states metric-type 1, which results in an E1 external route. E1 routes add the internal OSPF cost to the external metric, making the total metric path-dependent, unlike E2 routes which use only the external metric. Additionally, the option incorrectly requires an existing default route, but the 'always' keyword removes that condition, enabling unconditional advertisement. Thus, both the metric type and the condition are incorrect.
- ✗
It injects a default route into OSPF with metric 20 and type E1, but only for area 0.
Why it's wrong here
This option erroneously limits the injection to area 0. OSPF 'default-information originate' creates an external Type 5 LSA that is flooded throughout the entire OSPF autonomous system, not just the backbone area. ABRs propagate this default route into all attached non-backbone areas, so it is available across the whole domain. The area 0 restriction is invalid because the default route is intended to be domain-wide unless specific filtering is applied.
Visual reference
Quick reference
Routing Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Metric | Max Hops | Algorithm | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIP v2 | Hop count | 15 | Bellman-Ford | Distance vector |
| OSPF | Cost (bandwidth) | Unlimited | Dijkstra (SPF) | Link state |
| EIGRP | Composite metric | Unlimited | DUAL | Hybrid |
| IS-IS | Cost | Unlimited | Dijkstra | Link state |
| BGP | Policy / attributes | Unlimited | Path vector | Path vector |
RIP's 15-hop limit makes it unsuitable for large networks. OSPF and EIGRP dominate modern enterprise deployments.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.