mediumMultiple Choice
350-401 Practice Question: Interface GigabitEthernet0/0 ip address 10.0.0.1…
interface GigabitEthernet0/0 ip address 10.0.0.1 255.255.255.252 ip ospf network point-to-multipoint ip ospf hello-interval 30
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router ospf 1 network 10.0.0.0 0.0.0.3 area 0
What is the effect of this configuration?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the default hello intervals for different OSPF network types, and the trap here is that candidates mistakenly assume a 10-second hello interval (which is the default for broadcast and point-to-point networks) applies to point-to-multipoint, or that point-to-multipoint still requires DR/BDR election.
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
✓
OSPF will use a 30-second hello interval and form adjacencies with all neighbors without DR/BDR election.
The configuration sets the OSPF network type to point-to-multipoint, which by default uses a 30-second hello interval and does not perform DR/BDR election. The explicit 'ip ospf hello-interval 30' command confirms this interval, overriding any default. Therefore, OSPF will form adjacencies with all neighbors without electing a DR/BDR.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
OSPF will use a 30-second hello interval and form adjacencies with all neighbors without DR/BDR election.
Why this is correct
In point-to-multipoint mode, OSPF treats each remote router as if connected by a separate point-to-point link, so a DR/BDR election is unnecessary and never occurs. The default hello interval for this network type is 30 seconds, and full adjacencies are formed with every neighbor individually. This allows the network to function correctly over non-broadcast multipoint topologies like Frame Relay or DMVPN without relying on a central hub-and-spoke election process.
- ✗
OSPF will use a 10-second hello interval and elect a DR/BDR.
Why it's wrong here
This combination of a 10-second hello interval and DR/BDR election is characteristic of the broadcast network type, where OSPF elects a Designated Router and Backup Designated Router to reduce adjacencies on a shared Ethernet segment. Point-to-multipoint networks, however, do not use DR/BDR at all and instead build direct adjacencies to each neighbor. Additionally, the default hello interval for point-to-multipoint is 30 seconds, not 10, so both the timing and the election mechanism are incorrect.
- ✗
OSPF will use a 30-second hello interval and elect a DR/BDR.
Why it's wrong here
This option correctly identifies the 30-second hello interval, but incorrectly includes DR/BDR election. The 30-second hello and DR/BDR behavior is actually the default for the NBMA (Non-Broadcast Multi-Access) network type, which models a physical frame relay cloud as a single multi-access segment. Point-to-multipoint deliberately avoids DR/BDR because it represents each PVC or tunnel as a virtual point-to-point link, so no router is elected to act as a central spokesperson for the segment. Thus, the hello timer matches but the election portion does not.
- ✗
OSPF will use a 10-second hello interval and form adjacencies with all neighbors without DR/BDR.
Why it's wrong here
A 10-second hello interval without DR/BDR election is the default for the point-to-point network type, where only two routers share a link and a full adjacency is built directly. This is not what point-to-multipoint does: point-to-multipoint uses a 30-second hello timer, not 10 seconds, even though it also forgoes DR/BDR. So while the 'no DR/BDR' part is correct, the hello interval is wrong, making the entire statement inaccurate for this scenario.
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.