Troubleshooting OSPF Redistribution with Route Map
A FortiGate is configured with OSPF in a multi-area design. An administrator needs to redistribute static routes from another router into OSPF on the FortiGate, but only for prefixes that match a route map. The administrator has configured 'config router ospf' with 'redistribute static route-map RM_STATIC'. However, the static routes are not appearing in the OSPF database. Which THREE troubleshooting steps should the administrator take?
Quick Answer
The answer is to confirm that 'redistribute' is configured under the OSPF process, verify the route map exists with correct match conditions, and check that the static routes are actually being redistributed. This is correct because OSPF redistribution requires the redistribute command to be placed within the 'config router ospf' block at the process level, not under a separate router context, and the route map must be properly defined with matching prefixes or tags to filter the static routes. On the Fortinet NSE 7 Advanced Security NSE7 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of OSPF route redistribution mechanics and the common pitfall of misplacing the redistribute statement, which is a frequent trap for administrators who assume it can be applied under a different routing process. A useful memory tip is "Process, Map, Check"—ensure the redistribute command is in the OSPF process, the route map exists and matches, and then verify the routes appear in the OSPF database to confirm successful redistribution.
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates assume 'redistribute static' alone works without a route map, or they confuse OSPF database verification commands (like 'get router info ospf route') with routing table commands, leading them to miss the need for a valid route map and proper command placement.
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
✓
Verify that the route map 'RM_STATIC' exists and has appropriate match and set statements
If the route map 'RM_STATIC' does not exist or lacks proper match/set statements, OSPF will not redistribute any static routes. The 'redistribute static route-map RM_STATIC' command requires a valid route map to filter prefixes; without it, redistribution silently fails.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Verify that OSPF is enabled on at least one interface (config router ospf -> network)
Why it's wrong here
OSPF must have an active interface, but if it's already communicating, this is likely fine.
- ✓
Verify that the route map 'RM_STATIC' exists and has appropriate match and set statements
Why this is correct
If the route map doesn't exist or lacks match conditions, redistribution fails.
- ✗
Check if a prefix-list is applied that filters the redistributed routes
Why it's wrong here
While possible, the route-map is the specified filter; prefix-list is not mentioned.
- ✓
Run 'get router info ospf route' to see the redistributed routes in the routing table
Why this is correct
This shows whether the routes are being installed, confirming redistribution.
- ✓
Confirm that 'redistribute' is configured under the OSPF process, not just under the router
Why this is correct
The redistribute command must be under 'config router ospf'.
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Same concept, more angles
2 more ways this is tested on NSE7
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A FortiGate is configured with OSPF multi-area. The administrator wants to redistribute a static route into OSPF area 0 and ensure it is propagated to all areas. Which THREE steps are required? (Choose three.)
hard- A.Set the OSPF network type to point-to-multipoint
- ✓ B.Ensure the static route has a valid next-hop and is in the routing table
- ✓ C.Configure 'redistribute static' under OSPF router configuration
- D.Disable OSPF on all interfaces to prevent loops
- ✓ E.Configure a route map to set the metric type to E1
Why B: OSPF can only redistribute routes that are present in the routing table. If the static route is not valid (e.g., missing next-hop or interface down), it will not be installed, and redistribution will fail. The 'redistribute static' command under OSPF router configuration (Option C) is the fundamental step to inject the route into OSPF. A route map with metric type E1 (Option E) is required to ensure the redistributed route is advertised as an external type 1 (E1) metric, which carries the internal cost to the ASBR, allowing proper path selection across all areas.
Variation 2. A FortiGate is in a multi-area OSPF environment. The administrator needs to redistribute connected routes from area 1 into OSPF. Which THREE steps are required? (Choose three.)
hard- A.Configure the connected interfaces as OSPF passive interfaces.
- ✓ B.Configure 'redistribute connected' under the OSPF configuration.
- ✓ C.Create a route map to filter which connected routes are redistributed.
- ✓ D.Set the 'redistribute connected' metric and metric-type.
- E.Enable 'default-information originate' to advertise a default route.
Why B: The 'redistribute connected' command under OSPF configuration is the fundamental step to inject connected routes into the OSPF domain. Without this command, OSPF will not advertise any connected routes that are not already part of an OSPF-enabled interface.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This NSE7 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Fortinet 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 NSE7 exam.