The answer is an outbound route map that filters these routes. BGP only advertises routes that successfully pass all outbound filtering policies, such as prefix lists or route maps applied to the neighbor; if a route is present in the BGP table but not advertised, it has been blocked by an outbound filter or is not the best path. On the Fortinet NSE 7 Advanced Security NSE7 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of BGP path selection and route advertisement logic, often appearing as a trap where you might mistakenly suspect an inbound filter or a missing network statement. Remember that inbound filters affect what enters the table, while outbound filters control what leaves it. A quick memory tip: "Table yes, advertise no? Check the outbound flow."
NSE7 Troubleshooting and Diagnostics Practice Question
This NSE7 practice question tests your understanding of troubleshooting and diagnostics. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 FortiGate is receiving BGP routes from a neighbor but not advertising them to other peers. The administrator runs 'get router info bgp network' and sees the routes are in the BGP table but not advertised. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
An outbound route map is applied that filters these routes
BGP routes are not advertised unless they pass outbound filtering (prefix lists, route maps) or are not the best path. Additionally, if synchronization is enabled, routes must be in the IGP routing table. The most common cause is a missing or restrictive outbound route map.
Key principle: OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
BGP synchronization is enabled and the routes are not in the IGP
Why it's wrong here
Synchronization is disabled by default in modern configurations.
✓
An outbound route map is applied that filters these routes
Why this is correct
Correct. A route map can selectively permit or deny routes from being advertised.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
If next hop unreachable, the route would not be installed in the BGP table.
✗
The router-id is the same as the peer
Why it's wrong here
Router-id duplicate could cause issues, but not specifically this symptom.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: OSPF can fail even when IP connectivity looks correct
OSPF neighbour formation depends on matching areas, timers, network type, authentication and passive-interface behaviour. Do not choose an answer only because the devices can ping.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
OSPF questions usually test the details that control adjacency and route selection. Read the neighbour state, area, router ID and interface configuration before deciding what is wrong.
KKey Concepts to Remember
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
Router ID selection can affect neighbour relationships and LSDB output.
OSPF cost influences the preferred path.
A route can appear in OSPF information but not become the installed route.
TExam Day Tips
→Check area mismatch first when OSPF adjacency fails.
→Review passive interfaces when a network is advertised but no neighbour forms.
→Use show ip ospf neighbor and show ip route clues carefully.
Key takeaway
OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
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.
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related NSE7 OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
Troubleshooting and Diagnostics — This question tests Troubleshooting and Diagnostics — OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: An outbound route map is applied that filters these routes — BGP routes are not advertised unless they pass outbound filtering (prefix lists, route maps) or are not the best path. Additionally, if synchronization is enabled, routes must be in the IGP routing table. The most common cause is a missing or restrictive outbound route map.
What should I do if I get this NSE7 question wrong?
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related NSE7 OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
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