NSE7 Virtual-Link Practice Question
A network admin configures OSPF on a FortiGate with multiple areas, including one area that is not directly connected to the backbone (Area 0). To ensure that routes from that area are advertised into other areas, which OSPF feature must be properly configured?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap is that candidates may think OSPF route redistribution is needed for inter-area routes, but OSPF internally uses ABRs to automatically generate Type 3 LSAs. Virtual-links are a specific feature to connect isolated areas to the backbone, which is necessary for inter-area routing in such topologies.
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 virtual-link
OSPF virtual-links are used to connect a non-backbone area to the backbone area through a transit area. This ensures that the area has a logical path to the backbone, allowing ABRs to generate Type 3 summary LSAs and advertise routes between areas. Without proper virtual-link configuration, routes from an area not directly connected to the backbone cannot be advertised to other areas.
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 route redistribution
Why it's wrong here
OSPF route redistribution injects external routes into OSPF, but it does not resolve the topology requirement that a non-backbone area must connect to Area 0 through a virtual link. It is tempting because redistribution is genuinely used to advertise routes from other protocols or static routes into OSPF, which is a different scenario entirely.
- ✗
OSPF passive interface
Why it's wrong here
Passive interfaces suppress OSPF hellos and adjacency formation on a segment, so they cannot carry inter-area routes. The feature needed is a virtual link, which logically attaches a disconnected area to Area 0 through a transit area. Passive interfaces suit stub segments where no neighbour is expected.
- ✓
OSPF virtual-link
Why this is correct
An area lacking a direct link to Area 0 must reach the backbone through a virtual link, which tunnels OSPF adjacency across a transit area. This makes the disconnected area appear attached to Area 0, allowing its routes to be advertised into other areas.
- ✗
OSPF network type
Why it's wrong here
The OSPF network type controls adjacency and DR election behaviour on an interface; it does not carry inter-area routes across a non-backbone area. It would be correct when tuning broadcast versus point-to-point adjacencies, whereas a virtual link is needed to connect the discontiguous area to Area 0.
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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.