- A
The spokes must have identical phase2 proposals
Why wrong: Phase2 proposals between spokes are negotiated during shortcut establishment; they don't need to be pre-configured identically.
- B
BGP must be configured on all FortiGates (hub and spokes) to exchange routing information
BGP is used to propagate routes. Each spoke learns the other spoke's subnets via BGP from the hub.
- C
The spokes must use the same IKE version
Why wrong: IKE version is independent of ADVPN shortcut establishment.
- D
The hub must be configured with 'set next-hop-self disable' for the spoke BGP neighbors
To allow spokes to reach each other directly, the hub must not change the next-hop attribute to itself. The next-hop should remain the originating spoke's IP.
- E
The hub must have static routes for each spoke's LAN subnet
Why wrong: Static routes would prevent shortcut establishment; BGP is used instead.
NSE7 Advanced VPN and Zero Trust Practice Question
This NSE7 practice question tests your understanding of advanced vpn and zero trust. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 network administrator is configuring a hub-and-spoke ADVPN with BGP over the VPN tunnels. Which TWO conditions are necessary for the spokes to establish direct shortcut tunnels between each other?
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
BGP must be configured on all FortiGates (hub and spokes) to exchange routing information
Shortcut tunnels require that the hub propagates routes without setting itself as next-hop (next-hop-self disabled), and that spokes have overlapping routing information so they know the other spoke's subnet via BGP. Option A and D are correct: BGP must be configured on all spokes to exchange routes, and the hub must not set next-hop-self so that the next-hop remains the remote spoke's tunnel IP.
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.
- ✗
The spokes must have identical phase2 proposals
Why it's wrong here
Phase2 proposals between spokes are negotiated during shortcut establishment; they don't need to be pre-configured identically.
- ✓
BGP must be configured on all FortiGates (hub and spokes) to exchange routing information
- ✗
The spokes must use the same IKE version
Why it's wrong here
IKE version is independent of ADVPN shortcut establishment.
- ✓
The hub must be configured with 'set next-hop-self disable' for the spoke BGP neighbors
Why this is correct
To allow spokes to reach each other directly, the hub must not change the next-hop attribute to itself. The next-hop should remain the originating spoke's IP.
Related concept
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
- ✗
The hub must have static routes for each spoke's LAN subnet
Why it's wrong here
Static routes would prevent shortcut establishment; BGP is used instead.
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.
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Advanced VPN and Zero Trust — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this NSE7 question test?
Advanced VPN and Zero Trust — This question tests Advanced VPN and Zero Trust — OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: BGP must be configured on all FortiGates (hub and spokes) to exchange routing information — Shortcut tunnels require that the hub propagates routes without setting itself as next-hop (next-hop-self disabled), and that spokes have overlapping routing information so they know the other spoke's subnet via BGP. Option A and D are correct: BGP must be configured on all spokes to exchange routes, and the hub must not set next-hop-self so that the next-hop remains the remote spoke's tunnel IP.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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.
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