The answer is to disable route redistribution from OSPF into the VPN tunnel interface on the hub. When the hub redistributes OSPF routes learned from one spoke back into the VPN tunnel, it provides a direct path via the hub, which prevents the spokes from seeing each other as reachable only through a shortcut; ADVPN shortcut establishment relies on the hub not advertising these routes, so the spokes trigger an IKE shortcut to build a direct tunnel. On the Fortinet NSE 7 Advanced Security NSE7 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how ADVPN’s auto-discovery-sender interacts with dynamic routing—a common trap is leaving redistribution enabled, thinking it helps convergence, when it actually kills shortcut formation. Remember the mnemonic: “No redistribution, no hub detour—shortcuts need silence from the center.”
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 FortiGate administrator configures a hub-and-spoke VPN with OSPF routing. The spoke FortiGates are learning routes from the hub, but inter-spoke traffic is being routed through the hub instead of using shortcut tunnels. What configuration is missing on the hub to allow ADVPN shortcut establishment?
Set the VPN interface type to 'tunnel' instead of 'vlan'
Why wrong: Interface type doesn't affect ADVPN.
B
Disable route redistribution from OSPF into the VPN tunnel interface on the hub
If the hub redistributes routes between spokes, traffic will always go through hub. ADVPN requires that OSPF does not redistribute; shortcuts are triggered by IKE.
C
Enable 'auto-discovery-sender' on the hub and 'auto-discovery-forwarder' on spokes
Why wrong: 'auto-discovery-forwarder' is not a valid setting; spokes use 'auto-discovery-receiver'.
D
Configure a static route for inter-spoke traffic on the hub
Why wrong: Static routes would make traffic hub-dependent, not shortcut.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Disable route redistribution from OSPF into the VPN tunnel interface on the hub
For ADVPN to work, the hub must have 'auto-discovery-sender' enabled and also must not redistribute spoke routes back to other spokes in a way that prevents shortcut. Typically, the hub should not redistribute OSPF routes learned from one spoke into another; ADVPN relies on IKE shortcuts.
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.
✗
Set the VPN interface type to 'tunnel' instead of 'vlan'
Why it's wrong here
Interface type doesn't affect ADVPN.
✓
Disable route redistribution from OSPF into the VPN tunnel interface on the hub
Why this is correct
If the hub redistributes routes between spokes, traffic will always go through hub. ADVPN requires that OSPF does not redistribute; shortcuts are triggered by IKE.
Enable 'auto-discovery-sender' on the hub and 'auto-discovery-forwarder' on spokes
Why it's wrong here
'auto-discovery-forwarder' is not a valid setting; spokes use 'auto-discovery-receiver'.
✗
Configure a static route for inter-spoke traffic on the hub
Why it's wrong here
Static routes would make traffic hub-dependent, not shortcut.
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.
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: Disable route redistribution from OSPF into the VPN tunnel interface on the hub — For ADVPN to work, the hub must have 'auto-discovery-sender' enabled and also must not redistribute spoke routes back to other spokes in a way that prevents shortcut. Typically, the hub should not redistribute OSPF routes learned from one spoke into another; ADVPN relies on IKE shortcuts.
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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