The answer is to enable 'set auto-discovery-sender' on both spokes' phase 1 interfaces. This configuration is correct because ADVPN shortcuts rely on the spoke acting as a sender to initiate dynamic tunnel setup; without it, the hub continues to forward traffic between spokes, and OSPF over the overlay will always install the hub's tunnel IP as the next-hop for remote spoke routes. On the Fortinet NSE 7 Advanced Security NSE7 exam, this question tests your understanding of how ADVPN interacts with OSPF in a hub-and-spoke topology—specifically that OSPF’s default behavior does not automatically trigger shortcut creation, and the auto-discovery-sender setting is the key to enabling direct spoke-to-spoke communication. A common trap is thinking OSPF route redistribution or metric manipulation alone will fix the next-hop issue, but the real solution lies in the phase 1 ADVPN shortcut configuration. Memory tip: "Spokes send the shortcut—auto-discovery-sender on both ends."
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.
In a hub-and-spoke VPN using OSPF over the overlay, the hub FortiGate learns routes from spoke1 and advertises them to spoke2. However, spoke2's routing table shows the route with a next-hop of the hub's tunnel IP, not spoke1's tunnel IP. What should the administrator configure to allow spoke2 to reach spoke1 directly (using ADVPN shortcut)?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable 'set auto-discovery-sender' on both spokes' phase 1
To enable direct spoke-to-spoke communication, ADVPN must be enabled and the OSPF configuration should not prevent the shortcut.
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.
✗
Increase the OSPF metric on the hub's loopback interface
Why it's wrong here
Changing metrics does not trigger shortcut tunnels.
✗
Configure the hub as an OSPF route reflector
Why it's wrong here
Route reflection is not related to ADVPN shortcut negotiation.
✓
Enable 'set auto-discovery-sender' on both spokes' phase 1
Why this is correct
Spokes must be configured as auto-discovery senders to initiate shortcut tunnels.
Disable OSPF on the hub and use static routes instead
Why it's wrong here
OSPF is not the issue; ADVPN works with dynamic routing.
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: Enable 'set auto-discovery-sender' on both spokes' phase 1 — To enable direct spoke-to-spoke communication, ADVPN must be enabled and the OSPF configuration should not prevent the shortcut.
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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Question Discussion
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