The answer is a misconfigured remote AS number on either the FortiGate or its neighbor. This is correct because the BGP Active state indicates that the router has sent a TCP SYN packet to initiate the session but has not received a SYN-ACK response; when the remote AS number does not match what the neighbor expects, the neighbor will reject the TCP connection attempt, keeping the session stuck in Active rather than progressing to OpenSent or Established. On the Fortinet NSE 7 Advanced Security NSE7 exam, this question tests your understanding of BGP state machine transitions and common configuration errors—a frequent trap is assuming IP reachability alone guarantees session establishment, but BGP requires both TCP connectivity and matching AS numbers. Remember the mnemonic: “Active means AS mismatch, not a path issue.”
NSE7 Troubleshooting and Diagnostics Practice Question
This NSE7 practice question tests your understanding of troubleshooting and diagnostics. 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 BGP session between FortiGate and a neighbor is in 'Active' state. The administrator has verified IP connectivity and that the neighbor IP is reachable. 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
✓
The remote AS number is misconfigured on either side
The 'Active' state means the router is trying to initiate a TCP connection but is not receiving a response. Common causes include BGP configuration mismatch, especially the remote AS number.
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 firewall policy is blocking BGP port 179
Why it's wrong here
The administrator verified IP connectivity, but not specifically port 179; however, this is less likely than configuration mismatch.
✓
The remote AS number is misconfigured on either side
Why this is correct
A mismatch in the remote AS number prevents BGP from establishing the session, resulting in 'Active' state.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Hold timer values affect session stability but would not prevent TCP connection establishment.
✗
The BGP network statement is missing
Why it's wrong here
Missing network statement affects route advertisement but not session establishment.
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: The remote AS number is misconfigured on either side — The 'Active' state means the router is trying to initiate a TCP connection but is not receiving a response. Common causes include BGP configuration mismatch, especially the remote AS number.
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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