- A
The OSPF route has an AD of 110, but the RIP route's AD was set to 80, so RIP should be preferred. The issue is that the distance command was applied to the wrong prefix.
Why wrong: This option wrongly assumes that the 'distance' command is applied to the wrong prefix. The command was applied correctly (matching any route), and the issue is not about the prefix match but about OSPF having a lower AD due to its own distance configuration.
- B
The OSPF process has the distance ospf external 70 command configured, lowering the AD of OSPF external routes to 70.
Correct. The 'distance ospf external 70' command under OSPF reduces the AD of OSPF external routes to 70, which is lower than the RIP AD of 80, causing OSPF to still be preferred.
- C
The RIP route is not in the routing table because it is suppressed by a distribute-list.
Why wrong: While a distribute‑list could suppress the RIP route, the question states the RIP route is present but not preferred. The most likely reason is an AD conflict, not route suppression.
- D
The distance command under RIP only affects internal RIP routes, not redistributed routes.
Why wrong: The 'distance' command under RIP does affect internal RIP routes (including redistributed routes) unless explicitly restricted. The command used applies to all routes matching the prefix, so this is not the issue.
300-410 Administrative Distance Practice Question
This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of administrative distance. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. A key principle to apply: administrative Distance. 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 engineer is troubleshooting a situation where R1 has two routes to 10.0.0.0/8: one via OSPF (AD 110) and one via RIP (AD 120). The engineer wants R1 to prefer the RIP route. After configuring the distance 80 0.0.0.0 255.255.255.255 under the RIP process, the RIP route is still not preferred. What is the most likely reason?
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 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
The OSPF process has the distance ospf external 70 command configured, lowering the AD of OSPF external routes to 70.
The engineer configured the 'distance 80 0.0.0.0 255.255.255.255' command under the RIP process to set the administrative distance for RIP routes to 80, expecting RIP to be preferred over OSPF (AD 110). However, OSPF allows per‑route type AD modifications using the 'distance ospf external' command. If OSPF external routes (which include the 10.0.0.0/8 route if it is external) have their AD lowered to 70, OSPF becomes more preferred despite the RIP distance change. This overrides the intended effect, making option B correct.
Key principle: Administrative Distance
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 OSPF route has an AD of 110, but the RIP route's AD was set to 80, so RIP should be preferred. The issue is that the distance command was applied to the wrong prefix.
- ✓
The OSPF process has the distance ospf external 70 command configured, lowering the AD of OSPF external routes to 70.
- ✗
The RIP route is not in the routing table because it is suppressed by a distribute-list.
- ✗
The distance command under RIP only affects internal RIP routes, not redistributed routes.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap is that engineers often assume that setting the AD under the routing protocol being adjusted (RIP) will always take effect, but they overlook that another protocol (OSPF) can also have its AD lowered for specific route types, such as external routes. The 'distance ospf' command allows OSPF to dynamically adjust AD per route type, which can override the intended preference.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
This option wrongly assumes that the 'distance' command is applied to the wrong prefix. The command was applied correctly (matching any route), and the issue is not about the prefix match but about OSPF having a lower AD due to its own distance configuration.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Treat this as a scenario question. Identify the problem, the constraint, and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Administrative Distance
- distance command (RIP)
- distance ospf external command
- Route preference comparison
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Administrative Distance
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.
Visual reference
Quick reference
Routing Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Metric | Max Hops | Algorithm | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIP v2 | Hop count | 15 | Bellman-Ford | Distance vector |
| OSPF | Cost (bandwidth) | Unlimited | Dijkstra (SPF) | Link state |
| EIGRP | Composite metric | Unlimited | DUAL | Hybrid |
| IS-IS | Cost | Unlimited | Dijkstra | Link state |
| BGP | Policy / attributes | Unlimited | Path vector | Path vector |
RIP's 15-hop limit makes it unsuitable for large networks. OSPF and EIGRP dominate modern enterprise deployments.
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 300-410 question test?
Administrative Distance — This question tests Administrative Distance — Administrative Distance.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The OSPF process has the distance ospf external 70 command configured, lowering the AD of OSPF external routes to 70. — The engineer configured the 'distance 80 0.0.0.0 255.255.255.255' command under the RIP process to set the administrative distance for RIP routes to 80, expecting RIP to be preferred over OSPF (AD 110). However, OSPF allows per‑route type AD modifications using the 'distance ospf external' command. If OSPF external routes (which include the 10.0.0.0/8 route if it is external) have their AD lowered to 70, OSPF becomes more preferred despite the RIP distance change. This overrides the intended effect, making option B correct.
What should I do if I get this 300-410 question wrong?
Review administrative Distance, then practise related 300-410 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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?
Administrative Distance
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Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026
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