- A
TTL expiration in IP header
Why wrong: TTL prevents packets from looping indefinitely, but is not a routing protocol loop prevention mechanism.
- B
Maximum hop count of 15
Correct: RIP limits the hop count to 15; 16 means unreachable, preventing loops by discarding routes beyond the limit.
- C
DUAL algorithm
Why wrong: DUAL is used by EIGRP, not RIP.
- D
LSA aging
Why wrong: LSA aging is a mechanism in OSPF, not RIP.
Question 1,857 of 2,152
300-410 Device Management Practice Question
This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of device management. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
Which loop prevention mechanism does RIP use to avoid routing loops?
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
✓
Maximum hop count of 15
RIP uses a maximum hop count of 15 to prevent routing loops by ensuring that a route cannot be advertised beyond 15 hops, effectively limiting the propagation of routing information and breaking loops. When a router receives a route with a hop count of 16, it marks the route as unreachable (poison reverse), which stops the loop from continuing. This is a fundamental loop prevention mechanism specific to distance-vector protocols like RIP.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
TTL expiration in IP header
Why it's wrong here
TTL prevents packets from looping indefinitely, but is not a routing protocol loop prevention mechanism.
- ✓
Maximum hop count of 15
Why this is correct
Correct: RIP limits the hop count to 15; 16 means unreachable, preventing loops by discarding routes beyond the limit.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
DUAL algorithm
- ✗
LSA aging
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between loop prevention mechanisms at different layers (e.g., TTL for packet loops vs. hop count for routing loops), and the trap here is that candidates might confuse TTL expiration in the IP header with RIP's hop count limit, thinking both serve the same purpose.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
RIP's maximum hop count of 15 is defined in RFC 1058 and RFC 2453, and it works in conjunction with split horizon and route poisoning to prevent loops. In a real-world scenario, if a network has more than 15 routers in a path, RIP cannot be used, forcing administrators to choose protocols like OSPF or EIGRP. The hop count limit also means RIP is unsuitable for large or complex topologies, as it cannot scale beyond 15 hops.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
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
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 300-410 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
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?
Device Management — This question tests Device Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Maximum hop count of 15 — RIP uses a maximum hop count of 15 to prevent routing loops by ensuring that a route cannot be advertised beyond 15 hops, effectively limiting the propagation of routing information and breaking loops. When a router receives a route with a hop count of 16, it marks the route as unreachable (poison reverse), which stops the loop from continuing. This is a fundamental loop prevention mechanism specific to distance-vector protocols like RIP.
What should I do if I get this 300-410 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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