- A
Bandwidth
Why wrong: Bandwidth is enabled by default (K1=1).
- B
Delay
Why wrong: Delay is enabled by default (K3=1).
- C
Reliability
Reliability is disabled by default (K2=0).
- D
MTU
Why wrong: MTU is not used in the metric calculation; it is only used for feasibility checks. The K values for MTU are always 0.
Question 1,537 of 2,152
EIGRP Default Metric Components
This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of device management. 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.
Which EIGRP metric component is disabled by default?
Quick Answer
The answer is reliability. EIGRP’s default metric components include bandwidth, delay, reliability, load, and MTU, but by default only bandwidth and delay are active because their K values (K1 and K3) are set to 1, while the K values for reliability (K2) and load (K5) are set to 0, effectively disabling them. This design simplifies the metric calculation for most networks, as bandwidth and delay are stable, predictable values, whereas reliability and load fluctuate dynamically and could cause route flapping if included. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this concept often appears in questions about EIGRP metric tuning or troubleshooting suboptimal paths, with a common trap being that candidates assume all five components are active by default. A reliable memory tip is to remember the default K‑value sequence as 1‑0‑1‑0‑0, which corresponds to bandwidth, reliability, delay, load, and MTU—only the first and third positions are enabled.
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
✓
Reliability
C is correct because EIGRP uses a composite metric based on bandwidth, delay, reliability, and load, but reliability and load are disabled by default. Reliability is a dynamic metric that reflects the link's error rate; it is not used in the default metric calculation to ensure stability and avoid route flapping. Only bandwidth and delay are enabled by default, as configured via the 'metric weights' command (default: 0 1 0 1 0 0).
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.
- ✗
Bandwidth
Why it's wrong here
Bandwidth is enabled by default (K1=1).
- ✗
Delay
Why it's wrong here
Delay is enabled by default (K3=1).
- ✓
Reliability
Why this is correct
Reliability is disabled by default (K2=0).
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
MTU
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that MTU is a metric component because it appears in the 'show interface' output alongside delay and reliability, but MTU is never used in the EIGRP metric calculation.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The EIGRP metric formula is: metric = [K1 * bandwidth + (K2 * bandwidth) / (256 - load) + K3 * delay] * [K5 / (reliability + K4)]. By default, K1=1, K3=1, and K2=K4=K5=0, so only bandwidth and delay contribute. Reliability (K4, K5) is disabled to prevent transient link errors from causing frequent route recalculations; enabling it can lead to instability in networks with variable link quality, such as wireless or satellite links.
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.
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: Reliability — C is correct because EIGRP uses a composite metric based on bandwidth, delay, reliability, and load, but reliability and load are disabled by default. Reliability is a dynamic metric that reflects the link's error rate; it is not used in the default metric calculation to ensure stability and avoid route flapping. Only bandwidth and delay are enabled by default, as configured via the 'metric weights' command (default: 0 1 0 1 0 0).
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on 300-410
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. What is the default EIGRP composite metric formula used for route calculation?
medium- A.metric = bandwidth + delay + load + reliability
- ✓ B.metric = (K1 * bandwidth) + (K3 * delay)
- C.metric = bandwidth + delay + MTU
- D.metric = (K1 * bandwidth) + (K2 * load) + (K3 * delay) + (K5 / (K4 + reliability))
Why B: The default EIGRP composite metric uses only K1 and K3, which correspond to bandwidth and delay, with K1=1 and K3=1 by default. This yields the formula metric = bandwidth + delay, where bandwidth is calculated as (10^7 / minimum path bandwidth in kbps) * 256 and delay is the sum of interface delays in tens of microseconds multiplied by 256. Option B correctly represents this default behavior.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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