- A
The second client has a route from another protocol (e.g., OSPF) with a lower administrative distance for the same prefix, so BGP route is not installed.
Administrative distance is used to select the best route when multiple protocols provide the same prefix; a lower AD wins.
- B
The route reflector does not set the next-hop-self, so the next-hop is unreachable from the second client.
Why wrong: While next-hop unreachability is a common issue, the scenario specifies that the second client has a route from another protocol, indicating AD is the issue.
- C
The route reflector is not configured as a client on the second router.
Why wrong: The scenario states the route reflector is configured with two clients.
- D
The BGP synchronization rule is enabled and the prefix is not in the IGP.
Why wrong: Synchronization is disabled by default in modern IOS versions.
300-410 Device Management Practice Question
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.
An engineer configures a BGP route reflector with two clients. One client advertises a prefix to the route reflector. The route reflector reflects the prefix to the other client, but the second client does not install it in its routing table. The second client has a lower administrative distance for the same prefix from another protocol. Which is the most likely explanation?
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 second client has a route from another protocol (e.g., OSPF) with a lower administrative distance for the same prefix, so BGP route is not installed.
The correct answer is A because a router installs only the best route for a given prefix based on administrative distance (AD) when multiple routing protocols provide routes. BGP has a default AD of 20 for eBGP and 200 for iBGP, while OSPF has an AD of 110. Since OSPF has a lower AD, the OSPF route is preferred and installed in the routing table, causing the BGP-learned prefix to be ignored even though it was successfully reflected.
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.
- ✓
The second client has a route from another protocol (e.g., OSPF) with a lower administrative distance for the same prefix, so BGP route is not installed.
Why this is correct
Administrative distance is used to select the best route when multiple protocols provide the same prefix; a lower AD wins.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The route reflector does not set the next-hop-self, so the next-hop is unreachable from the second client.
Why it's wrong here
While next-hop unreachability is a common issue, the scenario specifies that the second client has a route from another protocol, indicating AD is the issue.
- ✗
The route reflector is not configured as a client on the second router.
Why it's wrong here
The scenario states the route reflector is configured with two clients.
- ✗
The BGP synchronization rule is enabled and the prefix is not in the IGP.
Why it's wrong here
Synchronization is disabled by default in modern IOS versions.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the concept that route reflection only affects BGP propagation, not the route installation decision, which is governed by administrative distance or other route selection criteria like prefix length.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
While next-hop unreachability is a common issue, the scenario specifies that the second client has a route from another protocol, indicating AD is the issue.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Administrative distance is a Cisco-proprietary mechanism used to select the best route when multiple protocols offer paths to the same destination. For iBGP, the default AD is 200, which is higher than OSPF (110), EIGRP (90), and IS-IS (115). This means that if a router learns a prefix via OSPF and iBGP, the OSPF route will always be installed unless the AD is manually changed using the `distance bgp` command. In route reflection, the route reflector does not modify the AD of reflected routes, so the client's route selection process remains independent.
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 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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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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: The second client has a route from another protocol (e.g., OSPF) with a lower administrative distance for the same prefix, so BGP route is not installed. — The correct answer is A because a router installs only the best route for a given prefix based on administrative distance (AD) when multiple routing protocols provide routes. BGP has a default AD of 20 for eBGP and 200 for iBGP, while OSPF has an AD of 110. Since OSPF has a lower AD, the OSPF route is preferred and installed in the routing table, causing the BGP-learned prefix to be ignored even though it was successfully reflected.
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.
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?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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