- A
15
Why wrong: Incorrect. 15 is the maximum hop count for RIP, not EIGRP.
- B
255
Why wrong: Incorrect. While some implementations allow 255, the standard maximum is 224.
- C
224
Correct. EIGRP limits hop count to 224 by default.
- D
Unlimited
Why wrong: Incorrect. EIGRP has a hop count limit of 224.
Question 2,083 of 2,152
EIGRP Maximum Hop Count: 224 or 255?
This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of eigrp troubleshooting. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
What is the maximum hop count for an EIGRP route?
Quick Answer
The answer is 224. While some older implementations or documentation may reference 255, the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam specifically tests the standardized maximum hop count of 224 for EIGRP routes. This limit exists as a loop-prevention mechanism, but it is critical to understand that EIGRP’s default composite metric does not include hop count; instead, hop count is used only as a tie-breaker when multiple feasible successors exist or as a hard cap to discard routes exceeding 224 hops. On the ENARSI exam, this often appears as a trick question where candidates mistakenly choose 255, confusing EIGRP with RIP’s 15-hop limit or recalling an older Cisco implementation. The trap is that EIGRP’s hop count is rarely reached in practice because the metric calculation (based on bandwidth and delay) typically invalidates a route long before 224 hops. For the exam, remember the mnemonic: “EIGRP hops to 224, not a hop more—RIP stops at 15, but EIGRP keeps score.”
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
✓
224
EIGRP uses a maximum hop count of 224, not 255 like RIPv2 or other distance-vector protocols. This limit is hard-coded in the EIGRP protocol to prevent routing loops and excessive path lengths, and it is enforced by the EIGRP update process. Routes with a hop count exceeding 224 are considered unreachable and are not installed in the routing table.
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.
- ✗
15
- ✗
255
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. While some implementations allow 255, the standard maximum is 224.
- ✓
224
Why this is correct
Correct. EIGRP limits hop count to 224 by default.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Unlimited
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. EIGRP has a hop count limit of 224.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the specific EIGRP hop count of 224 to trap candidates who confuse it with the more common RIP hop count of 15 or the RIPv2/EIGRP default of 255, or who assume EIGRP has no hop count limit due to its advanced metric system.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
EIGRP's hop count of 224 is a hard limit enforced during the Diffusing Update Algorithm (DUAL) process; even if the composite metric (bandwidth, delay, load, reliability) is favorable, a route with a hop count of 225 or more is discarded. This limit is not configurable and is separate from the administrative distance or metric calculations. In real-world scenarios, this can cause issues in very large or poorly designed EIGRP networks where routes may become unreachable due to hop count exhaustion, even if the path is otherwise valid.
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?
EIGRP Troubleshooting — This question tests EIGRP Troubleshooting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 224 — EIGRP uses a maximum hop count of 224, not 255 like RIPv2 or other distance-vector protocols. This limit is hard-coded in the EIGRP protocol to prevent routing loops and excessive path lengths, and it is enforced by the EIGRP update process. Routes with a hop count exceeding 224 are considered unreachable and are not installed in the routing table.
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
This 300-410 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 300-410 exam.
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