- A
The active-time timer is set too low (3 minutes), causing queries to time out before R2 can reply.
The default active-time is 3 minutes. If R2 has many routes, it may take longer to process queries, leading to SIA.
- B
R2 has a stuck-in-active condition due to a routing loop.
Why wrong: The issue is the timer, not a loop.
- C
R1 has a misconfigured distribute-list that blocks query replies from R2.
Why wrong: No distribute-list is mentioned.
- D
The network has a high latency link that delays query propagation.
Why wrong: While latency can contribute, the primary issue is the timer setting.
Question 1,398 of 2,152
Troubleshooting EIGRP SIA Events
This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of eigrp troubleshooting. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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 EIGRP network is experiencing frequent stuck-in-active (SIA) events. Router R1 shows: 'show ip eigrp topology' includes routes in active state for several minutes. R1's configuration: router eigrp 100 timers active-time 3. R2, a neighbor, is reachable but has a large number of routes. What is the root cause?
Quick Answer
The answer is that the active-time timer is set too low at 3 minutes, causing queries to time out before R2 can reply. In EIGRP, when a router loses a route and transitions to active state, it sends queries to all neighbors and waits for replies within the active-time window. If a neighbor like R2, which has a large number of routes, cannot process and reply to all queries before the timer expires, the querying router declares the route stuck-in-active (SIA) and resets the neighbor relationship. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how the active-time timer interacts with convergence delays in large topologies—a common trap is assuming a lower timer speeds recovery, when it actually triggers premature SIA events. Remember that the default active-time is 3 minutes, and increasing it (e.g., to 5 minutes) gives slower neighbors more time to reply. Memory tip: “Active-time too low? SIA will grow.”
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 active-time timer is set too low (3 minutes), causing queries to time out before R2 can reply.
The correct answer is A because the 'timers active-time 3' command sets the active-time timer to 3 minutes, which is the default value. In a network where R2 has a large number of routes, the query and reply process can take longer than 3 minutes, causing R1 to declare the route as stuck-in-active (SIA) and reset the neighbor relationship. This is a common misconfiguration where the active-time timer is not increased to accommodate slow query propagation or large route tables.
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 active-time timer is set too low (3 minutes), causing queries to time out before R2 can reply.
Why this is correct
The default active-time is 3 minutes. If R2 has many routes, it may take longer to process queries, leading to SIA.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
R2 has a stuck-in-active condition due to a routing loop.
Why it's wrong here
The issue is the timer, not a loop.
- ✗
R1 has a misconfigured distribute-list that blocks query replies from R2.
Why it's wrong here
No distribute-list is mentioned.
- ✗
The network has a high latency link that delays query propagation.
Why it's wrong here
While latency can contribute, the primary issue is the timer setting.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that the default active-time timer is always sufficient, but the trap here is that candidates may overlook the need to increase the timer when the network has a large number of routes or high latency, leading to frequent SIA events.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The EIGRP active-time timer controls how long a router waits for replies to queries before declaring a route as stuck-in-active (SIA). When the timer expires, the router resets the neighbor relationship with the non-responding neighbor, causing network instability. In networks with many routes or high latency, the default 3-minute timer is often insufficient; increasing it to 5-10 minutes can prevent false SIA events while still protecting against genuine failures.
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.
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: The active-time timer is set too low (3 minutes), causing queries to time out before R2 can reply. — The correct answer is A because the 'timers active-time 3' command sets the active-time timer to 3 minutes, which is the default value. In a network where R2 has a large number of routes, the query and reply process can take longer than 3 minutes, causing R1 to declare the route as stuck-in-active (SIA) and reset the neighbor relationship. This is a common misconfiguration where the active-time timer is not increased to accommodate slow query propagation or large route tables.
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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