The correct statement is that OSPF internal routes have a default preference of 10. This is because Junos assigns a numerical preference to each route source, with lower values indicating a more preferred route, and OSPF internal routes are considered highly reliable within a single area. On the JNCIA-Junos exam, you are expected to memorize the default preferences for key protocols, as questions often test your ability to distinguish between them—common traps include confusing OSPF external routes (which have a default preference of 150) with internal ones, or mixing up static (5) and direct (0) preferences. Understanding route preferences is fundamental to Junos routing decisions, as they determine which route is installed in the forwarding table when multiple protocols learn the same destination. A useful memory tip is to think of the order as "Direct, Static, OSPF, BGP" with preferences 0, 5, 10, and 170—the numbers increase as the protocol’s trustworthiness decreases.
JNCIA-JUNOS Routing Fundamentals Practice Question
This JNCIA-JUNOS practice question tests your understanding of routing fundamentals. 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.
Which TWO statements about route preferences in Junos are correct?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Direct routes have a default preference of 0.
Default route preferences: direct = 0, static = 5, OSPF internal = 10, BGP = 170. Preferences can be changed using routing policies.
Key principle: OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
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 preference of a route cannot be changed.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Preference can be changed using routing policies.
Incorrect: Static routes have default preference 5.
✗
BGP routes have a default preference of 200.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: BGP routes have default preference 170.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: OSPF can fail even when IP connectivity looks correct
OSPF neighbour formation depends on matching areas, timers, network type, authentication and passive-interface behaviour. Do not choose an answer only because the devices can ping.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
OSPF questions usually test the details that control adjacency and route selection. Read the neighbour state, area, router ID and interface configuration before deciding what is wrong.
KKey Concepts to Remember
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
Router ID selection can affect neighbour relationships and LSDB output.
OSPF cost influences the preferred path.
A route can appear in OSPF information but not become the installed route.
TExam Day Tips
→Check area mismatch first when OSPF adjacency fails.
→Review passive interfaces when a network is advertised but no neighbour forms.
→Use show ip ospf neighbor and show ip route clues carefully.
Key takeaway
OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related JNCIA-JUNOS OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
Routing Fundamentals — This question tests Routing Fundamentals — OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Direct routes have a default preference of 0. — Default route preferences: direct = 0, static = 5, OSPF internal = 10, BGP = 170. Preferences can be changed using routing policies.
What should I do if I get this JNCIA-JUNOS question wrong?
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related JNCIA-JUNOS OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
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