OSPF troubleshooting: A network administrator configures: Router(config)# router ospf 1 Router(config-router)# network 10.0.0.0 255.0.0.0 area 0 but still sees no OSPF routes in the routing table. What configuration mistake was made?

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: The wildcard mask is incorrect.

Explanation:

Introduction / Context:This question evaluates understanding of OSPF configuration syntax and the distinction between subnet masks and wildcard masks. OSPF requires a wildcard mask, not a standard subnet mask, when configuring networks under the routing process.

Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Configuration: Router(config)# router ospf 1
  • Router(config-router)# network 10.0.0.0 255.0.0.0 area 0
  • OSPF not forming adjacencies, no routes visible

Concept / Approach:The “network” command in OSPF uses a wildcard mask, which is the inverse of a subnet mask. For network 10.0.0.0/8, the subnet mask is 255.0.0.0 but the wildcard mask should be 0.255.255.255.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Entered mask = 255.0.0.0 (interpreted as wildcard).OSPF expects 0.255.255.255 for network 10.0.0.0/8.Because of incorrect wildcard, OSPF fails to match any interfaces.Correct configuration: network 10.0.0.0 0.255.255.255 area 0.

Verification / Alternative check:Run show ip ospf interface to see if interfaces are participating. With wrong wildcard mask, no interfaces will appear under OSPF.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • OSPF area: Area 0 is valid for backbone.
  • Process ID: Locally significant only; any number works.
  • AS configuration: Not relevant; OSPF is IGP, not dependent on AS configuration.
  • Router ID: If missing, router automatically selects highest IP; not the cause here.

Common Pitfalls:Confusing wildcard mask with subnet mask; forgetting that OSPF requires inverse masks.

Final Answer:The wildcard mask is incorrect.

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