Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Practice Exam

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Prepare for the CCNA Exam with detailed questions and thorough study materials. Each question is accompanied by hints and explanations to facilitate your learning process. Get ready to ace the CCNA Exam!

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What is the default number of equal-cost paths in OSPF?

4, with a maximum of 8
8, with a maximum of 16
8, with a maximum of 32
16, with a maximum of 32

The correct answer is: 8, with a maximum of 16

The default number of equal-cost paths in OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) is indeed a key feature of how OSPF manages routing. The correct answer states that the default is 8, with a maximum of 16. This means that OSPF can utilize up to 8 equal-cost routes to the same destination to balance the traffic load. If there are more than 8 feasible routes, OSPF will still only use the 8 best ones by default to ensure efficient load balancing. The maximum of 16 allows network administrators to optimize routing paths further if needed by adjusting configuration settings. Understanding this aspect of OSPF is critical, as equal-cost multipath (ECMP) routing helps maximize bandwidth and provides redundancy in the routing table. The ability to have multiple paths ensures that if one path fails, others can take over with minimal disruption, thereby enhancing network reliability.