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Static & Dynamic Routing Quiz: Test Your Networking Skills

Think you can ace this static vs dynamic routing challenge? Dive in now!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art network diagram with nodes and arrows representing static and dynamic routing on dark blue background.

Think you know which of the following best describes dynamic routing? Our free routing protocols quiz challenges you to distinguish static vs dynamic routing, test your grasp of routing concepts, and explore network configuration questions that drive real-world performance. From identifying which of the following is a characteristic of static routing to understanding how adaptive protocols choose optimal paths, you'll sharpen every skill. Explore detailed static routing fundamentals and tackle engaging interactive networking challenges . Ready to prove your expertise? Take the quiz today!

What distinguishes dynamic routing from static routing?
Dynamic routing requires manual configuration of each network route.
Routes are manually configured and do not change until manually updated.
Routing protocols automatically adjust routes based on network topology changes.
Static routing uses periodic updates to discover network changes.
Dynamic routing protocols automatically update routing tables when network conditions change, whereas static routes are manually configured and remain fixed until manually altered. Dynamic routing improves fault tolerance and scalability by adapting to link failures and topology updates. Static routing is simpler but does not adjust to failures without administrator intervention. Cisco: Static vs Dynamic Routing
Which protocol is an example of a distance-vector routing protocol?
BGP
IS-IS
RIP
OSPF
RIP (Routing Information Protocol) is a classic distance-vector protocol that uses hop count as its metric and sends periodic full routing table updates to neighbors. OSPF and IS-IS are link-state protocols, and BGP is a path-vector protocol. Distance-vector protocols are generally simpler but can suffer from slower convergence and routing loops. Wikipedia: RIP
In dynamic routing, routing updates are typically exchanged over:
Periodic SNMP messages
Routing protocol updates
ICMP redirects exclusively
Manual configuration files
Dynamic routing relies on routing protocol messages to exchange topology and reachability information among routers automatically. Protocols such as RIP, OSPF, and BGP encapsulate updates and send them over established sessions. SNMP and ICMP are used for management and diagnostics, not for core route exchange. Juniper: Routing Protocols Overview
Which metric does RIP use?
Hop count
Delay
Bandwidth
Cost
RIP uses hop count as its sole metric, where each router-to-router hop counts as one. The maximum hop count is 16, beyond which networks are considered unreachable. Other protocols use metrics like bandwidth, delay, or composite costs. Wikipedia: RIP Metrics
Dynamic routing protocols can improve network scalability by:
Automatically adjusting routes to topology changes
Halting convergence on changes
Disabling failed links permanently
Requiring manual update of every route
Dynamic routing protocols automatically detect and adapt to network topology changes, which reduces the need for manual intervention as the network grows. This capability improves scalability and resilience in large or frequently changing environments. Manual updates are error-prone and do not scale well. Cisco: Dynamic Routing Overview
What is the default maximum hop count in RIP?
16
6
32
255
RIP defines a maximum hop count of 16 to prevent routing loops; any destination beyond 16 hops is considered unreachable. This limit simplifies loop prevention at the cost of network size. Higher hop counts are not supported by the protocol. Wikipedia: RIP Hop Count
Which dynamic routing protocol uses a link-state algorithm?
RIP
OSPF
EIGRP
BGP
OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) is a link-state protocol where routers flood link-state advertisements (LSAs) to build a complete network topology map. Each router independently computes shortest paths using Dijkstra's algorithm. RIP is distance-vector, BGP is path-vector, and EIGRP is a hybrid protocol. Wikipedia: OSPF
In dynamic routing, what term describes the process of routers learning network changes?
Propagation
Dissemination
Iteration
Convergence
Convergence refers to the state where all routers have consistent and updated routing information after a topology change. Fast convergence minimizes packet loss and routing loops. Before convergence, routers may have stale or inconsistent routes. Cisco: OSPF Convergence
What problem does split horizon aim to solve?
Slow link speeds
Excessive multicast traffic
High CPU usage
Routing loops
Split horizon prevents routers from advertising routes back out the interface from which they were learned, reducing the chance of routing loops in distance-vector protocols. It is often combined with route poisoning and hold-down timers for loop prevention. This mechanism increases network stability. Wikipedia: Split Horizon
Triggered updates in dynamic routing improve:
Multicast reachability
Encryption strength
Convergence time
Hop count
Triggered updates are immediate routing updates sent in response to topology changes rather than waiting for the next periodic update. This accelerates convergence and reduces the window for loops or routing black holes. They are commonly used in RIP and EIGRP. Cisco: RIP Triggered Updates
What is administrative distance?
Trustworthiness of a routing source
Number of hops metric
Link bandwidth measure
CPU priority on the router
Administrative distance is a value assigned to routing information sources to indicate their reliability; lower values are more trusted. If two protocols learn about the same network, the route with the lower administrative distance is used. Each routing protocol has a default AD. Cisco: Administrative Distance
Which protocol uses the DUAL algorithm?
BGP
RIP
OSPF
EIGRP
EIGRP (Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol) uses the Diffusing Update Algorithm (DUAL) to calculate loop-free paths and ensure rapid convergence. DUAL maintains both primary and feasible successor routes for reliability. OSPF uses Dijkstra's algorithm instead. Cisco: EIGRP and DUAL
What metric does OSPF primarily use?
Distance
Delay only
Cost based on bandwidth
Hop count
OSPF calculates cost as a function of bandwidth (the reference bandwidth divided by the link bandwidth). Lower-cost paths are preferred. Hop count is used by RIP, and delay is a metric in EIGRP. Cisco: OSPF Cost
Count to infinity occurs in which type of protocol?
Distance-vector
Link-state
Hybrid
Path-vector
Count to infinity is a loop issue where distance-vector routers continuously increase the metric to an unreachable network until the maximum is reached. Link-state and path-vector protocols have mechanisms to avoid this problem. Hybrid protocols like EIGRP mitigate it with DUAL. Wikipedia: Count to Infinity
What mechanism prevents routing loops in RIP?
Aging out entries
Hold-down timers
Path summarization
Flooding updates
Hold-down timers prevent routers from accepting potentially incorrect routing information for a certain period after a route becomes unreachable. This reduces routing loops by ignoring inferior updates while the network stabilizes. Combined with split horizon and route poisoning, they improve stability. Cisco: RIP Loop Prevention
In OSPF, what type of LSA is used to advertise network prefixes within an area?
Type 3 LSA
Type 1 LSA
Type 2 LSA
Type 5 LSA
OSPF Type 3 LSAs (Summary LSAs) are generated by area border routers to advertise networks from one area into another. Type 1 LSAs describe router links, Type 2 LSAs describe multi-access networks, and Type 5 LSAs describe external routes. Cisco: OSPF LSA Types
Which BGP attribute is used to prefer shorter AS paths?
NEXT_HOP
LOCAL_PREF
AS_PATH length
MED
The AS_PATH attribute in BGP lists the autonomous systems a route has traversed; shorter AS_PATH lengths are preferred to select the most direct path. LOCAL_PREF and MED influence selection within and between ASes, respectively, but AS_PATH length is the primary external path selection criterion. Cisco: BGP Path Selection
EIGRP uses what as its composite metric?
Bandwidth and delay
Hop count
Reliability only
Delay only
EIGRP uses a composite metric that includes bandwidth and delay by default, with optional consideration of load and reliability. These values are combined in the metric formula to select optimal paths. Hop count and reliability alone do not define EIGRP's metric. Cisco: EIGRP Metrics
What is the purpose of OSPF area 0?
Stub area to filter external routes
Backbone area for inter-area routing
Boundary area for inter-AS routing
Transit area for external AS paths
Area 0, also known as the backbone area, is the core of an OSPF network through which all other areas must connect for inter-area route exchange. It ensures a loop-free topology by centralizing area communication. Stub and transit areas are distinct configurations with specific filtering. Cisco: OSPF Areas
Which feature allows BGP to reduce the number of peer connections in an iBGP full mesh?
Route Reflectors
Confederations
Next-hop-self
Multi-exit discrimination
Route reflectors allow iBGP routers to reduce the necessity for a full mesh by reflecting routes to other iBGP peers. This mechanism lowers the number of direct peer connections needed in large networks. Confederations also reduce mesh requirements but at an AS restructuring level. Cisco: BGP Route Reflectors
In link-state routing, what database do routers exchange?
Routing table
ARP table
Link-state database
CAM table
Link-state routing protocols (e.g., OSPF, IS-IS) exchange their link-state databases containing LSAs or link-state PDUs. Each router builds a complete topology map from this database and runs shortest-path calculations. Routing tables are derived from these computations. Wikipedia: Link-state Routing
What is the maximum metric value in OSPF?
16,777,215
16
65535
No limit
OSPF uses a 16-bit cost field, so the maximum numerical cost is 65,535. Costs above this limit cannot be represented in OSPF's standard metric format. The default reference bandwidth ensures typical link costs remain well below this maximum. RFC 2328: OSPFv2
When redistributing routes from OSPF into BGP, which attribute should you manipulate to influence import path selection?
AS_PATH
NEXT_HOP_SELF
LOCAL_PREF
MED (Multi-Exit Discriminator)
MED is used to convey path preference to external autonomous systems, allowing you to influence which external path an adjacent AS prefers. LOCAL_PREF affects route selection within an AS, and AS_PATH changes the perceived AS path length. NEXT_HOP_SELF modifies the BGP next hop attribute. Cisco: BGP Redistribution
What OSPF stub area type allows external Type 7 LSAs that are translated to Type 5 at the ABR?
Stub area
Not-So-Stubby Area (NSSA)
Totally stubby area
Backbone area
An NSSA (Not-So-Stubby Area) permits Type 7 LSAs generated by ASBRs within the area. The ABR then translates these Type 7 LSAs into Type 5 LSAs for distribution into the backbone. Stub and totally stubby areas block external LSAs entirely. Cisco: OSPF NSSA
In BGP, which community enforces that a path will not be advertised outside the local AS?
NEXT_HOP_SELF
NO_ADVERTISE
LOCAL_PREF
NO_EXPORT
The well-known NO_EXPORT community prevents routes from being advertised to external BGP peers (EBGP), effectively restricting the advertisement to the local AS. NO_ADVERTISE prevents advertisement to any BGP peer at all. LOCAL_PREF and NEXT_HOP_SELF are unrelated to community-based export control. RFC 1997: BGP Communities
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Dynamic Routing Principles -

    Gain clarity on dynamic routing mechanisms, including how routers exchange information and adapt to network changes.

  2. Differentiate Static vs Dynamic Routing -

    Compare the traits of static routing with the benefits of dynamic routing to choose the right approach for various network scenarios.

  3. Identify Static Routing Characteristics -

    Recognize key attributes of static routing, such as manual configuration and lack of adaptability, to solidify your fundamentals.

  4. Apply Routing Protocol Knowledge -

    Use insights into protocols like OSPF and EIGRP to answer questions about which of the following best describes dynamic routing.

  5. Analyze Routing Decisions -

    Evaluate how dynamic protocols make path selections and adjust routes based on metrics, topology changes, and convergence speed.

  6. Prepare for Network Configuration Challenges -

    Build confidence for certification or real-world tasks by tackling routing protocol quiz questions and network configuration scenarios.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Defining Dynamic Routing -

    Dynamic routing protocols automatically share and update route information between routers, adapting to topology changes in real time. Think of OSPF flooding link-state updates in seconds to maintain accurate routing tables (Cisco, CCNA). Remember the phrase "Routes Update Dynamically" to recall their self-adjusting nature.

  2. Characteristic of Static Routing -

    Static routes require manual configuration and do not adapt to network failures, making them predictable but less flexible, which answers "which of the following is a characteristic of static routing." For example, using "ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 192.168.1.1" sets a fixed default gateway (Juniper Networks). Keep in mind the mnemonic "Static Stays Steady" to recall its unchanging behavior.

  3. Static vs Dynamic Routing Trade-offs -

    Static vs dynamic routing debates center on control versus automation: static routing offers security and low overhead, while dynamic routing scales effortlessly in large networks. For network configuration questions, compare administrative distance values - static is typically 1 and OSPF is 110 (RFC 2328). Use the handy analogy "Static = Hand-written Map, Dynamic = GPS" to visualize their differences.

  4. Key Routing Protocols Quiz Essentials -

    A solid routing protocols quiz should test knowledge of RIP, OSPF, EIGRP and BGP, covering metrics like hop count, cost or AS path length. For instance, RIP's hop-count limit of 15 prevents routing loops (IETF RFC 2453). Practice questions like "which of the following best describes dynamic routing?" reinforce protocol behaviors and convergence times.

  5. Distance-Vector vs Link-State Algorithms -

    Distance-vector protocols exchange entire routing tables at intervals (e.g., RIP), while link-state protocols share link-state information to build a network topology map (e.g., OSPF). A quick mnemonic: "DV Ducks Dive" for periodic table dumps, "LS Loves Links" for topology awareness (University networking labs). Understanding these underpinnings solidifies your grasp in any routing protocols quiz.

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