This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of ip routing. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. A key principle to apply: a Cisco router installs connected routes automatically when an interface is configured with an IP address and is operational.. 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.
A router has a connected route to 192.168.1.0/24 and also has a default route. Which route is used for traffic to 192.168.1.55?
The connected route to 192.168.1.0/24
This is correct because the destination falls within the directly connected subnet.
The default route
Why wrong: This is wrong because a more specific connected route exists.
Both routes equally
Why wrong: This is wrong because the connected route is clearly preferred.
Neither route
Why wrong: This is wrong because the connected route clearly matches.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
The connected route to 192.168.1.0/24
The connected route is used because it is both directly attached and more specific than the default route. In plain language, the router already knows that the destination belongs to one of its local interface networks, so it has no reason to send that traffic to a fallback route. This is one of the most basic route-selection behaviors. Default routes matter only when no better match exists. Here, a directly connected, exact matching network is already present.
Key principle: A Cisco router installs connected routes automatically when an interface is configured with an IP address and is operational.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
The connected route to 192.168.1.0/24
Why this is correct
This is correct because the destination falls within the directly connected subnet.
Related concept
A Cisco router installs connected routes automatically when an interface is configured with an IP address and is operational.
The default route
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because a more specific connected route exists.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question stated that the router had no connected routes and only a default route configured, then the default route would be used for any traffic, including to 192.168.1.55. This would make option B the correct answer.
Both routes equally
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because the connected route is clearly preferred.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario where a router has two equal-length routes to the same destination, such as two connected routes to 192.168.1.0/24 and 192.168.1.0/24 with different interfaces, the router might use both routes equally for load balancing, making this option correct.
Neither route
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because the connected route clearly matches.
When this WOULD be correct
This option would be correct in a scenario where the router has no valid routes for the destination IP address, such as when the connected route is down or misconfigured, and the default route is not set up to handle that specific traffic.
Option-by-option analysis
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The 200-301 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
Why this is correct
This is correct because the destination falls within the directly connected subnet.
Why this is wrong here
The default route is used only when there are no more specific routes available. Since the router has a connected route to 192.168.1.0/24, it will use this more specific route for traffic to 192.168.1.55.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question stated that the router had no connected routes and only a default route configured, then the default route would be used for any traffic, including to 192.168.1.55. This would make option B the correct answer.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may choose this option if they misunderstand the concept of routing priorities, thinking that the default route is always used for all traffic unless specified otherwise, leading them to overlook the specificity of connected routes.
Why this is wrong here
This option is incorrect because a router will prioritize the more specific connected route (192.168.1.0/24) over the default route when determining the best path for traffic to 192.168.1.55.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario where a router has two equal-length routes to the same destination, such as two connected routes to 192.168.1.0/24 and 192.168.1.0/24 with different interfaces, the router might use both routes equally for load balancing, making this option correct.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may choose this option due to a misunderstanding of routing priorities, believing that multiple routes can be used simultaneously without considering the specificity of the routes.
Why this is wrong here
This option is wrong because the router has a connected route to 192.168.1.0/24, which is more specific than the default route, making it the preferred choice for traffic to 192.168.1.55.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
This option would be correct in a scenario where the router has no valid routes for the destination IP address, such as when the connected route is down or misconfigured, and the default route is not set up to handle that specific traffic.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may choose this option due to a misunderstanding of routing priorities, mistakenly believing that a default route would be used even when a more specific connected route exists.
Analysis generated from the official 200-301blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Common exam traps
A common exam trap is assuming that the default route will be used for all traffic not explicitly configured, including traffic destined for directly connected subnets. Candidates may mistakenly select the default route because it appears as a fallback path, ignoring that connected routes always take precedence due to their specificity and administrative distance. Another trap is thinking that both routes could be used simultaneously or load-balanced, which is incorrect because the router selects only the best matching route based on prefix length and administrative distance.
Detailed technical explanation
Routing in Cisco devices relies on the routing table, which contains routes learned from various sources such as connected interfaces, static routes, and dynamic routing protocols. A connected route is automatically installed when an interface is configured with an IP address and is up, representing a directly attached subnet. This makes connected routes the most specific and reliable source of routing information because the router knows it can reach that subnet directly without forwarding traffic elsewhere. When a router receives a packet, it performs a longest prefix match lookup in its routing table. This means the router selects the route with the most specific subnet mask that matches the destination IP address. In this scenario, the connected route to 192.168.1.0/24 is more specific than the default route (0.0.0.0/0), so the router forwards traffic destined for 192.168.1.55 using the connected route. The default route serves as a catch-all only when no more specific route exists. A common exam trap is to confuse the default route as always being used or to think that multiple routes can be used simultaneously. However, Cisco routers never load-balance between a connected subnet and a default route for the same destination because the connected route is a direct match and has a lower administrative distance. Practically, this ensures efficient routing and prevents unnecessary forwarding to gateways when the destination is local.
Key takeaway
A Cisco router installs connected routes automatically when an interface is configured with an IP address and is operational.
Real-world example
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Review a Cisco router installs connected routes automatically when an interface is configured with an IP address and is operational., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
IP Routing — This question tests IP Routing — A Cisco router installs connected routes automatically when an interface is configured with an IP address and is operational..
The correct answer is: The connected route to 192.168.1.0/24 — The connected route is used because it is both directly attached and more specific than the default route. In plain language, the router already knows that the destination belongs to one of its local interface networks, so it has no reason to send that traffic to a fallback route. This is one of the most basic route-selection behaviors. Default routes matter only when no better match exists. Here, a directly connected, exact matching network is already present.
Review a Cisco router installs connected routes automatically when an interface is configured with an IP address and is operational., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
A Cisco router installs connected routes automatically when an interface is configured with an IP address and is operational.
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Last reviewed: May 17, 2026
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