Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A routing table entry begins with the code C. What does that code indicate?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Distractor review
A route learned through EIGRP
EIGRP routes use D for internal EIGRP in classic Cisco IOS routing table output.
B
Best answer
A connected network
Correct. C means connected.
C
Distractor review
A candidate default route
Candidate default is not what the C code represents.
D
Distractor review
A static route to a classful network
Static routes use S.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A frequent exam trap is mistaking the 'C' code for a static route or a route learned via a routing protocol like EIGRP. Some candidates incorrectly assume 'C' means candidate default or static, but Cisco IOS uses 'S' for static routes and 'D' for EIGRP-learned routes. Misreading these codes can lead to incorrect conclusions about how a route was learned or its trustworthiness. Remember, 'C' always means the route is directly connected to the router, which is fundamental for understanding routing behavior and troubleshooting.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
In Cisco routing tables, each route entry is prefixed with a code that identifies the source or type of the route. The code 'C' specifically indicates a directly connected network, meaning the router has an interface configured with an IP address in that subnet and the interface is operational. These connected routes are fundamental because they represent networks that the router can reach without needing to forward packets to another router. The routing table decision process prioritizes connected routes because they have the lowest administrative distance of 0, making them the most trusted source of routing information. When a router boots up and interfaces come online, it automatically installs connected routes into the routing table. This contrasts with routes learned via dynamic routing protocols like EIGRP or OSPF, which have higher administrative distances and are marked with different codes (e.g., 'D' for EIGRP). A common exam trap is confusing the 'C' code with other route types such as static routes ('S') or routes learned through routing protocols like EIGRP ('D'). Candidates might mistakenly think 'C' stands for candidate default or static routes, but in Cisco IOS, 'C' always means a directly connected network. Practically, understanding this helps in troubleshooting because if a connected route is missing, it often indicates an interface is down or misconfigured, which is a critical first step in network connectivity issues.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- The code 'C' in a Cisco routing table indicates a network that is directly connected to one of the router's interfaces.
- Connected routes have an administrative distance of 0, making them the most trusted routes in the routing table.
- A connected route is installed automatically when an interface is configured with an IP address and is operational.
- Static routes are marked with 'S' in the routing table, differentiating them from connected routes.
- EIGRP-learned routes use the code 'D' to indicate dynamic routing protocol sources, not 'C'.
- The router prefers connected routes over static or dynamic routes due to their lower administrative distance.
- Missing a connected route often indicates an interface is down or misconfigured, which is critical for troubleshooting.
- Understanding routing table codes helps quickly identify route sources and trust levels during network analysis.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Related practice questions
Related 200-301 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
CCNA subnetting practice questions
Practise IPv4 subnetting, CIDR, masks, host ranges and subnet selection.
CCNA OSPF practice questions
Practise OSPF neighbours, router IDs, metrics, areas and routing-table interpretation.
CCNA VLAN practice questions
Practise VLANs, access ports, trunks, allowed VLANs and switching scenarios.
CCNA STP practice questions
Practise spanning tree, root bridge election, port roles and STP troubleshooting.
CCNA EtherChannel practice questions
Practise LACP, PAgP, port-channel behaviour and bundle requirements.
CCNA ACL practice questions
Practise standard and extended ACLs, permit/deny logic and traffic filtering.
CCNA NAT practice questions
Practise static NAT, dynamic NAT, PAT and inside/outside address translation.
CCNA DHCP practice questions
Practise DHCP scopes, relay, leases and troubleshooting.
CCNA show ip route practice questions
Practise routing-table output, longest-prefix match, AD and route selection.
CCNA show interfaces trunk practice questions
Practise trunk verification and VLAN forwarding across switches.
CCNA wireless security practice questions
Practise WLAN security, authentication and wireless architecture concepts.
CCNA IPv6 practice questions
Practise IPv6 addressing, routes, neighbour discovery and common IPv6 exam traps.
More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A router learns the same prefix from both OSPF and EIGRP. Which route is installed by default?
Question 2
A router shows this output: R1#show ip ospf neighbor Neighbor ID Pri State Dead Time Address Interface 10.1.1.2 1 FULL/DR 00:00:34 192.168.12.2 GigabitEthernet0/0 10.1.1.3 1 2WAY/DROTHER 00:00:39 192.168.12.3 GigabitEthernet0/0 Which statement is correct?
Question 3
What is the OSPF metric called?
Question 4
A non-root switch has two uplinks toward the root bridge. One path has a lower total STP cost than the other. What role will the lower-cost uplink have?
Question 5
A router interface applies this ACL inbound: 10 deny tcp any any eq 80 20 permit ip any any A user reports that web browsing to a server by IP address fails, but ping works. Which statement best explains the behavior?
Question 6
A router learns route 198.51.100.0/24 from OSPF with AD 110 and also has a static route to the same prefix configured with AD 150. Which route is installed?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
The code 'C' in a Cisco routing table indicates a network that is directly connected to one of the router's interfaces.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: A connected network — In Cisco routing table output, C indicates a directly connected network. These routes are installed when an interface is up and has an address in that subnet.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
Discussion
Loading comments…
Sign in to join the discussion.