Question 522 of 1,389
CCNA IP Routing Practice Question
A routing table entry begins with the code C. What does that code indicate?
⚠ Common exam trap
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.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
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.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
A route learned through EIGRP
Why it's wrong here
EIGRP-learned routes are identified by the code 'D' (for internal EIGRP) or 'EX' (for external EIGRP), named after the Diffusing Update Algorithm. Since those routes are dynamically discovered from EIGRP neighbors, they cannot be represented by 'C', which is reserved exclusively for locally connected interfaces.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question asked what code represents a route learned through EIGRP, then option A would be correct. For example, a question could state, 'What code indicates a route learned via EIGRP in a routing table?'
- ✓
A connected network
Why this is correct
The code 'C' in a Cisco IOS routing table represents a connected (directly attached) network. This entry is automatically generated when an interface has a valid IP address configured and is in the up/up state, and it carries an administrative distance of 0, meaning it is the most trustworthy source of routing information.
- ✗
A candidate default route
Why it's wrong here
A candidate default route is typically shown with an asterisk (e.g., 'S*' or 'D*') and represents a route that can be used as the gateway of last resort, usually pointing to 0.0.0.0/0. The single letter 'C' does not denote a default candidate; it specifically marks a connected subnet learned from the local interface.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different question, if asked what code represents a route that is a candidate for becoming the default route, option C would be correct. This would require a context where the question specifies default routes and their candidates.
- ✗
A static route to a classful network
Why it's wrong here
A static route to a classful network would be displayed with the code 'S', not 'C', because static routes are manually configured by a network administrator. The 'C' code always indicates a route that was automatically installed as a result of interface configuration, never a manually defined path.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question were to ask about a routing table entry that begins with the code S, then option D would be correct, as it would indicate a static route to a classful network. This would clarify the context of static routes in relation to classful addressing.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
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.
✓A connected networkCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
The code 'C' in a Cisco IOS routing table represents a connected (directly attached) network. This entry is automatically generated when an interface has a valid IP address configured and is in the up/up state, and it carries an administrative distance of 0, meaning it is the most trustworthy source of routing information.
✗A route learned through EIGRPWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
EIGRP routes are identified by the code 'D' (for internal EIGRP) or 'EX' (for external EIGRP) in the routing table, not 'C'. The 'C' code is reserved for directly connected networks. EIGRP is a dynamic routing protocol that exchanges routes between routers, whereas connected routes are automatically generated.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question asked what code represents a route learned through EIGRP, then option A would be correct. For example, a question could state, 'What code indicates a route learned via EIGRP in a routing table?'
Why candidates choose this
Some students may associate 'C' with 'Cisco' or think it stands for 'Cisco protocol', but EIGRP is a Cisco proprietary protocol. However, the routing table codes are standardized: 'C' for connected, 'D' for EIGRP, 'O' for OSPF, etc.
✗A candidate default routeWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A candidate default route is typically indicated by a '*' in the routing table, not 'C'. The 'C' code always means a directly connected network. Candidate default routes are usually static routes (with code 'S') or dynamic routes that are flagged as default routes, but they are not represented by the 'C' code.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different question, if asked what code represents a route that is a candidate for becoming the default route, option C would be correct. This would require a context where the question specifies default routes and their candidates.
Why candidates choose this
The word 'candidate' starts with 'C', so students might mistakenly think 'C' stands for 'candidate'. However, in Cisco IOS, 'C' is exclusively for connected networks, and default routes are shown with a '*' or as a static route with 'S*'.
✗A static route to a classful networkWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Static routes are indicated by the code 'S' in the routing table, not 'C'. The 'C' code specifically denotes a directly connected network, which is learned automatically when an interface is configured with an IP address and is up/up. A static route is manually configured by an administrator using the 'ip route' command.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question were to ask about a routing table entry that begins with the code S, then option D would be correct, as it would indicate a static route to a classful network. This would clarify the context of static routes in relation to classful addressing.
Why candidates choose this
Students might confuse 'C' with 'classful' or think that static routes are also 'connected' in a sense, but the routing table codes are distinct. The 'C' code is only for networks directly attached to the router's interfaces.
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?”
Visual reference
Quick reference
Routing Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Metric | Max Hops | Algorithm | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIP v2 | Hop count | 15 | Bellman-Ford | Distance vector |
| OSPF | Cost (bandwidth) | Unlimited | Dijkstra (SPF) | Link state |
| EIGRP | Composite metric | Unlimited | DUAL | Hybrid |
| IS-IS | Cost | Unlimited | Dijkstra | Link state |
| BGP | Policy / attributes | Unlimited | Path vector | Path vector |
RIP's 15-hop limit makes it unsuitable for large networks. OSPF and EIGRP dominate modern enterprise deployments.
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Last reviewed: May 17, 2026
This 200-301 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-301 exam.
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