This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of ip routing. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. A key principle to apply: a static default route with a lower administrative distance is preferred by Cisco routers during normal routing operations.. 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.
Exhibit
ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 198.51.100.1
ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 203.0.113.1 200
A static default route is configured on R1 toward ISP-A, and a second default route toward ISP-B is configured with a higher administrative distance. Which two statements are correct during normal operation and after ISP-A failure?
The backup route is ignored permanently because only one default route can exist
Why it's wrong here
The backup can become active when the preferred route is removed.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A frequent exam trap is assuming that both default routes are simultaneously active and load-balanced, or that the backup route is permanently ignored because only one default route can exist. The trap lies in misunderstanding administrative distance behavior: the higher AD route is not used until the primary route fails. Misreading this can lead to incorrect answers claiming equal usage or permanent backup route exclusion. Remember, Cisco routers always prefer the route with the lowest administrative distance and only switch to the floating static route when the primary path is lost.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Static default routing is a fundamental routing technique where a router forwards packets destined for unknown networks to a specified next-hop IP address or exit interface. In Cisco routers, the administrative distance (AD) is a key factor in route selection; it is a numeric value that rates the trustworthiness of a route source. Lower AD values are preferred over higher ones. By default, a static route has an AD of 1, making it highly preferred compared to dynamic routing protocols or static routes with manually increased AD values.
In the scenario where two static default routes are configured—one toward ISP-A with the default AD of 1 and another toward ISP-B with a higher AD (e.g., 200)—the router installs only the route with the lowest AD into the routing table. This design creates a floating static route: the higher AD route remains inactive and serves as a backup. If the primary route toward ISP-A fails (due to link failure or next-hop unreachability), the router removes it from the routing table and activates the floating static route toward ISP-B, ensuring continuous internet connectivity.
A common exam trap is misunderstanding the behavior of multiple default routes with different administrative distances. Candidates might incorrectly assume that both routes are always active or that only one default route can exist. In reality, multiple default routes can coexist in the configuration, but only the route with the lowest AD is active. The floating static route is ignored during normal operation but becomes critical during failover. This mechanism prevents routing loops and unnecessary load balancing, providing a reliable and predictable backup path.
KKey Concepts to Remember
A static default route with a lower administrative distance is preferred by Cisco routers during normal routing operations.
A static default route configured with a higher administrative distance acts as a floating static route and remains inactive until the primary route fails.
Cisco routers install only the route with the lowest administrative distance into the routing table for a given destination.
When the primary default route toward ISP-A fails, the router detects the loss and activates the floating static route toward ISP-B.
Administrative distance is a Cisco-specific value used to select the best path when multiple routes to the same destination exist.
Floating static routes provide backup connectivity without causing routing loops or load balancing under normal conditions.
Only one default route is active at a time in the routing table, but multiple default routes can be configured with different administrative distances.
The router continuously monitors the reachability of the primary route to determine when to switch to the backup floating static route.
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.
Key takeaway
A static default route with a lower administrative distance is preferred by Cisco routers during normal routing operations.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 200-301 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. A static default route with a lower administrative distance is preferred by Cisco routers during normal routing operations. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 200-301 question in full detail.
Review a static default route with a lower administrative distance is preferred by Cisco routers during normal routing operations., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
IP Routing — This question tests IP Routing — A static default route with a lower administrative distance is preferred by Cisco routers during normal routing operations..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The route through ISP-A is preferred during normal operation — This is a classic floating static design. The lower-AD default route is primary, and the higher-AD default waits in reserve.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review a static default route with a lower administrative distance is preferred by Cisco routers during normal routing operations., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
A static default route with a lower administrative distance is preferred by Cisco routers during normal routing operations.
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