CCNA IP Routing Practice Question
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?
⚠ Common exam trap
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.
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
✓
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.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
The route through ISP-A is preferred during normal operation
Why this is correct
During normal operation, the static default route toward ISP-A is installed in the routing table because it has the default administrative distance of 1 for a static route. Cisco routers select the route with the lowest AD for a given prefix, so the ISP-A default outranks the ISP-B route, which is configured with a higher AD (typically 200). Consequently, all unmatched traffic is forwarded via ISP-A under steady-state conditions.
- ✓
The route through ISP-B acts as a floating backup
Why this is correct
The ISP-B default route is a floating static route, meaning it is configured with an administrative distance greater than that of the primary default (e.g., AD 200). As long as the ISP-A route exists and is valid in the routing table, the ISP-B route is not installed and remains dormant. If the ISP-A route is removed or its next-hop becomes unreachable, the router installs the ISP-B route and uses it as the backup default.
- ✗
Both defaults are always installed and used equally
Why it's wrong here
The two default routes are configured with different administrative distances, so they are not equal-cost and will not both be installed in the routing table simultaneously. Equal-cost load balancing requires identical AD and metric, but here ISP-A's route has the default AD of 1 while ISP-B's backup has a higher AD, meaning only ISP-A's route is active for forwarding. The backup route does not carry traffic unless the primary fails, so the claim that both defaults are always installed and used equally is false.
When this WOULD be correct
If both default routes had the same administrative distance and ECMP (equal-cost multipath) was enabled, both would be installed and traffic load-balanced equally.
- ✗
The backup route is ignored permanently because only one default route can exist
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because a router can have multiple default routes in its configuration, and the Cisco IOS installs only the route with the lowest administrative distance for a given prefix; the backup is not permanently ignored. The backup route remains a valid candidate and is held in the configuration until the preferred route is deleted or loses reachability, at which point it transitions into the routing table. Even though only one active default may be installed for a given AD preference, other default routes are not discarded indefinitely.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question stated that both default routes have the same administrative distance and metric, and the router uses only one default route (e.g., due to hardware limitations or a specific IOS version), then only one would be installed and used.
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.
✓The route through ISP-A is preferred during normal operationCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
During normal operation, the static default route toward ISP-A is installed in the routing table because it has the default administrative distance of 1 for a static route. Cisco routers select the route with the lowest AD for a given prefix, so the ISP-A default outranks the ISP-B route, which is configured with a higher AD (typically 200). Consequently, all unmatched traffic is forwarded via ISP-A under steady-state conditions.
✗Both defaults are always installed and used equallyWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
With administrative distance values, only the route with the lowest AD is installed in the routing table. During normal operation, only the route through ISP-A (lower AD) is installed; the backup route is not used equally.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If both default routes had the same administrative distance and ECMP (equal-cost multipath) was enabled, both would be installed and traffic load-balanced equally.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think that multiple default routes can coexist and be used simultaneously without considering administrative distance or routing table behavior.
✗The backup route is ignored permanently because only one default route can existWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Routers can have multiple default routes; the one with the lowest administrative distance is installed in the routing table. During normal operation, both routes exist, but only the preferred one is used.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question stated that both default routes have the same administrative distance and metric, and the router uses only one default route (e.g., due to hardware limitations or a specific IOS version), then only one would be installed and used.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may mistakenly believe that only one default route can exist in the routing table, confusing the concept of a single default gateway in a host with multiple default routes in a router.
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?”
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
OSPFv3 Single-Area Configuration for IPv6
Key term
Route
A route is a path that data takes through a network from one device or network to another, determined by routing protocols and configured rules.
Key term
ISP
An ISP is a company that provides individuals and organizations access to the Internet, along with related services like email and web hosting.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.