CCNA IP Routing Practice Question
A static default route is configured with an administrative distance of 250. What is the most likely design intention?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common exam trap is assuming that increasing the administrative distance disables the static route or forces it to override dynamic routes. In reality, a higher AD causes the static route to be less preferred, effectively floating it behind all other routes. Candidates might confuse the AD value with route priority or think that setting it to 250 disables the route, but the route remains active and is used only as a last resort. Misinterpreting this can lead to incorrect answers about route behavior and fail to recognize the floating static route design pattern.
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
✓
To keep the route as a backup of last resort behind normal learned routes
The design intention is to make the static default route a very low-priority backup path. In plain language, the administrator wants the route to exist only as a last resort behind almost any normal learned path. By assigning such a high administrative distance, the route stays out of the active table unless better routes disappear. This is a floating-static design concept. The route is not meant to be primary. It is intentionally configured to sit in reserve and become relevant only during failure conditions or severe loss of normal routing information.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
To keep the route as a backup of last resort behind normal learned routes
Why this is correct
This is correct because a very high administrative distance makes the static route float behind preferred sources.
- ✗
To make the route override all dynamic routing immediately
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because a high administrative distance does the opposite.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario where the question states that the static default route has an administrative distance of 0, the option would be correct if the intention was to ensure that this route takes precedence over all dynamic routes immediately.
- ✗
To disable default routing entirely
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because the route remains configured as a backup path rather than being disabled conceptually.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario, if a question asked about a configuration that explicitly sets a static route with an administrative distance of 255 or higher to prevent any default routing from being used, then this option could be correct. For example, if the question specified that the intention was to completely disable routing to a specific network, this could apply.
- ✗
To convert the default route into a host route
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because administrative distance does not change the prefix itself.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario, if the question asked about configuring a static route with a specific subnet mask of 255.255.255.255 (host route) and an administrative distance of 250, then this option could be correct if the intention was to limit the route's use to very specific conditions.
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.
✓To keep the route as a backup of last resort behind normal learned routesCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
This is correct because a very high administrative distance makes the static route float behind preferred sources.
✗To make the route override all dynamic routing immediatelyWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This option is wrong because a static default route with an administrative distance of 250 would not override dynamic routes; instead, it would be ignored in favor of routes with lower administrative distances.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario where the question states that the static default route has an administrative distance of 0, the option would be correct if the intention was to ensure that this route takes precedence over all dynamic routes immediately.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may choose this option due to a misunderstanding of administrative distances, believing that a higher distance would somehow grant priority over dynamic routes, which is contrary to how routing protocols function.
✗To disable default routing entirelyWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This option is wrong because configuring a static default route with an administrative distance of 250 does not disable default routing; it simply makes it less preferred than other routes. A route with such a high administrative distance is unlikely to be used unless no other routes are available.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario, if a question asked about a configuration that explicitly sets a static route with an administrative distance of 255 or higher to prevent any default routing from being used, then this option could be correct. For example, if the question specified that the intention was to completely disable routing to a specific network, this could apply.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might find this option tempting because they may confuse high administrative distances with disabling routes, thinking that a higher value means the route is effectively ignored or turned off.
✗To convert the default route into a host routeWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This option is incorrect because a static default route with an administrative distance of 250 does not convert it into a host route; it simply indicates that the route is less preferred than any other routes with a lower administrative distance.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario, if the question asked about configuring a static route with a specific subnet mask of 255.255.255.255 (host route) and an administrative distance of 250, then this option could be correct if the intention was to limit the route's use to very specific conditions.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might find this option tempting because they may confuse the concept of administrative distance with route specificity, thinking that a high distance could imply a more specific route type.
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.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Interpreting HSRP and VRRP Operational Status
Key term
Default route
A default route is a catch-all routing entry that tells a network device where to send packets when no specific route matches the destination address.
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.
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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.