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: administrative distance determines the trustworthiness of routing sources, with lower values preferred over higher ones in Cisco routers.. 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.
A static default route is configured with an administrative distance of 250. What is the most likely design intention?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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.
Key principle: Administrative distance determines the trustworthiness of routing sources, with lower values preferred over higher ones in Cisco routers.
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
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.
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?”
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Administrative distance (AD) is a Cisco-specific value that rates the trustworthiness of routing information sources. Lower AD values indicate more preferred routes. Static routes default to an AD of 1, making them highly trusted and preferred over most dynamic routing protocols. However, by manually increasing the AD, network administrators can control when and if a static route is used in the routing table.
In this scenario, configuring a static default route with an AD of 250 intentionally makes it less preferred than almost all dynamic routing protocols, which typically have AD values well below 250 (e.g., OSPF 110, EIGRP 90, RIP 120). This technique is known as a floating static route, designed to act as a backup route that only becomes active if all other routes fail or disappear. The router will ignore this static route unless no better routes exist.
The exam trap here is misunderstanding the effect of a high administrative distance. Some candidates might think that setting a high AD disables the route or makes it primary, but it actually causes the route to float behind all other learned routes. Practically, this allows for backup routing without removing the static route configuration, ensuring network resilience during failures or routing protocol outages.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Administrative distance determines the trustworthiness of routing sources, with lower values preferred over higher ones in Cisco routers.
Static routes have a default administrative distance of 1, making them more preferred than most dynamic routing protocols by default.
Increasing the administrative distance of a static route creates a floating static route that acts as a backup path behind dynamic routes.
A floating static route only appears in the routing table when no better routes with lower administrative distances exist.
Dynamic routing protocols like OSPF, EIGRP, and RIP have default administrative distances of 110, 90, and 120 respectively, which are lower than 250.
Configuring a static default route with an AD of 250 ensures it is used only as a last resort, preserving network resilience.
Administrative distance does not disable routes or change their prefix length; it only affects route selection priority.
Misunderstanding administrative distance values can lead to incorrect assumptions about route behavior and network design intentions.
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
Administrative distance determines the trustworthiness of routing sources, with lower values preferred over higher ones in Cisco routers.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
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 administrative distance determines the trustworthiness of routing sources, with lower values preferred over higher ones in Cisco routers., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
IP Routing — This question tests IP Routing — Administrative distance determines the trustworthiness of routing sources, with lower values preferred over higher ones in Cisco routers..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 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.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review administrative distance determines the trustworthiness of routing sources, with lower values preferred over higher ones in Cisco routers., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Administrative distance determines the trustworthiness of routing sources, with lower values preferred over higher ones in Cisco routers.
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