Question 1hardmultiple choice
Full question →hardmultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A static route is configured as 198.51.100.0/24 via 192.0.2.9, but the connected network to the next hop goes down. What happens to the static route in the routing table?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Distractor review
It remains permanently because static routes never disappear.
Static routes can be removed if their next hop becomes unresolved.
B
Best answer
It is removed because the recursive next hop is no longer reachable.
Correct. The router must be able to resolve the next hop.
C
Distractor review
It changes automatically into a default route.
Static routes do not mutate into default routes.
D
Distractor review
It becomes an OSPF external route.
A static route does not become OSPF on its own.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common exam trap is believing that static routes remain permanently in the routing table regardless of next-hop reachability. Many candidates incorrectly assume static routes are always present once configured, ignoring the recursive lookup process. This misconception leads to selecting answers that claim static routes never disappear or that they convert into default or dynamic routes automatically. The key is to remember that static routes with next-hop IPs depend on the connected path to that next hop. If the connected interface or network goes down, the static route is removed from the routing table, preventing traffic blackholing.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
Static routing is a fundamental routing method where network administrators manually configure routes on routers. These routes specify a destination network and a next-hop IP address or exit interface. The router uses this information to forward packets toward the destination. Static routes do not rely on dynamic routing protocols like OSPF or EIGRP, so they do not automatically adapt to network topology changes unless configured with tracking features. When a static route is configured with a next-hop IP address, the router performs recursive lookup to resolve the next hop to an outgoing interface. If the connected network or interface leading to the next hop goes down, the router can no longer resolve the next hop IP address. As a result, the static route becomes invalid and is removed from the routing table. This behavior ensures that the router does not forward packets to unreachable next hops, preventing blackholing of traffic. A common exam trap is assuming that static routes remain permanently in the routing table regardless of next-hop reachability. Unlike directly connected routes, static routes with recursive next hops depend on the reachability of the next hop. If the next hop is unreachable, the static route is withdrawn. This behavior contrasts with dynamic routing protocols that can recalculate alternate paths. Understanding this distinction is critical for CCNA exam success and practical network troubleshooting.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- A static route configured with a next-hop IP address requires the router to resolve that next hop to an outgoing interface before installation in the routing table.
- If the connected network or interface to the next hop becomes unreachable, the router removes the static route from the routing table because the next hop cannot be resolved.
- Static routes do not automatically convert into default routes or dynamic routes such as OSPF external routes under any network condition.
- The router performs a recursive lookup for static routes with next-hop IPs, meaning it must find a valid path to the next hop before using the static route.
- Static routes remain in the routing table only as long as the next hop is reachable, preventing traffic from being sent to unreachable destinations.
- Dynamic routing protocols like OSPF and EIGRP can adapt to topology changes, but static routes require manual intervention or tracking to maintain availability.
- A static route with an unreachable next hop is not advertised or propagated by routing protocols and is effectively inactive until the next hop becomes reachable again.
- Understanding the dependency of static routes on next-hop reachability helps avoid misconfigurations and routing blackholes in Cisco networks.
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.
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More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A router learns the same prefix from both OSPF and EIGRP. Which route is installed by default?
Question 2
A router shows this output: R1#show ip ospf neighbor Neighbor ID Pri State Dead Time Address Interface 10.1.1.2 1 FULL/DR 00:00:34 192.168.12.2 GigabitEthernet0/0 10.1.1.3 1 2WAY/DROTHER 00:00:39 192.168.12.3 GigabitEthernet0/0 Which statement is correct?
Question 3
What is the OSPF metric called?
Question 4
A non-root switch has two uplinks toward the root bridge. One path has a lower total STP cost than the other. What role will the lower-cost uplink have?
Question 5
A router interface applies this ACL inbound: 10 deny tcp any any eq 80 20 permit ip any any A user reports that web browsing to a server by IP address fails, but ping works. Which statement best explains the behavior?
Question 6
A router learns route 198.51.100.0/24 from OSPF with AD 110 and also has a static route to the same prefix configured with AD 150. Which route is installed?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
A static route configured with a next-hop IP address requires the router to resolve that next hop to an outgoing interface before installation in the routing table.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: It is removed because the recursive next hop is no longer reachable. — If the outgoing interface or connected path to the next hop becomes unreachable, the router cannot resolve the recursive next hop and the route is removed from the table.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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