- A
Connected routes: AD 0, directly connected networks
Connected routes have an administrative distance of 0, meaning they are the most preferred. They represent networks directly attached to the router's interfaces.
- B
Static routes: AD 1, manually configured by an administrator
Why wrong: Static routes have an AD of 1, not 0. The description is correct, but the AD is wrong. Connected routes have AD 0.
- C
EIGRP internal routes: AD 90, used for routing within the same autonomous system
Why wrong: EIGRP internal routes have AD 90, but the description is for OSPF or any IGP. EIGRP is also an IGP, but the question likely expects OSPF for that description. The AD is correct, but the use case is too generic and could apply to OSPF as well.
- D
OSPF routes: AD 110, used for routing within the same autonomous system
Why wrong: OSPF routes have AD 110, but the description is correct for any IGP. However, the correct answer for this pairing is EIGRP internal (AD 90) or OSPF (AD 110) depending on the AD. Since the question expects a specific match, this is incorrect because the AD and description do not uniquely pair.
Quick Answer
The correct answer pairs connected routes with an administrative distance of 0 for directly connected networks, static routes with AD 1, OSPF with AD 110, and EIGRP with AD 90, while floating static routes are configured with an AD higher than the primary dynamic protocol to serve as a backup. This is because administrative distance is a Cisco trust metric—lower values indicate more reliable route sources, so a directly connected interface is inherently the most trusted at AD 0, while OSPF and EIGRP have fixed defaults of 110 and 90 respectively. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this drag-and-drop matching exercise tests your ability to recall these default AD values and understand that a floating static route’s AD is not a fixed number but must be manually set above the dynamic protocol’s AD (e.g., above 110 for OSPF) to avoid becoming the primary route. A common trap is confusing static routes (AD 1) with floating static routes, which are simply static routes with a higher AD. Remember the mnemonic “C-S-E-O” for the order of trust: Connected (0), Static (1), EIGRP (90), OSPF (110).
CCNA IP Routing Practice Question
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. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. 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.
Drag and drop the route types on the left to the correct administrative distance and use case descriptions on the right.
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
Connected routes: AD 0, directly connected networks
Floating static routes do not have a fixed administrative distance; they are manually configured with an AD higher than the primary dynamic routing protocol's AD (e.g., higher than OSPF's 110 or EIGRP's 90) to serve as backup. Using AD 5 would make the route preferred over most dynamic protocols, defeating its backup purpose. The other pairings are correct: static and connected routes have AD 0/1, OSPF has AD 110, and a default route is a static route with AD 1 for unknown destinations.
Key principle: OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Connected routes: AD 0, directly connected networks
Why this is correct
Connected routes have an administrative distance of 0, meaning they are the most preferred. They represent networks directly attached to the router's interfaces.
Related concept
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
- ✗
Static routes: AD 1, manually configured by an administrator
Why it's wrong here
Static routes have an AD of 1, not 0. The description is correct, but the AD is wrong. Connected routes have AD 0.
- ✗
EIGRP internal routes: AD 90, used for routing within the same autonomous system
- ✗
OSPF routes: AD 110, used for routing within the same autonomous system
Why it's wrong here
OSPF routes have AD 110, but the description is correct for any IGP. However, the correct answer for this pairing is EIGRP internal (AD 90) or OSPF (AD 110) depending on the AD. Since the question expects a specific match, this is incorrect because the AD and description do not uniquely pair.
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.
✓Connected routes: AD 0, directly connected networksCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
Connected routes have an administrative distance of 0, meaning they are the most preferred. They represent networks directly attached to the router's interfaces.
✗Static routes: AD 1, manually configured by an administratorWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error: Static routes have AD 1, not 0.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might confuse static routes with connected routes because both are manually configured or directly known, but connected routes are automatically generated.
✗EIGRP internal routes: AD 90, used for routing within the same autonomous systemWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error: The description 'used for routing within the same autonomous system' is not unique to EIGRP; it applies to any IGP. The AD is correct, but the pairing is misleading.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think EIGRP internal routes are the only ones with AD 90, but the description is too broad and could match OSPF (AD 110) if the AD were different.
✗OSPF routes: AD 110, used for routing within the same autonomous systemWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error: OSPF has AD 110, but the description is not unique to OSPF; it also applies to EIGRP. The question likely expects a different pairing.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think OSPF is the only IGP with AD 110, but the description 'within the same autonomous system' is common to all IGPs, so it's not a distinguishing feature.
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: OSPF can fail even when IP connectivity looks correct
OSPF neighbour formation depends on matching areas, timers, network type, authentication and passive-interface behaviour. Do not choose an answer only because the devices can ping.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
OSPF questions usually test the details that control adjacency and route selection. Read the neighbour state, area, router ID and interface configuration before deciding what is wrong.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
- Router ID selection can affect neighbour relationships and LSDB output.
- OSPF cost influences the preferred path.
- A route can appear in OSPF information but not become the installed route.
TExam Day Tips
- Check area mismatch first when OSPF adjacency fails.
- Review passive interfaces when a network is advertised but no neighbour forms.
- Use show ip ospf neighbor and show ip route clues carefully.
Key takeaway
OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A network engineer at a university connects two campus buildings via a fibre link. Both routers run OSPF, but no adjacency forms — even though both routers can ping each other. The engineer finds one router is in area 0 and the other in area 1. OSPF adjacency requires matching area numbers, hello/dead timers, and network type. IP reachability alone is not enough.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related 200-301 OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
IP Routing — This question tests IP Routing — OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Connected routes: AD 0, directly connected networks — Floating static routes do not have a fixed administrative distance; they are manually configured with an AD higher than the primary dynamic routing protocol's AD (e.g., higher than OSPF's 110 or EIGRP's 90) to serve as backup. Using AD 5 would make the route preferred over most dynamic protocols, defeating its backup purpose. The other pairings are correct: static and connected routes have AD 0/1, OSPF has AD 110, and a default route is a static route with AD 1 for unknown destinations.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related 200-301 OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
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Last reviewed: Jun 6, 2026
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.
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