CCNA IP Routing Practice Question
Exhibit
R1# show run | include ip route|default-information ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 198.51.100.2 250 R1# show ip route O*E2 0.0.0.0/0 [110/1] via 192.0.2.2
Why is R1 not installing the floating static default route into the routing table?
⚠ Common exam trap
A frequent exam trap is assuming that a static default route must always appear in the routing table regardless of other routes. Candidates often think the floating static route is missing or misconfigured when it is simply suppressed due to its higher administrative distance compared to the OSPF default route. This misunderstanding leads to incorrect troubleshooting steps or answer choices. Remember, floating static routes are designed to be backup routes and only become active when the primary route is unavailable, so their absence in the routing table under normal conditions is expected behavior.
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
✓
Because the OSPF default route has a lower administrative distance than the floating static route.
The floating static default route is not installed because the primary default route is already present and has a lower administrative distance. In practical terms, a floating static route is meant to sit in reserve and appear only when the preferred route is unavailable. Since the OSPF default route is active and has a better administrative distance, the backup route is not used yet. This is a classic route-preference question. The key idea is not just that a static route exists, but that a higher-distance static route is intentionally designed to lose until the primary path disappears.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Because the OSPF default route has a lower administrative distance than the floating static route.
Why this is correct
The OSPF default route has an AD of 110, while a floating static route is intentionally configured with a higher AD, such as 200. Because the router prefers lower AD, OSPF's default is installed in the routing table. The floating static route remains in the configuration as a backup and only becomes active if OSPF fails or the OSPF default disappears.
- ✗
Because static default routes can never be used when OSPF is enabled.
Why it's wrong here
Static default routes and OSPF can coexist. OSPF's administrative distance (110) is lower than the floating static default's AD (often 200), so OSPF is preferred while it is alive. If OSPF fails, the static default will be installed. There is no prohibition against using both. The selection depends solely on the AD values and route availability.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different exam scenario, if the question stated that static routes are not allowed in a specific routing protocol configuration or that the router is configured to only use OSPF for routing, then this option could be correct.
- ✗
Because the static default route must use a /24 mask instead of 0.0.0.0.
Why it's wrong here
The claim that a static default route must use a /24 mask misinterprets default route semantics. A default route uniquely matches any destination by using the all-zero network 0.0.0.0 with a /0 prefix length. Changing to a /24 would restrict the route to the 0.0.0.0/24 range, which is not a default route and would not match all destinations. So the issue is not mask length but administrative distance.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different question setup where the exam asks about the configuration of static routes specifically requiring a subnet mask, this option could be correct if the question states that a static default route must use a specific subnet mask instead of the default 0.0.0.0.
- ✗
Because the next hop of a floating route must be a loopback address.
Why it's wrong here
A floating static route is defined by having a greater administrative distance than the primary route, not by any special next-hop requirement. The next hop can be any valid IPv4 address or interface, including a physical interface or an IP learned via OSPF. Loopback addresses are only one type of next hop and are not mandatory. The failure to install is due to AD comparison, not next-hop type.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different exam scenario, if the question specified that a floating static route could only be configured with a next hop that is a loopback interface, then this option would be correct. For example, if the question stated that the router's configuration only allows loopback addresses for floating routes, this would validate option D.
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.
✓Because the OSPF default route has a lower administrative distance than the floating static route.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
The OSPF default route has an AD of 110, while a floating static route is intentionally configured with a higher AD, such as 200. Because the router prefers lower AD, OSPF's default is installed in the routing table. The floating static route remains in the configuration as a backup and only becomes active if OSPF fails or the OSPF default disappears.
✗Because static default routes can never be used when OSPF is enabled.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Static default routes and OSPF default routes can coexist on the same router. The router selects the route with the lowest administrative distance, so a static default route with a lower AD than OSPF would be installed. The statement is false because OSPF does not prevent static routes from being used.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different exam scenario, if the question stated that static routes are not allowed in a specific routing protocol configuration or that the router is configured to only use OSPF for routing, then this option could be correct.
Why candidates choose this
Students may mistakenly think that enabling a dynamic routing protocol like OSPF disables all static routes, confusing the concept of route preference with protocol exclusivity.
✗Because the static default route must use a /24 mask instead of 0.0.0.0.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A default route is defined by destination 0.0.0.0 and mask 0.0.0.0, which matches any destination. Using a /24 mask would create a specific route, not a default route. The configuration in the question likely uses the correct all-zero mask, so this is not the reason.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different question setup where the exam asks about the configuration of static routes specifically requiring a subnet mask, this option could be correct if the question states that a static default route must use a specific subnet mask instead of the default 0.0.0.0.
Why candidates choose this
Students may confuse the mask for a default route with the mask for a network route, thinking that a default route must have a non-zero mask to be valid.
✗Because the next hop of a floating route must be a loopback address.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Floating static routes can use any valid next-hop IP address, such as an interface IP or a directly connected neighbor. There is no requirement for the next hop to be a loopback address. The issue is about administrative distance, not next-hop type.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different exam scenario, if the question specified that a floating static route could only be configured with a next hop that is a loopback interface, then this option would be correct. For example, if the question stated that the router's configuration only allows loopback addresses for floating routes, this would validate option D.
Why candidates choose this
Some students might recall that loopback interfaces are often used for stability in routing protocols, leading them to incorrectly assume that floating static routes also require loopback next hops.
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
OSPF
OSPF is a link-state routing protocol that uses the SPF algorithm to compute the shortest path to each destination within a single autonomous system.
Key term
OSPF
OSPF is a link-state routing protocol used to find the best path for data packets to travel across IP networks, like a smart GPS that recalculates routes when traffic changes.
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JA
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.