This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of ip routing. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. A key principle to apply: a static route configured with an exit interface is only installed in the routing table if the interface is operationally up and usable.. 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.
Exhibit
R1# show run | include ^ip route
ip route 10.200.0.0 255.255.0.0 Serial0/0/0
R1# show ip interface brief
Interface IP-Address OK? Method Status Protocol
Serial0/0/0 unassigned YES unset administratively down down
A router has a static route configured: ip route 10.200.0.0 255.255.0.0 GigabitEthernet0/1. The output of show ip interface brief shows that interface GigabitEthernet0/1 is administratively down. Why is the route to 10.200.0.0/16 present in the running configuration but absent from the routing table?
R1# show run | include ^ip route
ip route 10.200.0.0 255.255.0.0 Serial0/0/0
R1# show ip interface brief
Interface IP-Address OK? Method Status Protocol
Serial0/0/0 unassigned YES unset administratively down down
A
Because the route points to an interface that is administratively down.
This is correct because a route using an unusable exit path will not provide operational forwarding.
B
Because static routes cannot reference exit interfaces.
Why wrong: This is wrong because static routes can be configured with outgoing interfaces.
C
Because the destination must be a /24, not a /16.
Why wrong: This is wrong because the issue shown is interface state, not the destination mask.
D
Because static routes require NTP before installation.
Why wrong: This is wrong because time synchronization is unrelated to static-route installation.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Because the route points to an interface that is administratively down.
The static route is absent because the outgoing interface is down. In practical terms, when a static route depends on an interface that is not operational, the router cannot use that path, so the route is not installed as usable forwarding state. The configuration line alone is not enough; the forwarding path also has to be viable.
This is a realistic static-route troubleshooting pattern because it distinguishes between configured intent and operational state.
Key principle: A static route configured with an exit interface is only installed in the routing table if the interface is operationally up and usable.
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 route points to an interface that is administratively down.
Why this is correct
This is correct because a route using an unusable exit path will not provide operational forwarding.
Related concept
A static route configured with an exit interface is only installed in the routing table if the interface is operationally up and usable.
✗
Because static routes cannot reference exit interfaces.
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because static routes can be configured with outgoing interfaces.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario, if a question asked about a router configuration where static routes were incorrectly set up to reference non-existent or misconfigured interfaces, then this option could be correct. For example, if the question specified that the static route was configured to point to an interface that does not exist, it would validate this option.
✗
Because the destination must be a /24, not a /16.
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because the issue shown is interface state, not the destination mask.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different question setup, if the question specified that static routes were only allowed for /24 networks due to specific router limitations or configurations, then this option would be correct. For example, a question could state that the router only supports /24 static routes for routing to specific subnets.
✗
Because static routes require NTP before installation.
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because time synchronization is unrelated to static-route installation.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario, if a question stated that a static route was not being installed because the router was unable to synchronize its clock with an NTP server, then this option would be correct. For example, if the question involved time-sensitive routing protocols that depend on accurate timestamps.
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 route points to an interface that is administratively down.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
This is correct because a route using an unusable exit path will not provide operational forwarding.
✗Because static routes cannot reference exit interfaces.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This option is incorrect because static routes can reference exit interfaces; they are commonly used to specify the next-hop IP address or an interface for routing traffic. Therefore, the absence of the route in the routing table is not due to this limitation.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario, if a question asked about a router configuration where static routes were incorrectly set up to reference non-existent or misconfigured interfaces, then this option could be correct. For example, if the question specified that the static route was configured to point to an interface that does not exist, it would validate this option.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may choose this option due to a misunderstanding of static route configurations, believing that there are restrictions on referencing interfaces, especially if they have encountered scenarios where misconfigurations led to routing issues.
✗Because the destination must be a /24, not a /16.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This option is incorrect because static routes can reference exit interfaces of any subnet mask, including /16. The routing table can accept routes with various subnet masks, not limited to /24.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different question setup, if the question specified that static routes were only allowed for /24 networks due to specific router limitations or configurations, then this option would be correct. For example, a question could state that the router only supports /24 static routes for routing to specific subnets.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may choose this option due to a misunderstanding of subnetting rules and the belief that static routes are restricted to certain subnet masks, leading them to incorrectly assume that a /16 is invalid.
✗Because static routes require NTP before installation.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This option is incorrect because static routes can reference exit interfaces; they do not require NTP for installation. The absence of the route in the routing table is due to other factors, such as the interface being down.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario, if a question stated that a static route was not being installed because the router was unable to synchronize its clock with an NTP server, then this option would be correct. For example, if the question involved time-sensitive routing protocols that depend on accurate timestamps.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may be tempted by this option due to a misunderstanding of the requirements for static routes and the role of NTP in network configurations, leading them to incorrectly associate time synchronization with routing issues.
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 frequent exam trap is to confuse the presence of a static route in the configuration with its presence in the routing table. Candidates often overlook the fact that a static route pointing to an administratively down interface will not be installed, leading to the mistaken belief that the route is missing due to mask length or protocol requirements. Another trap is assuming static routes cannot use exit interfaces or require time synchronization, which is false. This question tests the candidate's understanding of the difference between configured routes and operationally valid routes, focusing on interface state as the critical factor for route installation.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
This is wrong because the issue shown is interface state, not the destination mask.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Static routing is a fundamental routing method where network administrators manually configure routes to specify the path packets should take to reach a destination network. When a static route is configured using an exit interface, the router relies on that interface being operationally up to forward traffic. If the interface is down, the router considers the route unusable and does not install it into the routing table, even though the configuration exists. This behavior ensures that traffic is not sent into a black hole or lost due to an invalid forwarding path.
Cisco routers evaluate static routes with exit interfaces by checking the interface state before installing the route into the routing table. If the interface is administratively down or physically down, the static route is suppressed from the routing table. This rule applies regardless of the subnet mask or other route parameters. The router requires a valid, active exit interface to guarantee that packets can be forwarded correctly. This mechanism helps maintain routing integrity and prevents routing loops or unreachable destinations.
A common exam trap is to assume that static routes are always installed once configured or that subnet mask length affects route installation. In reality, the operational state of the exit interface is the gating factor. Additionally, some candidates mistakenly believe that static routes require NTP synchronization or that static routes cannot reference interfaces, both of which are incorrect. Understanding that the routing table reflects only usable routes helps in troubleshooting and exam scenarios, distinguishing between configuration intent and actual forwarding capability.
KKey Concepts to Remember
A static route configured with an exit interface is only installed in the routing table if the interface is operationally up and usable.
Cisco routers do not install static routes pointing to administratively down interfaces because the forwarding path is considered invalid.
Static routes can reference either a next-hop IP address or an exit interface, but the interface must be active for the route to be valid.
The routing table reflects the operational state of routes, not just their configuration presence, ensuring only viable paths are used for forwarding.
Administrative shutdown of an interface prevents any routes relying on that interface from being installed in the routing table.
Static routes do not require time synchronization protocols like NTP for installation or operation.
The subnet mask length in a static route does not affect its installation if the exit interface is down; interface state is the critical factor.
Understanding the difference between route configuration and route installation is essential for troubleshooting static routing issues.
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
A static route configured with an exit interface is only installed in the routing table if the interface is operationally up and usable.
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 a static route configured with an exit interface is only installed in the routing table if the interface is operationally up and usable., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
IP Routing — This question tests IP Routing — A static route configured with an exit interface is only installed in the routing table if the interface is operationally up and usable..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Because the route points to an interface that is administratively down. — The static route is absent because the outgoing interface is down. In practical terms, when a static route depends on an interface that is not operational, the router cannot use that path, so the route is not installed as usable forwarding state. The configuration line alone is not enough; the forwarding path also has to be viable.
This is a realistic static-route troubleshooting pattern because it distinguishes between configured intent and operational state.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review a static route configured with an exit interface is only installed in the routing table if the interface is operationally up and usable., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
A static route configured with an exit interface is only installed in the routing table if the interface is operationally up and usable.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.