Question 1hardmultiple choice
Full question →hardmultiple choiceObjective-mapped
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
Based on the exhibit, why is the static route to 10.200.0.0/16 present in the configuration but absent from 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
Best answer
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
Distractor review
Because static routes cannot reference exit interfaces.
This is wrong because static routes can be configured with outgoing interfaces.
C
Distractor review
Because the destination must be a /24, not a /16.
This is wrong because the issue shown is interface state, not the destination mask.
D
Distractor review
Because static routes require NTP before installation.
This is wrong because time synchronization is unrelated to static-route installation.
Common exam trap
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.
Technical deep dive
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.
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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 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?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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