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. A key principle to apply: routing decisions in Cisco devices use longest-prefix match to select the most specific route to a destination IP address.. 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 ip route
R 172.31.80.0/24 [120/1] via 192.0.2.2
S 172.31.0.0/16 [1/0] via 192.0.2.6
Destination being tested: 172.31.80.10
Why does traffic to 172.31.80.10 use the RIP route (172.31.80.0/24) instead of the static route (172.31.0.0/16)?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Because the RIP /24 route is more specific than the static /16 route.
Traffic uses the RIP route because the static route is less specific than the RIP route. In practical terms, longest-prefix match is always evaluated first. Even though the static route is manually configured, the more specific RIP prefix wins because it describes the destination more precisely.
This is a strong route-selection item because it tests whether you can prioritize specificity ahead of route source preference.
Key principle: Routing decisions in Cisco devices use longest-prefix match to select the most specific route to a destination IP address.
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 RIP /24 route is more specific than the static /16 route.
Why this is correct
This is correct because longest-prefix match selects the /24 route for that destination.
Related concept
Routing decisions in Cisco devices use longest-prefix match to select the most specific route to a destination IP address.
✗
Because RIP always overrides static routing.
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because static routes can beat RIP when prefix length is the same or more specific.
When this WOULD be correct
In a scenario where a question states that a routing protocol has a lower administrative distance than static routes, and asks why a specific route is being used, option B would be correct. For example, if the question indicated that RIP had a lower administrative distance than the static route, then this option would accurately describe the behavior.
✗
Because static routes cannot be used for private IPv4 space.
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because static routes work perfectly well with private addressing.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different exam scenario, if the question asked whether static routes can be used with specific routing protocols in a network design involving public IPs only, option C could be correct if the context specified that static routes were not permitted for private addressing due to policy or design constraints.
✗
Because the static route is automatically removed whenever RIP is enabled.
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because the static route can still exist in the table for other matching cases.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario where a question states that static routes are configured with a specific command to be removed when a dynamic routing protocol like RIP is enabled, option D would be correct. For example, if the question specifies that the static route is configured with a 'remove' command upon RIP activation, then this option would apply.
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 RIP /24 route is more specific than the static /16 route.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
This is correct because longest-prefix match selects the /24 route for that destination.
✗Because RIP always overrides static routing.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
RIP does not always override static routes; the route selection is based on prefix length and administrative distance. If the static route had a longer prefix or lower administrative distance, it would be preferred over RIP.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a scenario where a question states that a routing protocol has a lower administrative distance than static routes, and asks why a specific route is being used, option B would be correct. For example, if the question indicated that RIP had a lower administrative distance than the static route, then this option would accurately describe the behavior.
Why candidates choose this
Students may mistakenly think that dynamic routing protocols always take precedence over static routes, but in reality, static routes can be preferred if they are more specific or have a lower administrative distance.
✗Because static routes cannot be used for private IPv4 space.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Static routes can be used for any IP address space, including private IPv4 addresses. There is no restriction that prevents static routes from being used with private addressing.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different exam scenario, if the question asked whether static routes can be used with specific routing protocols in a network design involving public IPs only, option C could be correct if the context specified that static routes were not permitted for private addressing due to policy or design constraints.
Why candidates choose this
Some test-takers might confuse private addressing with the fact that certain routing protocols (like BGP) have restrictions on private addresses, but static routes have no such limitation.
✗Because the static route is automatically removed whenever RIP is enabled.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Enabling RIP does not automatically remove static routes from the routing table. Static routes remain in the table unless they are manually removed or overridden by a more specific route.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario where a question states that static routes are configured with a specific command to be removed when a dynamic routing protocol like RIP is enabled, option D would be correct. For example, if the question specifies that the static route is configured with a 'remove' command upon RIP activation, then this option would apply.
Why candidates choose this
Students might think that enabling a dynamic routing protocol clears all static routes, but in Cisco IOS, static routes persist and can coexist with dynamic routes.
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 assuming that static routes always take precedence over RIP routes because static routes have a lower administrative distance. This misconception ignores the critical role of longest-prefix match in route selection. The router first selects the route with the most specific subnet mask before considering administrative distance. Therefore, a RIP route with a /24 mask will override a static route with a /16 mask for matching traffic. Another trap is thinking that enabling RIP disables or removes static routes, which is incorrect; static routes remain active unless explicitly removed or overridden by a more specific route.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Routing in Cisco devices fundamentally relies on the principle of longest-prefix match, where the router selects the route with the most specific subnet mask that matches the destination IP address. This means that even if a static route has a lower administrative distance, a dynamically learned route with a longer prefix length (more specific subnet) will be preferred. In this scenario, the RIP route with a /24 subnet mask is more specific than the static route with a /16 mask, so traffic destined for 172.31.80.10 matches the RIP route first.
The decision process for route selection in Cisco routers involves first identifying all routes that match the destination IP address. Among these, the router selects the route with the longest prefix length. If multiple routes have the same prefix length, the router then compares their administrative distances to choose the best path. Static routes have an administrative distance of 1, which is preferred over RIP's 120, but this only applies when prefix lengths are equal. Because the RIP route is more specific, it overrides the static route despite the higher administrative distance.
A common exam trap is assuming that static routes always override dynamic routes due to their lower administrative distance. However, this is only true when prefix lengths are equal. Another mistake is believing that enabling RIP removes static routes automatically, which is false; static routes remain unless manually removed or superseded by a more specific route. Practically, this behavior allows network engineers to use dynamic routing for specific subnets while maintaining broader static routes for general traffic, providing flexible and efficient routing control.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Routing decisions in Cisco devices use longest-prefix match to select the most specific route to a destination IP address.
Static routes have a fixed administrative distance of 1, which is lower than RIP's default administrative distance of 120, but prefix length takes priority in route selection.
RIP advertises routes with a /24 subnet mask that is more specific than a static route with a /16 mask, causing the RIP route to be preferred for matching destinations.
Cisco routers install the route with the longest matching prefix in the routing table regardless of whether it is learned dynamically or configured statically.
Static routes remain in the routing table unless explicitly removed or overridden by a more specific route, not simply by enabling a routing protocol like RIP.
Private IPv4 address space can be routed using both static and dynamic routing protocols without restriction.
Route preference is determined first by prefix specificity, then by administrative distance when prefix lengths are equal.
Understanding the interaction between route specificity and administrative distance is critical for troubleshooting routing behavior 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.
Key takeaway
Routing decisions in Cisco devices use longest-prefix match to select the most specific route to a destination IP address.
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 routing decisions in Cisco devices use longest-prefix match to select the most specific route to a destination IP address., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
IP Routing — This question tests IP Routing — Routing decisions in Cisco devices use longest-prefix match to select the most specific route to a destination IP address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Because the RIP /24 route is more specific than the static /16 route. — Traffic uses the RIP route because the static route is less specific than the RIP route. In practical terms, longest-prefix match is always evaluated first. Even though the static route is manually configured, the more specific RIP prefix wins because it describes the destination more precisely.
This is a strong route-selection item because it tests whether you can prioritize specificity ahead of route source preference.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review routing decisions in Cisco devices use longest-prefix match to select the most specific route to a destination IP address., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Routing decisions in Cisco devices use longest-prefix match to select the most specific route to a destination IP address.
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