Question 1mediumdrag order
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Quick Answer
The correct order begins with entering interface configuration mode, because all HSRP commands are applied at the interface level, making this the foundational step. This sequence is critical because HSRP priority and preemption configuration must follow the logical build of a Layer 3 interface: you first assign a physical IPv4 address, then set HSRP version 2 to support extended group numbers, define the group and virtual IP, and finally set priority and enable preemption to control the active router election. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this drag-and-drop task tests your understanding that preemption only works after priority is set, and that verification with `show standby` must come last to confirm the election outcome. A common trap is placing preemption before priority or forgetting that version 2 must be set before the group number. Remember the mnemonic “IP-VIP-Pre-Verify” — Interface, IP, Version, Virtual IP, Priority/Preemption, Verify.
CCNA IP Routing Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of ip routing. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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 following steps into the correct order to configure and verify HSRP on a router interface.
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
✓
Enter interface configuration mode for the target interface.
The correct order begins by entering interface configuration mode, because all HSRP commands are applied at the interface level. Next, assign a physical IPv4 address to the interface, as HSRP requires a Layer 3 interface with an IP address to function. Set HSRP version 2 before defining the HSRP group to ensure compatibility with extended group numbers and newer features. Then configure the HSRP group number and virtual IP address to create the standby group. After that, set the router’s priority and enable preemption; these steps customize the active/standby election process. Finally, verify the configuration with the show standby command to confirm HSRP operation.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related 200-301 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
IP Routing — This question tests IP Routing — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enter interface configuration mode for the target interface. — The correct order begins by entering interface configuration mode, because all HSRP commands are applied at the interface level. Next, assign a physical IPv4 address to the interface, as HSRP requires a Layer 3 interface with an IP address to function. Set HSRP version 2 before defining the HSRP group to ensure compatibility with extended group numbers and newer features. Then configure the HSRP group number and virtual IP address to create the standby group. After that, set the router’s priority and enable preemption; these steps customize the active/standby election process. Finally, verify the configuration with the show standby command to confirm HSRP operation.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related 200-301 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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 →
Same concept, more angles
3 more ways this is tested on 200-301
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Drag and drop the following steps into the correct order to configure HSRP on an interface and verify the active/standby election process, including failover and verification.
medium- ✓ A.Enter interface configuration mode, set HSRP version, configure virtual IP, set priority (if needed), enable preempt, then verify with 'show standby'.
- ✓ B.Enter global configuration mode, create a VLAN, assign an IP address, then enable HSRP on the VLAN interface.
- ✓ C.Configure HSRP priority first, then set the virtual IP, then enter interface configuration mode, and finally verify with 'show running-config'.
- ✓ D.Enable HSRP globally with a 'router hsrp' command, then assign the virtual IP on the interface, and verify with 'debug standby'.
Why A: The correct order for HSRP configuration is step A: first enter interface configuration mode, set HSRP version, configure the virtual IP, optionally set priority to influence active router selection, enable preempt to allow the higher-priority router to reclaim active role, and verify with 'show standby' to see real-time roles and states. Step B is incorrect because HSRP is configured per interface, not via global configuration and VLAN creation; the virtual IP is set on the interface, not on a VLAN. Step C is wrong because priority should be set after entering interface configuration mode, not before, and verification should use 'show standby' not 'show running-config'. Step D is invalid because there is no global 'router hsrp' command; HSRP configuration is done directly on the interface, and 'debug standby' is not a reliable verification command. 'show standby' is the standard command to verify active/standby status.
Variation 2. Drag and drop the following steps into the correct order to configure HSRP on a router and verify the active/standby election process.
medium- ✓ A.1. Enter interface configuration mode on the desired interface. 2. Configure the HSRP group number and virtual IP address using the 'standby group-number ip virtual-ip' command. 3. Set the HSRP priority using the 'standby group-number priority priority-value' command. 4. Enable preemption using the 'standby group-number preempt' command. 5. Verify the HSRP state using 'show standby' or 'show standby brief'. 6. Test failover by shutting down the active router's interface and observing the state change.
- ✓ B.1. Enter interface configuration mode. 2. Set the HSRP priority. 3. Configure the HSRP group number and virtual IP. 4. Enable preemption. 5. Test failover. 6. Verify the HSRP state.
- ✓ C.1. Enter interface configuration mode. 2. Configure the HSRP group number and virtual IP. 3. Enable preemption. 4. Set the HSRP priority. 5. Verify the HSRP state. 6. Test failover.
- ✓ D.1. Enter interface configuration mode. 2. Set the HSRP priority. 3. Enable preemption. 4. Configure the HSRP group number and virtual IP. 5. Verify the HSRP state. 6. Test failover.
Why A: The order begins with interface and HSRP group configuration, then priority and preempt. Verification shows the current state, and failover testing validates the election process works correctly.
Variation 3. Drag and drop the following steps into the correct order to configure and verify HSRP with priority and preemption on an interface.
medium- ✓ A.Enter interface configuration mode for the target interface (e.g., interface GigabitEthernet0/0).
- ✓ B.Assign an IPv4 address and subnet mask to the interface.
- ✓ C.Create the HSRP group and associate a virtual IP address (e.g., standby 1 ip 10.1.1.1).
- ✓ D.Configure the HSRP priority to a value higher than the default to influence the active election (e.g., standby 1 priority 110).
- ✓ E.Enable the preempt option so the router can assume the active role when its priority is higher (e.g., standby 1 preempt).
- ✓ F.Exit to privileged EXEC mode and verify the HSRP state using the show standby command.
Why A: First, enter interface configuration mode to start configuring the specific interface. Next, assign an IP address because HSRP requires a real IP on the interface for communication between HSRP routers. After that, define the HSRP group and virtual IP, which clients use as their default gateway. Then set a higher priority to influence the active router election; priority must be configured before enabling preemption, as preemption relies on priority to determine when to take over. Finally, exit configuration mode and verify with show standby to confirm the HSRP state.
Last reviewed: Jun 14, 2026
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