CCNA IP Routing Practice Question

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

• ✓

  Enter interface configuration mode for the target interface (e.g., interface GigabitEthernet0/0).

  Why this is correct

  HSRP is configured on the Layer 3 interface that faces the client VLAN, so you must first enter interface configuration mode for that specific interface, e.g., interface GigabitEthernet0/0. No other global HSRP configuration exists; all standby commands are executed under the interface. This sets the context so the HSRP group mappings apply to that physical or subinterface's IP segment.

• ✓

  Assign an IPv4 address and subnet mask to the interface.

  Why this is correct

  The interface must have a real, routable IPv4 address and matching subnet mask before HSRP can be enabled, because the virtual IP address must belong to the same subnet as the interface's own address. HSRP uses the interface IP for neighbor communication and as the source address for hello messages. Without this assigned address, the interface is administratively/operationally down and the standby process will not run.

• ✓

  Create the HSRP group and associate a virtual IP address (e.g., standby 1 ip 10.1.1.1).

  Why this is correct

  The standby 1 ip 10.1.1.1 command creates HSRP group 1 and associates the virtual IP address that hosts will use as their default gateway. The group number is locally significant, but both routers in a redundant pair must use the same group number to exchange hellos and elect the active router. The virtual IP must be in the same subnet as the interface IP and should not be assigned to any device as a physical address.

• ✓

  Configure the HSRP priority to a value higher than the default to influence the active election (e.g., standby 1 priority 110).

  Why this is correct

  By default HSRP priority is 100, and the router with the highest priority wins the active role during election. Setting standby 1 priority 110 raises that router's preference, ensuring it becomes active if it is the first to initialize or has preempt configured. Priority is the first criterion in the election; if priorities are equal, the highest configured IP address on the interface is used as the tiebreaker.

• ✓

  Enable the preempt option so the router can assume the active role when its priority is higher (e.g., standby 1 preempt).

  Why this is correct

  Enabling preempt with standby 1 preempt allows a router that has a higher priority to take over the active role from an existing active router after both have been running. Without preempt, the initial election may have picked a router whose priority is lower, and the higher-priority router would remain in standby indefinitely. Preempt makes the virtual IP ownership deterministic, so the preferred router assumes forwarding whenever it is operational.

• ✓

  Exit to privileged EXEC mode and verify the HSRP state using the show standby command.

  Why this is correct

  After exiting to privileged EXEC mode, the show standby command displays HSRP group state (Active/Standby), virtual IP, local priority, preempt status, and timer values for each interface. This verification confirms that the configured settings have taken effect and that the router has reached the intended role. You can use show standby brief for a concise summary if the full output is verbose.