- A
A floating static route uses a higher administrative distance than the primary route to provide backup connectivity.
Floating static routes are backup routes; they are configured with an AD higher than the primary route so they are only used when the primary fails.
- B
An IPv6 static route using a link-local next-hop address must include both the next-hop address and the outgoing interface.
Because link-local addresses can exist on multiple links, the outgoing interface must be specified to provide context.
- C
In IPv6, the default route prefix is 0.0.0.0/0.
Why wrong: This is the IPv4 default prefix. IPv6 default is ::/0.
- D
For a floating static route to be installed in the routing table, it must have an administrative distance lower than that of the primary route.
Why wrong: A lower AD would make it more preferred, contradicting the backup role.
- E
An IPv4 static route will only be inserted into the routing table if its next-hop IP address belongs to a directly connected subnet.
Why wrong: The next-hop needs to be reachable, but it can be resolved via recursive lookup through another route.
CCNA IP Routing Practice Question
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. 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.
Which TWO statements about IPv4 and IPv6 static routes, including floating static routes, are correct?
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
A floating static route uses a higher administrative distance than the primary route to provide backup connectivity.
Option A is correct because a floating static route is configured with a higher administrative distance (AD) than the primary route. This ensures the floating route is only used when the primary route fails, as the router prefers routes with lower AD values. For example, if the primary route has an AD of 1 (static route default), the floating static route might be set to AD 200, making it a backup.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
A floating static route uses a higher administrative distance than the primary route to provide backup connectivity.
Why this is correct
Floating static routes are backup routes; they are configured with an AD higher than the primary route so they are only used when the primary fails.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
An IPv6 static route using a link-local next-hop address must include both the next-hop address and the outgoing interface.
Why this is correct
Because link-local addresses can exist on multiple links, the outgoing interface must be specified to provide context.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
In IPv6, the default route prefix is 0.0.0.0/0.
Why it's wrong here
This is the IPv4 default prefix. IPv6 default is ::/0.
- ✗
For a floating static route to be installed in the routing table, it must have an administrative distance lower than that of the primary route.
Why it's wrong here
A lower AD would make it more preferred, contradicting the backup role.
- ✗
An IPv4 static route will only be inserted into the routing table if its next-hop IP address belongs to a directly connected subnet.
Why it's wrong here
The next-hop needs to be reachable, but it can be resolved via recursive lookup through another route.
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.
✓A floating static route uses a higher administrative distance than the primary route to provide backup connectivity.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
Floating static routes are backup routes; they are configured with an AD higher than the primary route so they are only used when the primary fails.
✗In IPv6, the default route prefix is 0.0.0.0/0.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
0.0.0.0/0 is the IPv4 default route; the correct IPv6 default prefix is ::/0.
✗For a floating static route to be installed in the routing table, it must have an administrative distance lower than that of the primary route.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A floating static route must have a higher AD, not lower, so that it is less preferred and only installed when the primary (lower AD) route is lost.
✗An IPv4 static route will only be inserted into the routing table if its next-hop IP address belongs to a directly connected subnet.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Cisco IOS requires the next-hop to be reachable, but it does not have to be directly connected. As long as a route exists to reach that next-hop (even recursively), the static route can be installed.
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
Cisco often tests the distinction between IPv4 and IPv6 default route prefixes (0.0.0.0/0 vs ::/0) and the requirement for specifying the outgoing interface with IPv6 link-local next-hop addresses, which candidates frequently confuse.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Floating static routes leverage administrative distance to provide path redundancy without dynamic routing protocols. For IPv6, when using a link-local next-hop address, the router requires both the next-hop address and the outgoing interface because link-local addresses are unique only per link, and the interface ensures proper forwarding. In real-world scenarios, floating static routes are often used in branch offices to failover from a primary WAN link to a backup link, such as from a leased line to a cellular connection.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
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
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A network engineer segments a warehouse floor into three subnets: 20 scanners, 5 printers, and 2 management hosts. Picking the wrong mask wastes addresses or leaves too few usable hosts. Exam questions test whether you can apply CIDR notation, calculate block size, and identify the correct usable-host range for a given prefix.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
IP Routing — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
IP Routing practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All 200-301 questions
1,819 questions across all exam domains
- →
CCNA 200-301 v2 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
200-301 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related 200-301 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Network Infrastructure and Connectivity practice questions
Practise 200-301 questions linked to Network Infrastructure and Connectivity.
Switching and Network Access practice questions
Practise 200-301 questions linked to Switching and Network Access.
IP Routing practice questions
Practise 200-301 questions linked to IP Routing.
Network Services and Security practice questions
Practise 200-301 questions linked to Network Services and Security.
AI and Network Operations practice questions
Practise 200-301 questions linked to AI and Network Operations.
CCNA subnetting practice questions
Practise IPv4 subnetting, CIDR, masks, host ranges and subnet selection.
CCNA OSPF practice questions
Practise OSPF neighbours, router IDs, metrics, areas and routing-table interpretation.
CCNA VLAN practice questions
Practise VLANs, access ports, trunks, allowed VLANs and switching scenarios.
CCNA STP practice questions
Practise spanning tree, root bridge election, port roles and STP troubleshooting.
CCNA EtherChannel practice questions
Practise LACP, PAgP, port-channel behaviour and bundle requirements.
CCNA ACL practice questions
Practise standard and extended ACLs, permit/deny logic and traffic filtering.
CCNA NAT practice questions
Practise static NAT, dynamic NAT, PAT and inside/outside address translation.
Practice this exam
Start a free 200-301 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
IP Routing — This question tests IP Routing — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: A floating static route uses a higher administrative distance than the primary route to provide backup connectivity. — Option A is correct because a floating static route is configured with a higher administrative distance (AD) than the primary route. This ensures the floating route is only used when the primary route fails, as the router prefers routes with lower AD values. For example, if the primary route has an AD of 1 (static route default), the floating static route might be set to AD 200, making it a backup.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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 →
Keep practising
More 200-301 practice questions
- A switchport connected to another switch should carry multiple VLANs, but it was manually configured as an access port.…
- What problem is HSRP designed to solve?
- Which TWO statements correctly describe the causes or implications of CRC errors, runts, giants, or output errors as see…
- You are connected to R1. Configure IPv4 and IPv6 addressing on R1's interfaces and verify reachability to R2. The curren…
- Which TWO statements accurately describe how AI/ML concepts are applied to network operations in modern enterprise netwo…
- Which TWO switch port configurations are required when connecting a Cisco IP phone and a desktop PC to a single access p…
Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
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.