CCNA IP Routing Practice Question
Exhibit
R1# show ip route
Codes: L - local, C - connected, S - static, R - RIP, M - mobile, B - BGP
D - EIGRP, EX - EIGRP external, O - OSPF, IA - OSPF inter area
N1 - OSPF NSSA external type 1, N2 - OSPF NSSA external type 2
E1 - OSPF external type 1, E2 - OSPF external type 2, E - EGP
i - IS-IS, su - IS-IS summary, L1 - IS-IS level-1, L2 - IS-IS level-2
ia - IS-IS inter area, * - candidate default, U - per-user static route
o - ODR, P - periodic downloaded static route
Gateway of last resort is not set
10.0.0.0/8 is variably subnetted, 3 subnets, 2 masks
S 10.10.10.0/24 [1/0] via 10.1.1.2
S 10.10.10.0/26 [1/0] via 10.2.2.2
C 10.1.1.0/24 is directly connected, GigabitEthernet0/1
L 10.1.1.1/32 is directly connected, GigabitEthernet0/1
C 10.2.2.0/24 is directly connected, GigabitEthernet0/2
L 10.2.2.1/32 is directly connected, GigabitEthernet0/2Refer to the exhibit. An engineer expects all traffic destined to the 10.10.10.0 network to be forwarded via 10.1.1.2. However, when testing connectivity to host 10.10.10.64, traffic is being sent to 10.2.2.2 instead. What is the most likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the misconception that administrative distance is the primary tiebreaker for route selection, but the trap here is that longest prefix match is always evaluated first, and only when prefix lengths are equal does administrative distance come into play.
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
✓
The router is using longest prefix matching; the /26 route is more specific, so traffic to 10.10.10.64 is forwarded via 10.2.2.2.
B is correct because routers use longest prefix matching to forward traffic. The route to 10.10.10.64/26 is more specific (longer prefix length) than the route to 10.10.10.0/24, so even though the /24 route may have a lower administrative distance, the /26 route is preferred for traffic destined to 10.10.10.64. This is a fundamental IP routing principle that overrides administrative distance when both routes exist in the routing table.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The static route to 10.10.10.0/24 has a higher administrative distance than the /26 route, making the /26 preferred.
Why it's wrong here
The exhibit shows both static routes with the same administrative distance value of 1, displayed as [1/0] in the routing table. Since the AD values are identical, a difference in administrative distance cannot be the reason the /26 route is preferred. Route selection between overlapping static routes is determined by the longest prefix match algorithm, not by AD, because AD only resolves competing routes to the exact same prefix.
- ✓
The router is using longest prefix matching; the /26 route is more specific, so traffic to 10.10.10.64 is forwarded via 10.2.2.2.
Why this is correct
The exhibit shows two overlapping static routes. The /26 prefix length is longer (more specific) than the /24. According to IP routing logic, the router selects the route with the longest matching prefix. The destination 10.10.10.64 falls within the /26 subnet, making it the preferred route.
- ✗
The /26 static route was configured as a floating static route with an administrative distance of 5, overriding the /24 route.
Why it's wrong here
A floating static route uses an administrative distance higher than 1 (such as 5) and would appear as [5/0] in the routing table. The exhibit shows [1/0] for the /26 route, confirming it is not a floating static route.
- ✗
The next-hop 10.1.1.2 for the /24 route is unreachable, causing the router to fall back to the /26 route.
Why it's wrong here
If the next-hop 10.1.1.2 were unreachable, the static route would not be installed in the routing table at all. Because it appears in the output, the next-hop is reachable, and the route is valid. No fallback is occurring; both routes are active.
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.
✓The router is using longest prefix matching; the /26 route is more specific, so traffic to 10.10.10.64 is forwarded via 10.2.2.2.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
The exhibit shows two overlapping static routes. The /26 prefix length is longer (more specific) than the /24. According to IP routing logic, the router selects the route with the longest matching prefix. The destination 10.10.10.64 falls within the /26 subnet, making it the preferred route.
✗The static route to 10.10.10.0/24 has a higher administrative distance than the /26 route, making the /26 preferred.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Misreading the administrative distance value in the routing table; candidates may overlook that both are the same.
✗The /26 static route was configured as a floating static route with an administrative distance of 5, overriding the /24 route.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Assuming that any backup route must be a floating static, without verifying the actual AD value in the exhibit.
✗The next-hop 10.1.1.2 for the /24 route is unreachable, causing the router to fall back to the /26 route.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Misconception that a route can be displayed yet be in a 'down' state; in reality, an invalid next-hop prevents the route from being 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?”
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Related to this question
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Key term
Routing table
A routing table is a data set stored in a router or host that contains information about network paths and is used to determine where to forward data packets.
Key term
Route
A route is a path that data takes through a network from one device or network to another, determined by routing protocols and configured rules.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.