- A
1. Configure the interface with an IP address. 2. Set the HSRP virtual IP address. 3. Configure the HSRP priority. 4. Enable HSRP preempt. 5. Verify HSRP status. 6. Test failover.
This order follows the correct sequence: first configure the interface, then set the virtual IP, then adjust priority and preempt, then verify, and finally test failover. This ensures proper HSRP operation.
- B
1. Configure the interface with an IP address. 2. Set the HSRP virtual IP address. 3. Enable HSRP preempt. 4. Configure the HSRP priority. 5. Verify HSRP status. 6. Test failover.
Why wrong: This order is incorrect because preempt should be configured after priority. Preempt enables a router to take over as active if it has higher priority, so priority must be set first.
- C
1. Configure the interface with an IP address. 2. Configure the HSRP priority. 3. Set the HSRP virtual IP address. 4. Enable HSRP preempt. 5. Verify HSRP status. 6. Test failover.
Why wrong: This order is incorrect because the virtual IP must be set before priority and preempt. HSRP priority and preempt are configured under the HSRP configuration mode, which requires the virtual IP to be defined first.
- D
1. Configure the HSRP virtual IP address. 2. Configure the interface with an IP address. 3. Configure the HSRP priority. 4. Enable HSRP preempt. 5. Verify HSRP status. 6. Test failover.
Why wrong: This order is incorrect because the interface must be configured with an IP address before HSRP can be enabled. HSRP is configured on the interface, so the interface must exist and have an IP address first.
CCNA IP Routing Practice Question
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. 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 HSRP on a Cisco IOS-XE router, including priority, preempt, virtual IP, and then verify the active/standby election and failover process.
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
1. Configure the interface with an IP address. 2. Set the HSRP virtual IP address. 3. Configure the HSRP priority. 4. Enable HSRP preempt. 5. Verify HSRP status. 6. Test failover.
First, the interface is configured. Then the virtual IP is set, followed by priority and preempt. Verification confirms the election, and failover testing demonstrates the preempt mechanism works.
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.
- ✓
1. Configure the interface with an IP address. 2. Set the HSRP virtual IP address. 3. Configure the HSRP priority. 4. Enable HSRP preempt. 5. Verify HSRP status. 6. Test failover.
Why this is correct
This order follows the correct sequence: first configure the interface, then set the virtual IP, then adjust priority and preempt, then verify, and finally test failover. This ensures proper HSRP operation.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
1. Configure the interface with an IP address. 2. Set the HSRP virtual IP address. 3. Enable HSRP preempt. 4. Configure the HSRP priority. 5. Verify HSRP status. 6. Test failover.
Why it's wrong here
This order is incorrect because preempt should be configured after priority. Preempt enables a router to take over as active if it has higher priority, so priority must be set first.
- ✗
1. Configure the interface with an IP address. 2. Configure the HSRP priority. 3. Set the HSRP virtual IP address. 4. Enable HSRP preempt. 5. Verify HSRP status. 6. Test failover.
Why it's wrong here
This order is incorrect because the virtual IP must be set before priority and preempt. HSRP priority and preempt are configured under the HSRP configuration mode, which requires the virtual IP to be defined first.
- ✗
1. Configure the HSRP virtual IP address. 2. Configure the interface with an IP address. 3. Configure the HSRP priority. 4. Enable HSRP preempt. 5. Verify HSRP status. 6. Test failover.
Why it's wrong here
This order is incorrect because the interface must be configured with an IP address before HSRP can be enabled. HSRP is configured on the interface, so the interface must exist and have an IP address first.
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.
✓1. Configure the interface with an IP address. 2. Set the HSRP virtual IP address. 3. Configure the HSRP priority. 4. Enable HSRP preempt. 5. Verify HSRP status. 6. Test failover.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
This order follows the correct sequence: first configure the interface, then set the virtual IP, then adjust priority and preempt, then verify, and finally test failover. This ensures proper HSRP operation.
✗1. Configure the interface with an IP address. 2. Set the HSRP virtual IP address. 3. Enable HSRP preempt. 4. Configure the HSRP priority. 5. Verify HSRP status. 6. Test failover.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error is that preempt is enabled before priority is configured, which can cause unexpected election behavior.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think preempt is a standalone feature that can be enabled at any time, not realizing it depends on priority values.
✗1. Configure the interface with an IP address. 2. Configure the HSRP priority. 3. Set the HSRP virtual IP address. 4. Enable HSRP preempt. 5. Verify HSRP status. 6. Test failover.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error is that priority is configured before the virtual IP, which is not allowed in Cisco IOS configuration sequence.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might assume that priority is a global setting or can be set independently of the virtual IP, but it must be configured within the HSRP instance.
✗1. Configure the HSRP virtual IP address. 2. Configure the interface with an IP address. 3. Configure the HSRP priority. 4. Enable HSRP preempt. 5. Verify HSRP status. 6. Test failover.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error is that the virtual IP is set before the interface is configured, which is impossible because HSRP configuration is interface-specific.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think the virtual IP is a global parameter, but it is actually configured per interface and requires the interface to be operational.
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
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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 practitioner preparing for the 200-301 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which 200-301 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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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: 1. Configure the interface with an IP address. 2. Set the HSRP virtual IP address. 3. Configure the HSRP priority. 4. Enable HSRP preempt. 5. Verify HSRP status. 6. Test failover. — First, the interface is configured. Then the virtual IP is set, followed by priority and preempt. Verification confirms the election, and failover testing demonstrates the preempt mechanism works.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Identify which 200-301 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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 →
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Last reviewed: Jun 6, 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.
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