The answer is VRRP, as it is the only open standard FHRP protocol among the three, while HSRP and GLBP are both Cisco proprietary. This distinction is critical because VRRP, defined in RFC 5798, allows multi-vendor interoperability, whereas HSRP and GLBP lock you into Cisco hardware. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, you will often see a drag-and-drop task asking you to match FHRP protocol characteristics like proprietary status, load balancing support, and preemption behavior. A common trap is assuming all FHRP protocols support load balancing—only GLBP does, while HSRP and VRRP use an active-standby model. Remember that IRDP is not a true FHRP and is rarely tested. For a quick memory tip, think: “VRRP is Vendor-neutral, HSRP is Hot-Standby Cisco, and GLBP is the only one that Gives Load Balancing.”
CCNA IP Routing Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of ip routing. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 FHRP protocols on the left to their key characteristics on the right.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
VRRP
HSRP and GLBP are Cisco proprietary; VRRP is open standard. GLBP uniquely supports load balancing. IRDP is not a true FHRP. Virtual IP and preemption are common characteristics.
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.
✗
HSRP
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because HSRP is Cisco proprietary, not an open standard.
✓
VRRP
Why this is correct
Why this is correct: VRRP is an open standard FHRP defined in RFC 5798, allowing interoperability between different vendors.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
GLBP
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because GLBP is Cisco proprietary, not an open standard.
✗
IRDP
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because IRDP is not a true FHRP; it is a legacy protocol for router discovery without virtual IP or failover.
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.
✓VRRPCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
Why this is correct: VRRP is an open standard FHRP defined in RFC 5798, allowing interoperability between different vendors.
✗HSRPWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error: HSRP is a Cisco proprietary protocol, not an open standard.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates pick this because they confuse HSRP with VRRP, which is the open standard.
✗GLBPWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error: GLBP is a Cisco proprietary protocol, not an open standard.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates pick this because GLBP is less common and they may assume it is open standard like VRRP.
✗IRDPWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error: IRDP is not a first-hop redundancy protocol; it only advertises router IPs and does not provide failover or virtual IP.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates pick this because IRDP is sometimes mentioned alongside FHRPs, but it lacks key FHRP features.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 200-301 question in full detail.
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.
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: VRRP — HSRP and GLBP are Cisco proprietary; VRRP is open standard. GLBP uniquely supports load balancing. IRDP is not a true FHRP. Virtual IP and preemption are common characteristics.
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 →
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.
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.