- A
A default static route is used when no dynamic routing protocols are configured.
Why wrong: A default static route is used as a gateway of last resort for any destination not in the routing table, regardless of whether dynamic protocols are configured. It is not dependent on the absence of dynamic routing.
- B
A floating static route is configured with a higher administrative distance than the primary route.
A floating static route is a backup route that is installed in the routing table only when the primary route (with a lower AD) is not available. By assigning a higher AD, the router prefers the primary route when it is reachable.
- C
A floating static route must have a lower administrative distance than the primary route.
Why wrong: A floating static route is designed to be a backup; therefore, it must have a higher AD than the primary route so that the primary route is preferred.
- D
An IPv6 default static route uses the prefix ::/0.
The IPv6 default route is represented by the prefix ::/0, which matches any IPv6 destination. It is the equivalent of 0.0.0.0/0 in IPv4.
- E
An IPv6 static route can specify an IPv4 address as the next-hop.
Why wrong: IPv6 static routes require an IPv6 next-hop address. Using an IPv4 address would be invalid because the router would not be able to resolve it in the IPv6 routing table.
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 routing 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 is configured with a higher administrative distance than the primary route.
Option B is correct because a floating static route is configured with a higher administrative distance to serve as a backup when the primary route fails. Option D is correct because an IPv6 default static route uses the prefix ::/0 to match all destinations. Option A is incorrect because a default static route can be used independently of whether dynamic routing protocols are configured; it is simply a route with destination 0.0.0.0/0. Option C is incorrect because a floating static route must have a higher AD, not lower, than the primary route. Option E is incorrect because an IPv6 static route cannot specify an IPv4 address as the next-hop; it must use an IPv6 address or an outgoing interface.
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 default static route is used when no dynamic routing protocols are configured.
Why it's wrong here
A default static route is used as a gateway of last resort for any destination not in the routing table, regardless of whether dynamic protocols are configured. It is not dependent on the absence of dynamic routing.
- ✓
A floating static route is configured with a higher administrative distance than the primary route.
Why this is correct
A floating static route is a backup route that is installed in the routing table only when the primary route (with a lower AD) is not available. By assigning a higher AD, the router prefers the primary route when it is reachable.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
A floating static route must have a lower administrative distance than the primary route.
Why it's wrong here
A floating static route is designed to be a backup; therefore, it must have a higher AD than the primary route so that the primary route is preferred.
- ✓
An IPv6 default static route uses the prefix ::/0.
Why this is correct
The IPv6 default route is represented by the prefix ::/0, which matches any IPv6 destination. It is the equivalent of 0.0.0.0/0 in IPv4.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
An IPv6 static route can specify an IPv4 address as the next-hop.
Why it's wrong here
IPv6 static routes require an IPv6 next-hop address. Using an IPv4 address would be invalid because the router would not be able to resolve it in the IPv6 routing table.
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 is configured with a higher administrative distance than the primary route.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
A floating static route is a backup route that is installed in the routing table only when the primary route (with a lower AD) is not available. By assigning a higher AD, the router prefers the primary route when it is reachable.
✗A default static route is used when no dynamic routing protocols are configured.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A default static route is used as a gateway of last resort for any destination not in the routing table, regardless of whether dynamic routing protocols are configured. It is not dependent on the absence of dynamic routing.
Why candidates choose this
Students may think that default routes are only needed when there is no dynamic routing, but in reality, they are often used alongside dynamic routing to provide a backup path or to reach external networks.
✗A floating static route must have a lower administrative distance than the primary route.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A floating static route is designed to be a backup; therefore, it must have a higher AD than the primary route so that the primary route is preferred.
Why candidates choose this
Students often confuse administrative distance with metric, thinking that a lower AD means a better route, but for floating static routes, the backup must have a higher AD to be less preferred.
✗An IPv6 static route can specify an IPv4 address as the next-hop.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
IPv6 static routes require an IPv6 next-hop address. Using an IPv4 address would be invalid because the router would not be able to resolve it in the IPv6 routing table.
Why candidates choose this
Students may think that since routers can handle both IPv4 and IPv6, they can mix address families in static routes, but the next-hop must match the address family of the route.
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 misconception that a floating static route must have a lower administrative distance than the primary route, when in fact it must be higher to serve as a backup.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Administrative distance (AD) is a Cisco-proprietary metric used to rank the trustworthiness of routing information sources; for example, a directly connected route has an AD of 0, a static route defaults to 1, and OSPF has an AD of 110. By configuring a floating static route with an AD of, say, 200, it only becomes active in the routing table when the primary route (e.g., an OSPF-learned route with AD 110) is removed due to a link failure. In IPv6, the default static route uses the prefix ::/0, which matches any IPv6 destination, analogous to 0.0.0.0/0 in IPv4.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
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 is configured with a higher administrative distance than the primary route. — Option B is correct because a floating static route is configured with a higher administrative distance to serve as a backup when the primary route fails. Option D is correct because an IPv6 default static route uses the prefix ::/0 to match all destinations. Option A is incorrect because a default static route can be used independently of whether dynamic routing protocols are configured; it is simply a route with destination 0.0.0.0/0. Option C is incorrect because a floating static route must have a higher AD, not lower, than the primary route. Option E is incorrect because an IPv6 static route cannot specify an IPv4 address as the next-hop; it must use an IPv6 address or an outgoing interface.
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 →
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 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.