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Question 339 of 1,052
hardmultiple choiceObjective-mapped
CCNA Practice Question: A network technician is troubleshooting a…
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of 200-301 exam topics. 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.
Exhibit
R1# show running-config | section ip route
ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 Serial0/0/0 10.1.1.2 1
ip route 192.168.2.0 255.255.255.0 Serial0/0/0 10.1.1.2 2
ip route 192.168.2.0 255.255.255.0 Serial0/0/1 10.2.2.2 1
R1# show ip route 192.168.2.1
Routing entry for 192.168.2.0/24
Known via "static", distance 1, metric 0
Routing Descriptor Blocks:
* 10.2.2.2, via Serial0/0/1
Route metric is 0, traffic share count is 1A network technician is troubleshooting a connectivity issue between two routers, R1 and R2, connected via serial links. Hosts on R1's LAN cannot ping the loopback interface of R2 (192.168.2.1). The technician examines R1's running configuration and routing table. What is the most likely cause of the failure?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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 static route to 192.168.2.0/24 is using an incorrect administrative distance, causing the router to prefer a non-functional path.
The correct answer is B. R1 has two static routes to 192.168.2.0/24: one with administrative distance 1 via Serial0/0/0 and one with administrative distance 2 via Serial0/0/1. The routing table shows that the route with distance 1 via Serial0/0/1 is installed, but this path may be down or malfunctioning. Since the default route (distance 1) points to Serial0/0/0, the router prefers the static route with lower administrative distance, even if its next-hop interface is down. The symptom of no ping to 192.168.2.1 indicates that the installed route is not functional. Option A is incorrect because the default route exists and is not the primary issue; the problem is the static route. Option C is incorrect because the routing table shows a valid entry, though it may not be working. Option D is incorrect because the configuration shows the static routes are present and the administrative distance values are valid.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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 default route is missing or misconfigured.
Why it's wrong here
The default route is present and configured correctly; however, the issue is with the specific static route to the destination network.
- ✓
The static route to 192.168.2.0/24 is using an incorrect administrative distance, causing the router to prefer a non-functional path.
Why this is correct
The static route with distance 1 via Serial0/0/1 is installed, but that interface may be down or the next-hop unreachable. The route with distance 2 via Serial0/0/0 is a backup, but it is not used because the lower distance path is still in the routing table despite being non-functional.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- ✗
The router does not have a route to 192.168.2.1 in the routing table.
Why it's wrong here
The routing table clearly shows an entry for 192.168.2.0/24, so the route is present. The problem is that the installed route is not working.
- ✗
The static routes are configured with the same administrative distance, causing a conflict.
Why it's wrong here
The two static routes have different administrative distances (1 and 2), so there is no conflict. The router selects the route with the lower distance.
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 static route to 192.168.2.0/24 is using an incorrect administrative distance, causing the router to prefer a non-functional path.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
The static route with distance 1 via Serial0/0/1 is installed, but that interface may be down or the next-hop unreachable. The route with distance 2 via Serial0/0/0 is a backup, but it is not used because the lower distance path is still in the routing table despite being non-functional.
✗The default route is missing or misconfigured.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The default route is not the primary cause because the destination is a specific network (192.168.2.0/24) that has its own static route.
✗The router does not have a route to 192.168.2.1 in the routing table.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The exhibit shows the route is in the routing table, so this option is factually incorrect.
✗The static routes are configured with the same administrative distance, causing a conflict.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The distances are different, so this is not a conflict. The issue is that the preferred route is not functional.
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: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The routing table clearly shows an entry for 192.168.2.0/24, so the route is present. The problem is that the installed route is not working.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
- Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
- NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
- Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
- Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
- Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 200-301 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The static route to 192.168.2.0/24 is using an incorrect administrative distance, causing the router to prefer a non-functional path. — The correct answer is B. R1 has two static routes to 192.168.2.0/24: one with administrative distance 1 via Serial0/0/0 and one with administrative distance 2 via Serial0/0/1. The routing table shows that the route with distance 1 via Serial0/0/1 is installed, but this path may be down or malfunctioning. Since the default route (distance 1) points to Serial0/0/0, the router prefers the static route with lower administrative distance, even if its next-hop interface is down. The symptom of no ping to 192.168.2.1 indicates that the installed route is not functional. Option A is incorrect because the default route exists and is not the primary issue; the problem is the static route. Option C is incorrect because the routing table shows a valid entry, though it may not be working. Option D is incorrect because the configuration shows the static routes are present and the administrative distance values are valid.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 200-301 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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