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Question 321 of 1,052
mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
CCNA Practice Question: Is configuring HSRP on a pair of Cisco routers to…
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of 200-301 exam topics. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.
A network engineer is configuring HSRP on a pair of Cisco routers to provide first-hop redundancy for a subnet. The goal is to ensure that the router with the highest IPv4 address always becomes the active router, and that it automatically reclaims the active role after a failure. The engineer configures priority 100 on both routers. Which additional configuration is required to meet these objectives?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"first"Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Clue:
"always"Why it matters: Absolute qualifier. An answer using 'always' is only correct if there are genuinely no exceptions — absolute statements are often wrong in networking.
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
✓
Configure the preempt command on both routers.
The correct answer is B. In this scenario, both routers have the same priority (100), so HSRP uses the highest IP address to elect the active router, which meets the first objective. However, preempt is required to allow a router to reclaim the active role after it recovers from a failure; without preempt, the current active router (even with a lower IP) remains active. Option A would set different priorities, overriding the IP-based election. Option C would make both routers standby, preventing any active router. Option D is unnecessary because HSRP uses the IP address as a tiebreaker when priorities are equal, so no additional priority change is needed.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Configure priority 150 on one router and priority 50 on the other.
Why it's wrong here
This would force the router with priority 150 to be active, regardless of IP address, which contradicts the requirement to use the highest IPv4 address for election.
- ✓
Configure the preempt command on both routers.
Why this is correct
With equal priority, HSRP elects the active router based on the highest IP address. The preempt command ensures that if a router with a higher IP address (and equal priority) recovers after a failure, it will preempt the current active router and reclaim the active role, as required.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "first", "always" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- ✗
Configure the standby 1 priority 100 command on both routers.
Why it's wrong here
This is already implied by setting priority 100; it does not address the need for preemption. Both routers would remain in standby state without an active router because HSRP requires a priority difference or preempt to determine roles when priorities are equal.
- ✗
Configure the standby 1 priority 100 on one router and standby 1 priority 50 on the other.
Why it's wrong here
This changes the priorities, which would bypass the IP address-based election. The requirement explicitly states the router with the highest IPv4 address should become active, so priorities must remain equal.
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.
✓Configure the preempt command on both routers.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
With equal priority, HSRP elects the active router based on the highest IP address. The preempt command ensures that if a router with a higher IP address (and equal priority) recovers after a failure, it will preempt the current active router and reclaim the active role, as required.
✗Configure priority 150 on one router and priority 50 on the other.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
It overrides the IP-based election requirement.
✗Configure the standby 1 priority 100 command on both routers.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
It fails to establish an active router and does not enable preemption.
✗Configure the standby 1 priority 100 on one router and standby 1 priority 50 on the other.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
It contradicts the requirement to use the highest IP address for active election.
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: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
- Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
- The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
- Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
- Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
- Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A network engineer segments a warehouse floor into three subnets: 20 scanners, 5 printers, and 2 management hosts. Picking the wrong mask wastes addresses or leaves too few usable hosts. Exam questions test whether you can apply CIDR notation, calculate block size, and identify the correct usable-host range for a given prefix.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related 200-301 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure the preempt command on both routers. — The correct answer is B. In this scenario, both routers have the same priority (100), so HSRP uses the highest IP address to elect the active router, which meets the first objective. However, preempt is required to allow a router to reclaim the active role after it recovers from a failure; without preempt, the current active router (even with a lower IP) remains active. Option A would set different priorities, overriding the IP-based election. Option C would make both routers standby, preventing any active router. Option D is unnecessary because HSRP uses the IP address as a tiebreaker when priorities are equal, so no additional priority change is needed.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related 200-301 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first", "always". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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