CCNA IP Routing Practice Question
Network Topology
You are connected to a multilayer switch MLS1. Configure a static default route for IPv4 that points to next-hop 192.0.2.2, but also configure a floating static default route with an administrative distance of 10 that uses next-hop 198.51.100.2. Additionally, configure a static host route for IPv6 host 2001:db8:1::10/128 via next-hop 2001:db8:1::1. The current configuration has a recursive routing failure for the IPv4 default route because the next-hop 192.0.2.2 is not reachable; you must first fix that by adding a directly connected static route. Ensure the floating route becomes active only when the primary route fails.
⚠ Common exam trap
Be careful with recursive routing failures: a static route with a next-hop that is not directly connected requires a route to that next-hop in the routing table. Always ensure the next-hop is reachable, either by a directly connected route or another static/dynamic route. Also, remember that a floating static route uses a higher administrative distance than the primary route, so it only becomes active when the primary route is removed.
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
✓
ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 192.0.2.2 ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 198.51.100.2 10 ip route 192.0.2.0 255.255.255.252 GigabitEthernet0/0 192.0.2.2 ipv6 route 2001:db8:1::10/128 2001:db8:1::1
The IPv4 primary default route fails because next-hop 192.0.2.2 is not directly connected and no recursive route exists to it. The floating static route with next-hop 198.51.100.2 is in the directly connected Vlan20 subnet (198.51.100.1/30), so it installs without issue. To fix the primary default route, add a directly connected static route for the network containing 192.0.2.2, e.g., ip route 192.0.2.0 255.255.255.252 GigabitEthernet0/0 192.0.2.2. The IPv6 host route is correct if next-hop 2001:db8:1::1 is reachable.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 192.0.2.2 ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 198.51.100.2 10 ip route 192.0.2.0 255.255.255.252 GigabitEthernet0/0 192.0.2.2 ipv6 route 2001:db8:1::10/128 2001:db8:1::1
Why this is correct
This configuration correctly adds a directly connected static route to the network containing 192.0.2.2 (using a /30 mask and the correct interface), which resolves the recursive routing failure for the primary default route. The floating static default route has AD 10, so it will only be used if the primary route (AD 1) is removed. The IPv6 host route is correctly configured.
- ✗
ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 192.0.2.2 ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 198.51.100.2 10 ip route 192.0.2.0 255.255.255.0 GigabitEthernet0/0 ipv6 route 2001:db8:1::10/128 2001:db8:1::1
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because the directly connected static route uses a /24 mask (255.255.255.0) instead of a /30 mask, which is too broad and may not match the exact subnet. Also, it omits the next-hop IP, which is required for a recursive route; without it, the route may not be installed correctly.
- ✗
ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 192.0.2.2 ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 198.51.100.2 10 ip route 192.0.2.2 255.255.255.255 GigabitEthernet0/0 ipv6 route 2001:db8:1::10/128 2001:db8:1::1
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because the directly connected static route uses a /32 mask (255.255.255.255) for the next-hop IP, which creates a host route to 192.0.2.2. While this would make 192.0.2.2 reachable, it is not the typical solution; a /30 route to the subnet is more appropriate and avoids potential issues with other hosts on the same link.
- ✗
ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 192.0.2.2 ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 198.51.100.2 10 ip route 192.0.2.0 255.255.255.252 198.51.100.2 ipv6 route 2001:db8:1::10/128 2001:db8:1::1
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because the directly connected static route uses the wrong next-hop (198.51.100.2) instead of 192.0.2.2. The route to reach 192.0.2.2 must point to a directly connected interface or a next-hop that is directly connected; using 198.51.100.2 does not help because that address is also not directly connected.
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.
✓ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 192.0.2.2 ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 198.51.100.2 10 ip route 192.0.2.0 255.255.255.252 GigabitEthernet0/0 192.0.2.2 ipv6 route 2001:db8:1::10/128 2001:db8:1::1Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
This configuration correctly adds a directly connected static route to the network containing 192.0.2.2 (using a /30 mask and the correct interface), which resolves the recursive routing failure for the primary default route. The floating static default route has AD 10, so it will only be used if the primary route (AD 1) is removed. The IPv6 host route is correctly configured.
✗ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 192.0.2.2 ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 198.51.100.2 10 ip route 192.0.2.0 255.255.255.0 GigabitEthernet0/0 ipv6 route 2001:db8:1::10/128 2001:db8:1::1Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error is using an incorrect subnet mask and omitting the next-hop IP in the directly connected static route. The mask should match the point-to-point link (typically /30 or /31), and the next-hop must be specified to ensure the route is directly connected.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think a /24 mask is acceptable because it includes the next-hop IP, but they forget that a static route to a directly connected network should use the exact prefix length of the interface subnet.
✗ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 192.0.2.2 ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 198.51.100.2 10 ip route 192.0.2.2 255.255.255.255 GigabitEthernet0/0 ipv6 route 2001:db8:1::10/128 2001:db8:1::1Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error is using a /32 mask instead of the subnet mask of the link. A /32 route to the next-hop IP is a valid workaround but is not the standard practice; the question expects a directly connected route to the network containing the next-hop, not a host route.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think a host route to the next-hop is sufficient to resolve the recursive routing failure, and it does work, but it is not the intended solution. The question asks for a 'directly connected static route' to the network, implying a subnet route.
✗ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 192.0.2.2 ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 198.51.100.2 10 ip route 192.0.2.0 255.255.255.252 198.51.100.2 ipv6 route 2001:db8:1::10/128 2001:db8:1::1Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error is using the floating route's next-hop as the next-hop for the directly connected route. The directly connected route must be to the network containing 192.0.2.2, not to the backup next-hop.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might confuse the two next-hops and think that pointing the directly connected route to the backup next-hop will somehow make the primary route work, but it does not resolve the recursive routing failure for 192.0.2.2.
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?”
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Related to this question
Learn chapter
OSPFv3 Single-Area Configuration for IPv6
Key term
Administrative distance
Administrative distance is a number that a router uses to decide which routing protocol's route to trust when it learns about the same destination from multiple different routing protocols.
Key term
IPv6
IPv6 is the most recent version of the Internet Protocol, designed to replace IPv4 by providing a vastly larger number of unique addresses and improved network features.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.