CCNA IP Routing Practice Question
Network Topology
You are connected to R1 via console. R1 must forward traffic to the 203.0.113.0/24 and 2001:db8:1::/48 networks through R2 (10.0.0.2/30, 2001:db8:ff::2/64). The primary path must use a next-hop of 10.0.0.2 for IPv4 and 2001:db8:ff::2 for IPv6. Additionally, configure a floating static default route for IPv4 that uses R3 (192.0.2.2/30) as a backup only when the primary path fails. The current configuration has errors: the IPv4 static route points to a wrong next-hop (10.0.0.5) and the primary default route is missing, causing the floating route (AD 100) to become active instead of serving as a backup. Fix these issues so that both primary and backup routes work correctly.
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out for two common traps: (1) Static routes must use a directly connected next-hop; using an IP not on a directly connected subnet causes recursive lookup failure. (2) Floating static routes require a higher AD than the primary route; if the primary route is missing or has a higher AD, the floating route may become active prematurely or not at all.
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
✓
Change the next-hop of the static route to 203.0.113.0/24 from 10.0.0.5 to 10.0.0.2, and add a default route 0.0.0.0/0 via 10.0.0.2 with AD 1. Keep the floating default route 0.0.0.0/0 via 192.0.2.2 with AD 100.
The IPv4 static route to 203.0.113.0/24 used a next-hop of 10.0.0.5, which is not a directly connected interface (R1's G0/0 is 10.0.0.1/30, so only .2 is valid). This caused a recursive lookup failure. The floating static default route had AD 100, but a floating route must have an AD higher than the primary route's AD (typically 1) so it is only used when the primary fails; setting AD 100 is correct for backup, but the primary default route was missing. The fix: change the next-hop for 203.0.113.0/24 to 10.0.0.2, and add a primary default route with AD 1 via 10.0.0.2. The floating route's AD of 100 is fine as backup. IPv6 route was correct.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Change the next-hop of the static route to 203.0.113.0/24 from 10.0.0.5 to 10.0.0.2, and add a default route 0.0.0.0/0 via 10.0.0.2 with AD 1. Keep the floating default route 0.0.0.0/0 via 192.0.2.2 with AD 100.
Why this is correct
This is correct because the primary static route to 203.0.113.0/24 must use a directly connected next-hop (10.0.0.2) to be reachable. A primary default route with AD 1 ensures it is preferred over the floating route (AD 100), which only becomes active when the primary fails. The IPv6 route is already correct.
- ✗
Change the next-hop of the static route to 203.0.113.0/24 from 10.0.0.5 to 10.0.0.2, and change the administrative distance of the floating default route from 100 to 1 so it becomes the primary default route.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because changing the floating route's AD to 1 would make it the primary default route, but the requirement is for it to be a backup only. The primary default route should have AD 1, and the floating route should have a higher AD (e.g., 100) to serve as backup.
- ✗
Change the next-hop of the static route to 203.0.113.0/24 from 10.0.0.5 to 10.0.0.2, and change the administrative distance of the floating default route from 100 to 255 so it is never used.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because an AD of 255 makes the route unusable (effectively disabled), but the requirement is for the floating route to be used as a backup when the primary fails. AD 100 is appropriate for a floating route; AD 255 would prevent it from ever being installed in the routing table.
- ✗
Change the next-hop of the static route to 203.0.113.0/24 from 10.0.0.5 to 10.0.0.2, and remove the floating default route because it is unnecessary.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because the requirement explicitly states that a floating static default route must be configured as a backup for when the primary path fails. Removing it would leave no backup path, violating the requirement.
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.
✓Change the next-hop of the static route to 203.0.113.0/24 from 10.0.0.5 to 10.0.0.2, and add a default route 0.0.0.0/0 via 10.0.0.2 with AD 1. Keep the floating default route 0.0.0.0/0 via 192.0.2.2 with AD 100.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
This is correct because the primary static route to 203.0.113.0/24 must use a directly connected next-hop (10.0.0.2) to be reachable. A primary default route with AD 1 ensures it is preferred over the floating route (AD 100), which only becomes active when the primary fails. The IPv6 route is already correct.
✗Change the next-hop of the static route to 203.0.113.0/24 from 10.0.0.5 to 10.0.0.2, and change the administrative distance of the floating default route from 100 to 1 so it becomes the primary default route.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The floating route must have a higher AD than the primary route to act as a backup; setting it to 1 would make it preferred over the primary default route, violating the requirement.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think that lowering the AD makes the route more reliable, but they overlook that the floating route is meant to be a backup, so it must have a higher AD.
✗Change the next-hop of the static route to 203.0.113.0/24 from 10.0.0.5 to 10.0.0.2, and change the administrative distance of the floating default route from 100 to 255 so it is never used.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
AD 255 is reserved for routes that are not to be installed; a floating route needs an AD higher than the primary but less than 255 to be usable as backup.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse the concept of floating static routes with administrative distance values, thinking a very high AD ensures it is only used as a last resort, but AD 255 disables the route entirely.
✗Change the next-hop of the static route to 203.0.113.0/24 from 10.0.0.5 to 10.0.0.2, and remove the floating default route because it is unnecessary.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The floating route is required by the scenario; removing it would eliminate the backup path, which is not the intended fix.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think that since the primary route is fixed, no backup is needed, but the question clearly requires a backup floating 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?”
Go deeper
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Key term
Interface
An interface is a point of connection or interaction between two systems, devices, or software components that allows them to exchange information or signals.
Key term
Recursive lookup
A recursive lookup is a query process where a DNS resolver asks multiple DNS servers one after another until it finds the IP address for a domain name, rather than relying on pre-stored information.
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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.