The correct fix is to change the IPv6 static route to `2001:db8:1::1/128 2001:db8:0:2::2` and set the floating static default route’s administrative distance to 254. This resolves the recursive routing failure because the original next-hop `2001:db8:0:2::1` is R1’s own interface address, creating a loop where the router looks up the next-hop in its routing table and finds itself again; specifying a directly connected remote next-hop like `2001:db8:0:2::2` breaks that loop by pointing to a real neighbor. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of recursive routing and the critical rule that a static route’s next-hop must be reachable via a directly connected network—not the router’s own IP. A common trap is confusing the local interface address with the neighbor’s address, so always verify the next-hop is not your own. For the floating default, remember that dynamic routes (like OSPF or EIGRP) often have a default AD of 1, so you need an AD higher than that (e.g., 254) to ensure it only activates as a backup. Memory tip: “Next-hop must be a neighbor, not yourself—check the address, not the interface.”
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.
Network Topology
You are connected to R1 via console. R1 must reach the remote loopback 2001:db8:1::1/128 on R3 via R2 (2001:db8:0:2::2/64). Currently, IPv6 ping fails. Additionally, configure a floating static default route via R2 (198.51.100.2/30) with an appropriate AD so that it only becomes active if a dynamic default route (with default AD 1) is absent. Identify and fix the recursive routing failure, correct the next-hop, set the correct AD, and ensure the default route is present.
R1# show running-config | section ipv6 router
ipv6 unicast-routing
!
ipv6 route 2001:db8:1::1/128 2001:db8:0:2::1
!
R1# show ipv6 route static
IPv6 Routing Table - default - 2 entries
Codes: C - Connected, L - Local, S - Static, R - RIP, B - BGP
U - Per-user Static route, M - MIPv6
S 2001:db8:1::1/128 [1/0]
via 2001:db8:0:2::1
R1# show ipv6 route 2001:db8:1::1
% Subnet not in table
R1# show ipv6 neighbors
R1#
R1# show running-config | include ip route
ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 198.51.100.2 1
!
R1# show ip route static
Codes: L - local, C - connected, S - static, R - RIP, M - mobile, B - BGP
D - EIGRP, EX - EIGRP external, O - OSPF, IA - OSPF inter area
N1 - OSPF NSSA external type 1, N2 - OSPF NSSA external type 2
E1 - OSPF external type 1, E2 - OSPF external type 2
i - IS-IS, su - IS-IS summary, L1 - IS-IS level-1, L2 - IS-IS level-2
ia - IS-IS inter area, * - candidate default, U - per-user static route
o - ODR, P - periodic downloaded static route
Gateway of last resort is 198.51.100.2 to network 0.0.0.0
S* 0.0.0.0/0 [1/0] via 198.51.100.2
R1# show ip route 0.0.0.0
Routing entry for 0.0.0.0/0, supernet
Known via "static", distance 1, metric 0
Last update from 198.51.100.2 on GigabitEthernet0/0
* 198.51.100.2, via GigabitEthernet0/0
R1# show ip interface brief
Interface IP-Address OK? Method Status Protocol
GigabitEthernet0/0 198.51.100.1 YES NVRAM up up
GigabitEthernet0/1 10.0.0.1 YES NVRAM up up
Loopback0 192.0.2.1 YES NVRAM up up
A
Change the IPv6 static route to '2001:db8:1::1/128 GigabitEthernet0/1 2001:db8:0:2::2' and set the floating default route's AD to 254.
This fixes the recursive routing failure by specifying the exit interface and a directly connected next-hop, ensuring R1 can reach R3. The AD of 254 is higher than the default AD of dynamic routes (e.g., 1 for EIGRP or 110 for OSPF), making it a proper floating static default route that only activates when the dynamic route is absent.
B
Change the IPv6 static route to '2001:db8:1::1/128 2001:db8:0:2::1' and set the floating default route's AD to 1.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because the next-hop 2001:db8:0:2::1 is not directly connected; R1 has no route to it, causing recursive lookup failure. Additionally, setting AD to 1 equals the default AD of a static route, so it will not act as a floating route; it will always be active and may conflict with a dynamic default route.
C
Change the IPv6 static route to '2001:db8:1::1/128 GigabitEthernet0/1 2001:db8:0:2::2' and set the floating default route's AD to 1.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because while the IPv6 static route fix is correct, setting the floating default route's AD to 1 means it will have the same administrative distance as a default static route, so it will not be a floating route; it will always be present and may override or conflict with a dynamic default route.
D
Change the IPv6 static route to '2001:db8:1::1/128 2001:db8:0:2::2' and set the floating default route's AD to 254.
Using the directly connected next-hop 2001:db8:0:2::2 without an exit interface resolves the recursive failure, and AD 254 makes it a floating backup.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Change the IPv6 static route to '2001:db8:1::1/128 GigabitEthernet0/1 2001:db8:0:2::2' and set the floating default route's AD to 254.
The original IPv6 static route uses the next-hop 2001:db8:0:2::1, which is R1's own G0/1 address, causing a routing loop. Correct the route by specifying a directly connected remote next-hop (2001:db8:0:2::2) either with or without the exit interface. Set the floating static default route with an AD higher than the dynamic route's default AD (e.g., 254) so it becomes a backup. Option A (exit interface + next-hop) and Option D (next-hop only) both achieve this; Options B and C fail due to wrong next-hop or AD.
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.
✓
Change the IPv6 static route to '2001:db8:1::1/128 GigabitEthernet0/1 2001:db8:0:2::2' and set the floating default route's AD to 254.
Why this is correct
This fixes the recursive routing failure by specifying the exit interface and a directly connected next-hop, ensuring R1 can reach R3. The AD of 254 is higher than the default AD of dynamic routes (e.g., 1 for EIGRP or 110 for OSPF), making it a proper floating static default route that only activates when the dynamic route is absent.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Change the IPv6 static route to '2001:db8:1::1/128 2001:db8:0:2::1' and set the floating default route's AD to 1.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because the next-hop 2001:db8:0:2::1 is not directly connected; R1 has no route to it, causing recursive lookup failure. Additionally, setting AD to 1 equals the default AD of a static route, so it will not act as a floating route; it will always be active and may conflict with a dynamic default route.
✗
Change the IPv6 static route to '2001:db8:1::1/128 GigabitEthernet0/1 2001:db8:0:2::2' and set the floating default route's AD to 1.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because while the IPv6 static route fix is correct, setting the floating default route's AD to 1 means it will have the same administrative distance as a default static route, so it will not be a floating route; it will always be present and may override or conflict with a dynamic default route.
✓
Change the IPv6 static route to '2001:db8:1::1/128 2001:db8:0:2::2' and set the floating default route's AD to 254.
Why this is correct
Using the directly connected next-hop 2001:db8:0:2::2 without an exit interface resolves the recursive failure, and AD 254 makes it a floating backup.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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 IPv6 static route to '2001:db8:1::1/128 GigabitEthernet0/1 2001:db8:0:2::2' and set the floating default route's AD to 254.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
This fixes the recursive routing failure by specifying the exit interface and a directly connected next-hop, ensuring R1 can reach R3. The AD of 254 is higher than the default AD of dynamic routes (e.g., 1 for EIGRP or 110 for OSPF), making it a proper floating static default route that only activates when the dynamic route is absent.
✗Change the IPv6 static route to '2001:db8:1::1/128 2001:db8:0:2::1' and set the floating default route's AD to 1.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The next-hop address is not directly connected, and the AD value is too low to function as a floating static route.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think that any IPv6 address can be used as a next-hop without considering direct connectivity, and they may mistakenly believe that AD 1 is appropriate for a floating route because it is the default for static routes.
✗Change the IPv6 static route to '2001:db8:1::1/128 GigabitEthernet0/1 2001:db8:0:2::2' and set the floating default route's AD to 1.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The AD value of 1 is too low; a floating static route requires an AD higher than the dynamic routing protocol's default AD.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think that AD 1 is the default for static routes and assume it is correct for a floating route, not realizing that a floating route must have a higher AD to serve as a backup.
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
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 practitioner preparing for the 200-301 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 200-301 question in full detail.
Identify which 200-301 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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: Change the IPv6 static route to '2001:db8:1::1/128 GigabitEthernet0/1 2001:db8:0:2::2' and set the floating default route's AD to 254. — The original IPv6 static route uses the next-hop 2001:db8:0:2::1, which is R1's own G0/1 address, causing a routing loop. Correct the route by specifying a directly connected remote next-hop (2001:db8:0:2::2) either with or without the exit interface. Set the floating static default route with an AD higher than the dynamic route's default AD (e.g., 254) so it becomes a backup. Option A (exit interface + next-hop) and Option D (next-hop only) both achieve this; Options B and C fail due to wrong next-hop or AD.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Identify which 200-301 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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