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. The network consists of three routers: R1, R2, and R3. R1 must reach the loopback network 203.0.113.0/24 on R3 via two paths: a primary static route through R2's G0/0 (192.0.2.2) and a floating static route through R2's G0/1 (198.51.100.2) with an administrative distance of 150. Additionally, R1 already has a default route pointing to 192.0.2.2. Configure the two static routes to 203.0.113.0/24 on R1 as described. The default route does not need to be changed. Verify that the primary route is active and the floating route is used only if the primary fails.
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "primary"
Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
R1# show running-config | section ip route
ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 192.0.2.2
ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 192.0.2.2
ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 198.51.100.2 150
!
R1# show ip route
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 192.0.2.2 to network 0.0.0.0
192.0.2.0/30 is subnetted, 1 subnets
C 192.0.2.0/30 is directly connected, GigabitEthernet0/0
198.51.100.0/30 is subnetted, 1 subnets
C 198.51.100.0/30 is directly connected, GigabitEthernet0/1
S 203.0.113.0/24 [1/0] via 192.0.2.2
S 203.0.113.0/24 [150/0] via 198.51.100.2
S* 0.0.0.0/0 [1/0] via 192.0.2.2
A
Configure ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 192.0.2.2 and ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 198.51.100.2 150. The default route is already configured. No further changes needed.
This configuration creates a primary static route with default AD 1 via 192.0.2.2 and a floating static route with AD 150 via 198.51.100.2. The floating route will only appear in the routing table if the primary route's next-hop becomes unreachable. The default route is already correctly configured, so no additional changes are required.
B
Configure ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 192.0.2.2 and ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 198.51.100.2 150. Also, remove the existing default route and re-add it with a higher administrative distance.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because the default route is already correctly configured and does not need to be removed or changed. The default route should point to 192.0.2.2 with default AD 1, which is already in place.
C
Configure ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 192.0.2.2 150 and ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 198.51.100.2. The default route is already configured.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because it assigns AD 150 to the primary route (via 192.0.2.2) and default AD 1 to the floating route (via 198.51.100.2). This would make the floating route preferred, which is the opposite of the requirement.
D
Configure ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 192.0.2.2 and ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 198.51.100.2. The default route is already configured. No administrative distance is needed because the router will automatically prefer the route with the lower metric.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because without specifying an AD for the floating route, both static routes will have the same default AD of 1. This causes them to be equal-cost paths, and traffic will be load-balanced or one will be chosen arbitrarily, not as a backup.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Configure ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 192.0.2.2 and ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 198.51.100.2 150. The default route is already configured. No further changes needed.
The correct answer is option A because it correctly configures the primary static route to 203.0.113.0/24 via 192.0.2.2 (default AD 1) and the floating static route via 198.51.100.2 with AD 150, ensuring the primary route is preferred. The default route to 192.0.2.2 is already configured and does not need modification. Options B, C, and D are incorrect: B wrongly adds a higher AD to the default route, C inverts the ADs on the two routes, and D omits the required AD on the floating route, causing both routes to have equal AD and potential load balancing or conflict.
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.
✓
Configure ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 192.0.2.2 and ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 198.51.100.2 150. The default route is already configured. No further changes needed.
Why this is correct
This configuration creates a primary static route with default AD 1 via 192.0.2.2 and a floating static route with AD 150 via 198.51.100.2. The floating route will only appear in the routing table if the primary route's next-hop becomes unreachable. The default route is already correctly configured, so no additional changes are required.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Configure ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 192.0.2.2 and ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 198.51.100.2 150. Also, remove the existing default route and re-add it with a higher administrative distance.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because the default route is already correctly configured and does not need to be removed or changed. The default route should point to 192.0.2.2 with default AD 1, which is already in place.
✗
Configure ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 192.0.2.2 150 and ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 198.51.100.2. The default route is already configured.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because it assigns AD 150 to the primary route (via 192.0.2.2) and default AD 1 to the floating route (via 198.51.100.2). This would make the floating route preferred, which is the opposite of the requirement.
✗
Configure ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 192.0.2.2 and ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 198.51.100.2. The default route is already configured. No administrative distance is needed because the router will automatically prefer the route with the lower metric.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because without specifying an AD for the floating route, both static routes will have the same default AD of 1. This causes them to be equal-cost paths, and traffic will be load-balanced or one will be chosen arbitrarily, not as a backup.
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 ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 192.0.2.2 and ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 198.51.100.2 150. The default route is already configured. No further changes needed.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
This configuration creates a primary static route with default AD 1 via 192.0.2.2 and a floating static route with AD 150 via 198.51.100.2. The floating route will only appear in the routing table if the primary route's next-hop becomes unreachable. The default route is already correctly configured, so no additional changes are required.
✗Configure ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 192.0.2.2 and ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 198.51.100.2 150. Also, remove the existing default route and re-add it with a higher administrative distance.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error is that the default route configuration is correct as given; there is no need to modify it. Changing the AD of the default route could cause routing issues.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think that the default route needs adjustment to avoid conflict with the floating static route, but the floating route has a higher AD and does not interfere.
✗Configure ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 192.0.2.2 150 and ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 198.51.100.2. The default route is already configured.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error is swapping the administrative distances: the primary route should have a lower AD than the floating route. Here, the primary route has AD 150 and the floating route has AD 1, causing the backup to be preferred.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might confuse which route should have the higher AD, thinking the floating route should have the default AD and the primary a higher one, but that is incorrect.
✗Configure ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 192.0.2.2 and ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 198.51.100.2. The default route is already configured. No administrative distance is needed because the router will automatically prefer the route with the lower metric.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error is that static routes without an AD default to 1, so both routes would have equal AD. The floating route must have a higher AD (e.g., 150) to act as a backup.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think that the router automatically distinguishes between primary and backup routes, but without different AD values, both routes are considered equal.
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.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 200-301 question in full detail.
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.
IP Routing — This question tests IP Routing — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 192.0.2.2 and ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 198.51.100.2 150. The default route is already configured. No further changes needed. — The correct answer is option A because it correctly configures the primary static route to 203.0.113.0/24 via 192.0.2.2 (default AD 1) and the floating static route via 198.51.100.2 with AD 150, ensuring the primary route is preferred. The default route to 192.0.2.2 is already configured and does not need modification. Options B, C, and D are incorrect: B wrongly adds a higher AD to the default route, C inverts the ADs on the two routes, and D omits the required AD on the floating route, causing both routes to have equal AD and potential load balancing or conflict.
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: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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