The answer is Option A, which correctly configures the interface Vlan10 with the commands `standby 10 ip 192.168.10.254`, `standby 10 priority 150`, `standby 10 preempt`, and `standby 10 track GigabitEthernet0/1 20`. This is correct because the HSRP configuration must include the virtual IP address to unify the group and prevent a split-brain scenario where both routers claim active status; the priority of 150 ensures R1 is preferred, preempt allows it to reclaim active status after recovering, and interface tracking decrements the priority by 20 if GigabitEthernet0/1 fails, forcing a failover. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this tests your ability to apply HSRP priority, preempt, and interface tracking in a real-world first-hop redundancy scenario—a common trap is forgetting the `standby <group> ip` command, which leaves the virtual IP unconfigured and causes both routers to stay active. Remember the mnemonic “VIP Preempt Track” to recall the four essential elements: Virtual IP, Priority, Preempt, and Track.
CCNA IP Routing Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of ip routing. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 uses HSRP to provide first-hop redundancy for VLAN 10 clients. R1 should be the active router with a priority of 150, preempt enabled, and should track interface GigabitEthernet0/1 (decrement priority by 20 if it goes down). The virtual IP is 192.168.10.254. Currently, both routers are active for the same group. Fix the configuration on R1 so that it becomes the active router and preempts when possible.
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.
R1# show standby brief
P indicates configured to preempt.
|
Interface Grp Pri P State Active Standby Virtual IP
Gi0/0 10 100 Active local 192.168.10.2 192.168.10.254
Gi0/0 10 100 Active 192.168.10.2 local 192.168.10.254
R1# show running-config | section interface GigabitEthernet0/0
interface GigabitEthernet0/0
ip address 192.168.10.1 255.255.255.0
standby version 2
standby 10 ip 192.168.10.254
standby 10 priority 100
no standby 10 preempt
!
interface GigabitEthernet0/1
ip address 10.0.0.1 255.255.255.252
!
This configuration sets the HSRP priority to 150, enables preempt, and tracks GigabitEthernet0/1 with a decrement of 20. This makes R1 the active router and allows it to reclaim the active role if it becomes available again.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because the 'decrement' keyword is not used in the track command. The correct syntax is 'standby <group> track <interface> <decrement-value>' without the word 'decrement'.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because 'preempt delay' is used to delay preemption, not to track an interface. Also, the track command is missing the decrement value, so it defaults to 10, not 20.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because the 'priority' keyword is not used in the track command. The correct syntax is 'standby <group> track <interface> <decrement-value>' without the word 'priority'.
Both routers are active for HSRP group 10 because the virtual IP address is not configured or is mismatched, causing a split-brain scenario. The correct fix must include setting the virtual IP with 'standby 10 ip 192.168.10.254', raising R1's priority to 150, enabling preempt, and tracking GigabitEthernet0/1 with a decrement of 20. Option A supplies all required commands with proper syntax. Other options either omit the vital IP configuration or have invalid keywords like 'decrement' or 'preempt delay'.
Key principle: A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
This configuration sets the HSRP priority to 150, enables preempt, and tracks GigabitEthernet0/1 with a decrement of 20. This makes R1 the active router and allows it to reclaim the active role if it becomes available again.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
This is incorrect because the 'decrement' keyword is not used in the track command. The correct syntax is 'standby <group> track <interface> <decrement-value>' without the word 'decrement'.
This is incorrect because 'preempt delay' is used to delay preemption, not to track an interface. Also, the track command is missing the decrement value, so it defaults to 10, not 20.
This is incorrect because the 'priority' keyword is not used in the track command. The correct syntax is 'standby <group> track <interface> <decrement-value>' without the word 'priority'.
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.
This configuration sets the HSRP priority to 150, enables preempt, and tracks GigabitEthernet0/1 with a decrement of 20. This makes R1 the active router and allows it to reclaim the active role if it becomes available again.
✗interface Vlan10\n standby 10 ip 192.168.10.254\n standby 10 priority 150\n standby 10 preempt\n standby 10 track GigabitEthernet0/1 20 decrementWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error is that 'decrement' is not a valid keyword in the standby track command. The decrement value is specified directly after the interface.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think 'decrement' is part of the command because they remember the concept of decrementing priority, but the actual syntax does not include that word.
✗interface Vlan10\n standby 10 ip 192.168.10.254\n standby 10 priority 150\n standby 10 preempt delay 20\n standby 10 track GigabitEthernet0/1Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error is that 'preempt delay' is not the correct way to configure tracking. Tracking is done with the 'standby track' command, and the decrement value must be specified.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might confuse the preempt delay feature with tracking, or think that the delay value serves as the decrement value.
✗interface Vlan10\n standby 10 ip 192.168.10.254\n standby 10 priority 150\n standby 10 preempt\n standby 10 track GigabitEthernet0/1 20 priorityWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error is that 'priority' is not a valid keyword in the standby track command. The decrement value is specified directly after the interface.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think 'priority' is needed because the track command affects priority, but the command does not include that keyword.
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: an active trunk can still block the VLAN you need
A trunk being up does not prove every VLAN is crossing it. Check allowed VLAN lists, native VLAN mismatch, VLAN existence and access-port assignment.
Trap categories for this question
Keyword trap
This is incorrect because the 'decrement' keyword is not used in the track command. The correct syntax is 'standby <group> track <interface> <decrement-value>' without the word 'decrement'.
Command / output trap
This is incorrect because the 'decrement' keyword is not used in the track command. The correct syntax is 'standby <group> track <interface> <decrement-value>' without the word 'decrement'.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
VLAN questions usually combine access-port and trunking clues. The key is to identify whether the issue is local to one switchport, caused by the trunk, or caused by the VLAN not existing where it needs to exist.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
Trunk ports carry multiple VLANs between switches.
Allowed VLAN lists decide which VLANs can cross a trunk.
Native VLAN mismatch can create confusing symptoms.
TExam Day Tips
→Use show vlan brief to verify access VLANs.
→Use show interfaces trunk to verify trunk state and allowed VLANs.
→Do not treat every same-VLAN issue as a routing problem.
Key takeaway
A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A help-desk technician troubleshoots why a newly connected PC cannot reach shared printers on the same floor. The cable is good, the switch port is active, but the PC is in VLAN 20 and the printers are in VLAN 10. The uplink trunk only allows VLAN 10. A trunk being up does not mean every VLAN crosses it.
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 VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related 200-301 questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
IP Routing — This question tests IP Routing — Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: interface Vlan10\n standby 10 ip 192.168.10.254\n standby 10 priority 150\n standby 10 preempt\n standby 10 track GigabitEthernet0/1 20 — Both routers are active for HSRP group 10 because the virtual IP address is not configured or is mismatched, causing a split-brain scenario. The correct fix must include setting the virtual IP with 'standby 10 ip 192.168.10.254', raising R1's priority to 150, enabling preempt, and tracking GigabitEthernet0/1 with a decrement of 20. Option A supplies all required commands with proper syntax. Other options either omit the vital IP configuration or have invalid keywords like 'decrement' or 'preempt delay'.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related 200-301 questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". 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?
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
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