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.
Exhibit
R1# show standby brief
P indicates configured to preempt.
|
Interface Grp Pri P State Active Standby Virtual IP
Gi0/0.100 1 100 Active local 192.0.2.2 192.0.2.254
R1# show running-config | section interface GigabitEthernet0/0.100
interface GigabitEthernet0/0.100
encapsulation dot1Q 100
ip address 192.0.2.1 255.255.255.0
standby 1 ip 192.0.2.254
standby 1 priority 100
standby 1 preempt
standby 1 track GigabitEthernet0/1 20
!
R2# show standby brief (from show ip arp, not shown, but known that both are active)
You are connected to R1. Configure HSRP on R1 and R2 so that R1 is the active gateway for VLAN 100 with a virtual IP of 192.0.2.254. R1 should preempt and track its G0/1 interface to decrement priority by 20 if it goes down. Currently, both routers show active for the group, and the virtual IP is incorrectly set. Troubleshoot and fix the configuration on R1 only.
R1# show standby brief
P indicates configured to preempt.
|
Interface Grp Pri P State Active Standby Virtual IP
Gi0/0.100 1 100 Active local 192.0.2.2 192.0.2.254
R1# show running-config | section interface GigabitEthernet0/0.100
interface GigabitEthernet0/0.100
encapsulation dot1Q 100
ip address 192.0.2.1 255.255.255.0
standby 1 ip 192.0.2.254
standby 1 priority 100
standby 1 preempt
standby 1 track GigabitEthernet0/1 20
!
R2# show standby brief (from show ip arp, not shown, but known that both are active)
A
Change the virtual IP to 192.0.2.254 and set priority to 110.
The virtual IP was incorrectly configured (likely 192.168.100.254) causing both routers to potentially form separate groups. Changing it to 192.0.2.254 aligns with the subnet, and setting priority 110 ensures R1 becomes active with preempt.
B
Change the virtual IP to 192.0.2.254 and remove the track command.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because removing the track command would prevent R1 from decrementing priority if its G0/1 interface goes down, which is required by the task. The track command is correctly configured.
C
Change the virtual IP to 192.0.2.254 and configure preempt on R2.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because the task explicitly says to fix the configuration on R1 only. Configuring preempt on R2 does not address the issue on R1 and may cause R2 to preempt R1, which is not desired.
D
Change the virtual IP to 192.0.2.254 and set priority to 100.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because setting priority to 100 (default) would not make R1 the active router if R2 also has priority 100. Without a higher priority, R1 may not become active, especially if R2 has preempt disabled.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Change the virtual IP to 192.0.2.254 and set priority to 110.
The issue is that both routers are active because the virtual IP on R1 was 192.168.100.254, which is not in the same subnet as the interface IP (192.0.2.1/24), so HSRP couldn't form a common group. Changing the virtual IP to 192.0.2.254 fixes the subnet mismatch. Additionally, setting R1's priority to 110 ensures it becomes the active router because it has preempt configured, and the higher priority overrides R2's default 100. The track command remains correct as it reduces priority if G0/1 fails.
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.
✓
Change the virtual IP to 192.0.2.254 and set priority to 110.
Why this is correct
The virtual IP was incorrectly configured (likely 192.168.100.254) causing both routers to potentially form separate groups. Changing it to 192.0.2.254 aligns with the subnet, and setting priority 110 ensures R1 becomes active with preempt.
Related concept
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
✗
Change the virtual IP to 192.0.2.254 and remove the track command.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because removing the track command would prevent R1 from decrementing priority if its G0/1 interface goes down, which is required by the task. The track command is correctly configured.
✗
Change the virtual IP to 192.0.2.254 and configure preempt on R2.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because the task explicitly says to fix the configuration on R1 only. Configuring preempt on R2 does not address the issue on R1 and may cause R2 to preempt R1, which is not desired.
✗
Change the virtual IP to 192.0.2.254 and set priority to 100.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because setting priority to 100 (default) would not make R1 the active router if R2 also has priority 100. Without a higher priority, R1 may not become active, especially if R2 has preempt disabled.
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 virtual IP to 192.0.2.254 and set priority to 110.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
The virtual IP was incorrectly configured (likely 192.168.100.254) causing both routers to potentially form separate groups. Changing it to 192.0.2.254 aligns with the subnet, and setting priority 110 ensures R1 becomes active with preempt.
✗Change the virtual IP to 192.0.2.254 and remove the track command.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Removing the track command would prevent R1 from decrementing priority when G0/1 fails, violating the requirement to track the interface.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think the track command is causing both routers to be active, but the real issue is the virtual IP mismatch and priority.
✗Change the virtual IP to 192.0.2.254 and configure preempt on R2.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Configuring preempt on R2 might allow it to take over, but the task only asks to fix R1; the primary issue is the virtual IP mismatch on R1.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think both routers need preempt to avoid both being active, but the problem is that R1's virtual IP is wrong and its priority is too low.
✗Change the virtual IP to 192.0.2.254 and set priority to 100.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Setting priority to 100 (the default) without preempt? Actually, R1 already has preempt, but with equal priority, the highest IP wins, which might be R2, so R1 might not become active. Increasing priority to 110 is required.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might assume that fixing the virtual IP alone is sufficient, but priority must be increased to force R1 to be active.
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
Command / output trap
This is incorrect because removing the track command would prevent R1 from decrementing priority if its G0/1 interface goes down, which is required by the task. The track command is correctly configured.
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: Change the virtual IP to 192.0.2.254 and set priority to 110. — The issue is that both routers are active because the virtual IP on R1 was 192.168.100.254, which is not in the same subnet as the interface IP (192.0.2.1/24), so HSRP couldn't form a common group. Changing the virtual IP to 192.0.2.254 fixes the subnet mismatch. Additionally, setting R1's priority to 110 ensures it becomes the active router because it has preempt configured, and the higher priority overrides R2's default 100. The track command remains correct as it reduces priority if G0/1 fails.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
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