CCNA IP Routing Practice Question
Network Topology
You are troubleshooting connectivity from R1 to the 172.16.20.0/24 network. The network engineer configured a floating static route on R1 as a backup for the OSPF-learned route, but after the primary OSPF route fails, the backup does not take over. Examine the current routing table and partial configuration on R1, then fix the issue so that when the OSPF neighbor goes down, R1 can still reach 172.16.20.0/24 via R3.
⚠ Common exam trap
Trap: Candidates often focus on administrative distance values but forget that a static route must have a valid next-hop to be installed. Always verify that the next-hop is reachable (directly connected) or specify an exit interface for floating static routes.
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 static route to use an exit interface: ip route 172.16.20.0 255.255.255.0 GigabitEthernet0/1 203.0.113.2
The floating static route was configured with an administrative distance of 130, intended to be higher than OSPF's default AD of 110 so it would only be used as a backup. However, the static route's AD is set as 130 (the command uses the distance option), which is correct. The problem is that OSPF's AD is 110, which is lower, so the static route is not installed while OSPF is up. But when OSPF fails, the static route should appear. The issue is that the static route is pointing to a next-hop (203.0.113.2) that is not directly connected; R1 has no route to 203.0.113.2, causing the static route to be inactive. To fix, you must either change the next-hop to a directly connected interface (e.g., GigabitEthernet0/1) or add a route to reach 203.0.113.2. The simplest solution is to configure the static route with an exit interface: 'ip route 172.16.20.0 255.255.255.0 GigabitEthernet0/1 203.0.113.2'. This ensures the route is valid when the OSPF route disappears.
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 static route to use an exit interface: ip route 172.16.20.0 255.255.255.0 GigabitEthernet0/1 203.0.113.2
Why this is correct
This is correct because the static route's next-hop 203.0.113.2 is not directly connected, so the route is inactive. By specifying the exit interface, the route becomes directly connected and will be installed when the OSPF route disappears.
- ✗
Change the administrative distance of the static route to 110
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because setting the AD to 110 would make the static route equal to OSPF's AD, causing both routes to be installed (if equal-cost) or the static route to be preferred (if lower). The floating static route should have a higher AD to serve as a backup.
- ✗
Remove the OSPF process from R1
Why it's wrong here
Removing the OSPF process from R1 is incorrect because it eliminates the primary route rather than providing a backup. With OSPF deleted, R1 would lose its working path to 172.16.20.0/24, and the static route would still remain inactive because its next-hop 203.0.113.2 is not directly connected. A floating static route must stay hidden in the background with a higher administrative distance, ready to take over only when the OSPF route disappears.
- ✗
Add a static route to 203.0.113.0/24 via R1's directly connected interface
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because while adding a route to the next-hop network could make the next-hop reachable, it introduces unnecessary complexity and potential routing loops. The simpler and more direct fix is to specify the exit interface on the static route itself.
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 static route to use an exit interface: ip route 172.16.20.0 255.255.255.0 GigabitEthernet0/1 203.0.113.2Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
This is correct because the static route's next-hop 203.0.113.2 is not directly connected, so the route is inactive. By specifying the exit interface, the route becomes directly connected and will be installed when the OSPF route disappears.
✗Change the administrative distance of the static route to 110Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error is that a floating static route must have a higher AD than the dynamic protocol to act as a backup; setting it equal or lower would disrupt the primary route.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think that matching the AD would allow the static route to take over, but they overlook that the static route would then be preferred over OSPF, not just a backup.
✗Remove the OSPF process from R1Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error is that removing OSPF is an extreme measure that breaks connectivity, whereas a floating static route is meant to be a seamless backup.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think that if OSPF is removed, the static route will be used, but this does not solve the underlying issue of the static route being inactive due to an unreachable next-hop.
✗Add a static route to 203.0.113.0/24 via R1's directly connected interfaceWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error is that adding an extra static route is not the standard solution; Cisco recommends using the exit interface for directly connected next-hops to ensure route validity.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think that making the next-hop reachable via another static route will solve the problem, but they overlook that the floating static route would then depend on another static route, which may not be desirable.
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?”
Visual reference
Quick reference
Routing Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Metric | Max Hops | Algorithm | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIP v2 | Hop count | 15 | Bellman-Ford | Distance vector |
| OSPF | Cost (bandwidth) | Unlimited | Dijkstra (SPF) | Link state |
| EIGRP | Composite metric | Unlimited | DUAL | Hybrid |
| IS-IS | Cost | Unlimited | Dijkstra | Link state |
| BGP | Policy / attributes | Unlimited | Path vector | Path vector |
RIP's 15-hop limit makes it unsuitable for large networks. OSPF and EIGRP dominate modern enterprise deployments.
Go deeper
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Key term
OSPF
OSPF is a link-state routing protocol used to find the best path for data packets to travel across IP networks, like a smart GPS that recalculates routes when traffic changes.
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CAN
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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.