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. Configure R1 so that it uses a floating static route to reach the 203.0.113.0/24 network via R2 only when the primary route (learned via EIGRP) fails. The primary route has an administrative distance of 90. Currently, R1 has no route to 203.0.113.0/24 because EIGRP is down on the direct link. Ensure the floating static route is installed and used.
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 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 not set
10.0.0.0/8 is variably subnetted, 2 subnets, 2 masks
C 10.0.0.0/30 is directly connected, GigabitEthernet0/0
L 10.0.0.1/32 is directly connected, GigabitEthernet0/0
192.0.2.0/24 is variably subnetted, 1 subnets, 1 mask
C 192.0.2.0/24 is directly connected, GigabitEthernet0/1
R1# show run | section ip route
! No static routes configured
R1# show ip eigrp neighbors
% EIGRP is not enabled on any interfaces
A
ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 10.0.0.2 95
This command configures a static route to the 203.0.113.0/24 network via next-hop 10.0.0.2 with an administrative distance of 95. Since 95 is greater than EIGRP's default AD of 90, this route will only be used when EIGRP is down, making it a proper floating static route.
B
ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 10.0.0.2 90
Why wrong: This command sets the administrative distance to 90, which is equal to EIGRP's default AD. When ADs are equal, the route with the best metric is used, but EIGRP's metric is typically better than a static route's metric of 0. This could cause suboptimal routing or load balancing, not a floating static route.
C
ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 10.0.0.2 85
Why wrong: This command sets the administrative distance to 85, which is less than EIGRP's default AD of 90. This would make the static route preferred over EIGRP, defeating the purpose of a floating static route that should only be used as a backup.
D
ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 10.0.0.2
Why wrong: This command configures a static route with the default administrative distance of 1. Since 1 is much lower than EIGRP's AD of 90, this static route would always be preferred over EIGRP, making it the primary route instead of a backup.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 10.0.0.2 95
The issue is that R1 has no route to 203.0.113.0/24 because EIGRP is not working (likely due to misconfiguration or link failure). A floating static route with an administrative distance greater than EIGRP's default AD of 90 is needed. By configuring a static route to 203.0.113.0/24 via next-hop 10.0.0.2 with AD 95, the static route will be used only when EIGRP is down (since 95 > 90, EIGRP is preferred when active). The command 'ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 10.0.0.2 95' accomplishes this.
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.
✓
ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 10.0.0.2 95
Why this is correct
This command configures a static route to the 203.0.113.0/24 network via next-hop 10.0.0.2 with an administrative distance of 95. Since 95 is greater than EIGRP's default AD of 90, this route will only be used when EIGRP is down, making it a proper floating static route.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 10.0.0.2 90
Why it's wrong here
This command sets the administrative distance to 90, which is equal to EIGRP's default AD. When ADs are equal, the route with the best metric is used, but EIGRP's metric is typically better than a static route's metric of 0. This could cause suboptimal routing or load balancing, not a floating static route.
This command configures a static route with the default administrative distance of 1. Since 1 is much lower than EIGRP's AD of 90, this static route would always be preferred over EIGRP, making it the primary route instead of 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.
This command configures a static route to the 203.0.113.0/24 network via next-hop 10.0.0.2 with an administrative distance of 95. Since 95 is greater than EIGRP's default AD of 90, this route will only be used when EIGRP is down, making it a proper floating static route.
✗ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 10.0.0.2 90Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The AD must be greater than 90 to ensure the static route is only used when EIGRP fails. An AD of 90 does not create a floating static route.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think that matching the AD is sufficient, but floating static routes require a higher AD to be less preferred.
✗ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 10.0.0.2 85Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A floating static route must have a higher AD than the primary route. An AD of 85 is lower than 90, so it would be preferred over EIGRP.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think a lower AD is better, but for a backup route, you want it to be less preferred.
✗ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 10.0.0.2Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The default AD for static routes is 1, which is lower than EIGRP's 90. Without specifying a higher AD, the static route will be preferred and not act as a floating static route.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may forget to specify an AD and assume the static route will automatically be a backup, but the default AD makes it primary.
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.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
This command sets the administrative distance to 90, which is equal to EIGRP's default AD. When ADs are equal, the route with the best metric is used, but EIGRP's metric is typically better than a static route's metric of 0. This could cause suboptimal routing or load balancing, not a floating static route.
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: ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 10.0.0.2 95 — The issue is that R1 has no route to 203.0.113.0/24 because EIGRP is not working (likely due to misconfiguration or link failure). A floating static route with an administrative distance greater than EIGRP's default AD of 90 is needed. By configuring a static route to 203.0.113.0/24 via next-hop 10.0.0.2 with AD 95, the static route will be used only when EIGRP is down (since 95 > 90, EIGRP is preferred when active). The command 'ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 10.0.0.2 95' accomplishes this.
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.
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?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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