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IP Routing →hardTroubleshootingObjective-mapped

CCNA IP Routing Practice Question

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
G0/0198.51.100.2/30198.51.100.1S0/0/0203.0.113.2/30203.0.113.1R1ISP1ISP2

You are connected to R1. The network currently uses a static default route pointing to ISP1 (198.51.100.1) via GigabitEthernet0/0. However, the backup link to ISP2 (203.0.113.1) via Serial0/0/0 has a floating static default route with an administrative distance of 130. The backup route is not taking over when the primary link fails. Configure the floating static route correctly so that it becomes active when the primary route is lost, and verify that the routing table shows the backup default route with the appropriate next-hop.

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.

Question 1hardTroubleshooting
Review the full routing breakdown →

Exhibit

R1# show running-config | include ip route
ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 198.51.100.1
ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 203.0.113.1 130

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 198.51.100.1 to network 0.0.0.0

S*   0.0.0.0/0 [1/0] via 198.51.100.1, GigabitEthernet0/0

R1# ping 8.8.8.8 source GigabitEthernet0/0
Type escape sequence to abort.
Sending 5, 100-byte ICMP Echos to 8.8.8.8, timeout is 2 seconds:
!!!!!
Success rate is 100 percent (5/5)

R1# conf t
Enter configuration commands, one per line.  End with CNTL/Z.
R1(config)# interface GigabitEthernet0/0
R1(config-if)# shutdown
%LINK-5-CHANGED: Interface GigabitEthernet0/0, changed state to administratively down
%LINEPROTO-5-UPDOWN: Line protocol on Interface GigabitEthernet0/0, changed state to down
R1(config-if)# end
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 198.51.100.1 to network 0.0.0.0

S*   0.0.0.0/0 [1/0] via 198.51.100.1, GigabitEthernet0/0

R1# show ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 longer-prefixes
% Subnet not in table

R1# show ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0
Routing entry for 0.0.0.0/0, supernet
  Known via "static", distance 1, metric 0 (connected)
  Last update from 198.51.100.1 on GigabitEthernet0/0
  Routing Descriptor Blocks:
  * 198.51.100.1, via GigabitEthernet0/0
      Route metric is 0, traffic share count is 1

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

✓

Remove the primary static route and reconfigure it without the 'permanent' keyword, then verify the backup route appears in the routing table.

The primary static default route was configured with the 'permanent' keyword, which keeps the route in the routing table even when the GigabitEthernet0/0 interface goes down. This prevents the floating static route (AD 130) from becoming active. The solution is to remove the primary route (no ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 198.51.100.1 permanent) and reconfigure it without the 'permanent' keyword. After that, when the primary link fails, the route is removed, and the backup route (AD 130) enters the routing table. Option A is correct. Option B would make the backup preferred over the primary, which is not the intended behavior. Option C (adding permanent to the backup) would not help and could cause issues. Option D (track) is an alternative but not the required configuration here.

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.

  • ✓

    Remove the primary static route and reconfigure it without the 'permanent' keyword, then verify the backup route appears in the routing table.

    Why this is correct

    The primary static route was likely configured with the 'permanent' keyword, which keeps the route in the routing table even if the next-hop interface goes down. Removing the 'permanent' keyword allows the route to be removed when the interface fails, enabling the floating static route with AD 130 to take over.

    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.

  • ✗

    Change the administrative distance of the floating static route to 1 so it is preferred over the primary route.

    Why it's wrong here

    This is incorrect because changing the AD to 1 would make the backup route the primary route, defeating the purpose of a floating static route. The backup route should have a higher AD than the primary route so it only becomes active when the primary is lost.

  • ✗

    Add the 'permanent' keyword to the floating static route to ensure it remains in the routing table.

    Why it's wrong here

    This is incorrect because adding 'permanent' to the floating static route would keep it in the routing table even if its next-hop interface fails, but the issue is that the primary route is not being removed. The backup route is already configured; the problem is that the primary route persists due to the 'permanent' keyword.

  • ✗

    Configure a static route with a next-hop of 203.0.113.1 and an administrative distance of 130, but also add the 'track' command to monitor the primary link.

    Why it's wrong here

    This is incorrect because the floating static route is already configured with AD 130. Adding a track object is a valid method to monitor the primary link, but the question states the backup route is not taking over. The root cause is the primary route persisting due to the 'permanent' keyword, not the lack of tracking.

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.

✓Remove the primary static route and reconfigure it without the 'permanent' keyword, then verify the backup route appears in the routing table.Correct answer▾

Why this is correct

The primary static route was likely configured with the 'permanent' keyword, which keeps the route in the routing table even if the next-hop interface goes down. Removing the 'permanent' keyword allows the route to be removed when the interface fails, enabling the floating static route with AD 130 to take over.

✗Change the administrative distance of the floating static route to 1 so it is preferred over the primary route.Wrong answer — click to see why▾

Why this is wrong here

The specific factual error: Administrative distance determines route preference; a lower AD is preferred. Setting the backup to AD 1 would make it the primary route, not a backup.

Why candidates choose this

Candidates might think lowering the AD will force the backup to be used, but they overlook that it would then always be preferred, not just during failure.

✗Add the 'permanent' keyword to the floating static route to ensure it remains in the routing table.Wrong answer — click to see why▾

Why this is wrong here

The specific factual error: The 'permanent' keyword prevents route removal when the interface goes down, which is not the solution here. The backup route needs to become active when the primary fails, not be forced to stay.

Why candidates choose this

Candidates may think 'permanent' makes routes more reliable, but they misunderstand its effect on route removal during interface failure.

✗Configure a static route with a next-hop of 203.0.113.1 and an administrative distance of 130, but also add the 'track' command to monitor the primary link.Wrong answer — click to see why▾

Why this is wrong here

The specific factual error: The track command is used to conditionally remove a static route based on reachability, but it is not necessary if the primary route is correctly configured without 'permanent'. The existing backup route should work once the primary route is removed.

Why candidates choose this

Candidates may think tracking is required for floating static routes to work, but in this scenario the primary route's 'permanent' keyword is the issue.

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.

Trap categories for this question

  • Keyword trap

    This is incorrect because adding 'permanent' to the floating static route would keep it in the routing table even if its next-hop interface fails, but the issue is that the primary route is not being removed. The backup route is already configured; the problem is that the primary route persists due to the 'permanent' keyword.

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.

What to study next

Got this wrong? Here's your next step.

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.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this 200-301 question test?

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: Remove the primary static route and reconfigure it without the 'permanent' keyword, then verify the backup route appears in the routing table. — The primary static default route was configured with the 'permanent' keyword, which keeps the route in the routing table even when the GigabitEthernet0/0 interface goes down. This prevents the floating static route (AD 130) from becoming active. The solution is to remove the primary route (no ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 198.51.100.1 permanent) and reconfigure it without the 'permanent' keyword. After that, when the primary link fails, the route is removed, and the backup route (AD 130) enters the routing table. Option A is correct. Option B would make the backup preferred over the primary, which is not the intended behavior. Option C (adding permanent to the backup) would not help and could cause issues. Option D (track) is an alternative but not the required configuration here.

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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Last reviewed: Jun 6, 2026

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