CCNA IP Routing Practice Question
Network Topology
You are troubleshooting a network connectivity issue on R1. The network 192.168.10.0/24 behind R2 must be reachable from R1 via the primary path through R2 (192.0.2.2). A backup path via R3 (198.51.100.2) should automatically take over if the primary fails. Currently, traffic to 192.168.10.0/24 is incorrectly using the backup path even though the primary path is operational. Analyze the routing table and configuration, then fix the issue so that the primary path is preferred when available.
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap is confusing which route is primary and which is backup. The route with lower AD is preferred, so the backup must have a higher AD. Candidates often misconfigure the AD values, setting the primary with a higher AD.
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 static route to 192.168.10.0/24 via 198.51.100.2 and add a floating static route via 198.51.100.2 with AD 200. Ensure the primary route via 192.0.2.2 uses default AD 1.
The routing table shows a static route to 192.168.10.0/24 via 198.51.100.2 with Administrative Distance (AD) 1, which is the default for static routes. The intended primary path via 192.0.2.2 was configured with AD 200 (floating static), but because the default AD (1) is lower than 200, the backup route is preferred. The fix is to reconfigure the primary path with the default AD (1) and the backup path with a higher AD (e.g., 200). This ensures the primary path is used when available and the backup takes over only if the primary fails.
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 static route to 192.168.10.0/24 via 198.51.100.2 and add a floating static route via 198.51.100.2 with AD 200. Ensure the primary route via 192.0.2.2 uses default AD 1.
Why this is correct
The correct fix is to manipulate administrative distance (AD) so the primary path via 192.0.2.2 remains the default AD 1, while the backup path via 198.51.100.2 is configured as a floating static route with AD 200. This ensures the primary route is always preferred when its next-hop is reachable, and the backup only appears in the routing table when the primary is removed or lost. The lower AD (1) wins for the same prefix, so the backup at AD 200 is kept as a standby, providing automatic failover without manual intervention. This is the standard Cisco solution for primary/backup static route redundancy.
- ✗
Change the AD of the static route via 192.0.2.2 to 200 and the AD of the route via 198.51.100.2 to 1.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because it suggests modifying both routes, but the primary route already has AD 1 (default) and the backup has AD 1 as well; the fix is to increase the backup's AD, not change the primary's.
- ✗
Add a static route to 192.168.10.0/24 via 192.0.2.2 with AD 1 and remove the existing route via 198.51.100.2.
Why it's wrong here
Simply adding a primary static route via 192.0.2.2 with AD 1 and removing the existing 198.51.100.2 route eliminates all redundancy. If the 192.0.2.2 next-hop fails, there is no backup route to 192.168.10.0/24, so traffic is dropped instead of automatically failing over. The requirement explicitly calls for automatic failover, which necessitates keeping a backup path with a higher AD. Removing the backup route defeats the entire purpose of floating static routes, making this option incorrect.
- ✗
Configure a policy-based route to prefer the next-hop 192.0.2.2 for traffic to 192.168.10.0/24.
Why it's wrong here
Policy-based routing (PBR) is designed to steer traffic based on complex conditions like source addresses, packet sizes, or application protocols, not for simple primary/backup path selection. In contrast, floating static routes with differing AD values are the intended, low-overhead mechanism for basic failover to a single destination prefix. PBR would also require route-map and next-hop configuration that does not automatically track the reachability of the primary next-hop the same way as AD-based static route failover. Additionally, PBR adds CPU overhead and configuration complexity, whereas the scenario's goal is straightforward path redundancy, making static route AD manipulation the correct answer.
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 static route to 192.168.10.0/24 via 198.51.100.2 and add a floating static route via 198.51.100.2 with AD 200. Ensure the primary route via 192.0.2.2 uses default AD 1.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
The correct fix is to manipulate administrative distance (AD) so the primary path via 192.0.2.2 remains the default AD 1, while the backup path via 198.51.100.2 is configured as a floating static route with AD 200. This ensures the primary route is always preferred when its next-hop is reachable, and the backup only appears in the routing table when the primary is removed or lost. The lower AD (1) wins for the same prefix, so the backup at AD 200 is kept as a standby, providing automatic failover without manual intervention. This is the standard Cisco solution for primary/backup static route redundancy.
✗Change the AD of the static route via 192.0.2.2 to 200 and the AD of the route via 198.51.100.2 to 1.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Swapping the AD values would keep the backup route preferred because it still has a lower AD (1) than the primary route (200), maintaining the incorrect routing behavior.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think both ADs need adjustment, but the primary already has a lower AD (1) in the routing table; the issue is the backup's AD is too low.
✗Add a static route to 192.168.10.0/24 via 192.0.2.2 with AD 1 and remove the existing route via 198.51.100.2.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The backup path must remain but with a higher AD; removing it defeats the purpose of redundancy.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think removing the incorrect route solves the problem, but it ignores the need for a backup path.
✗Configure a policy-based route to prefer the next-hop 192.0.2.2 for traffic to 192.168.10.0/24.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
PBR adds complexity and is unnecessary; the issue is administrative distance, not policy-based forwarding.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may recall PBR as a way to influence path selection, but it's overkill and not the intended fix for floating static routes.
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?”
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
OSPFv3 Single-Area Configuration for IPv6
Key term
Route
A route is a path that data takes through a network from one device or network to another, determined by routing protocols and configured rules.
Key term
Static route
A static route is a manually configured path in a router's routing table that tells the router exactly where to send packets for a specific destination network.
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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.