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. A key principle to apply: a floating static route uses a higher administrative distance than the primary route to act as a backup and only installs when the primary route is removed.. 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
ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 10.1.1.2
ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 10.1.2.2 200
Primary interface remains up/up when upstream device fails.
Exhibit: R1 has a default route pointing to 10.1.1.2. Users lose internet access when that next hop fails, even though a floating static backup exists. Why is the backup not installed?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The primary static route remains installed because there is no tracking to remove it
A floating static route is used only when the primary route disappears from the routing table. If the primary interface stays up and the next hop becomes unreachable beyond that segment, the route can remain installed unless tracking or another detection mechanism removes it.
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
The backup route has a higher administrative distance and therefore is never considered
Why it's wrong here
That higher AD is exactly what makes it a floating backup.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario, if the question stated that the backup route had an administrative distance of 20 while the primary route had an administrative distance of 10, then option A would be correct, as the backup would never be considered due to the higher administrative distance.
✓
The primary static route remains installed because there is no tracking to remove it
Why this is correct
Without IP SLA or object tracking, the router may keep the primary route.
Floating statics work only with dynamic routing protocols
Why it's wrong here
They work perfectly well without dynamic routing.
When this WOULD be correct
In a question where the configuration of a router includes both static and dynamic routing protocols, and the scenario specifies that floating static routes are not being utilized due to the presence of a dynamic routing protocol, this option would be correct. For example, if the question stated that a floating static route was not being considered because a dynamic protocol was overriding it, then this option would apply.
✗
The backup route must use the same next hop as the primary route
Why it's wrong here
A backup usually points to a different next hop.
When this WOULD be correct
In a scenario where a question specifies that both the primary and backup static routes must have the same next hop for redundancy to be valid, this option would be correct. For example, if the exam states that both routes are required to point to the same next hop for the floating static to take effect.
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.
✓The primary static route remains installed because there is no tracking to remove itCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
Without IP SLA or object tracking, the router may keep the primary route.
✗The backup route has a higher administrative distance and therefore is never consideredWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This option is incorrect because the backup route can still be installed if it has a lower administrative distance than the primary route. In this scenario, the backup route is not being utilized due to the primary route remaining active without tracking.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario, if the question stated that the backup route had an administrative distance of 20 while the primary route had an administrative distance of 10, then option A would be correct, as the backup would never be considered due to the higher administrative distance.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may choose this option because they understand that administrative distance affects route selection, leading them to mistakenly believe that a higher distance always prevents a route from being used, without considering the specific context of the question.
✗Floating statics work only with dynamic routing protocolsWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This option is incorrect because floating static routes can indeed work alongside dynamic routing protocols, allowing for backup routes to be installed when the primary route fails. The scenario described in the question does not involve dynamic routing protocols, making this option irrelevant.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a question where the configuration of a router includes both static and dynamic routing protocols, and the scenario specifies that floating static routes are not being utilized due to the presence of a dynamic routing protocol, this option would be correct. For example, if the question stated that a floating static route was not being considered because a dynamic protocol was overriding it, then this option would apply.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may choose this option due to a misunderstanding of how floating static routes interact with dynamic routing protocols, leading them to believe that such routes are incompatible with dynamic routing configurations.
✗The backup route must use the same next hop as the primary routeWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This option is incorrect because a floating static route can exist with a different next hop than the primary route. The backup route does not need to share the same next hop to be considered for installation when the primary fails.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a scenario where a question specifies that both the primary and backup static routes must have the same next hop for redundancy to be valid, this option would be correct. For example, if the exam states that both routes are required to point to the same next hop for the floating static to take effect.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may choose this option due to a misunderstanding of how floating static routes function, mistakenly believing that they require identical next hops to be valid. This misconception can stem from confusion with dynamic routing protocols that often have stricter requirements.
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
A frequent exam trap is believing that a floating static route activates automatically when the primary next hop fails. Many candidates overlook that the router only removes the primary static route if it detects the route is invalid or unreachable. Without IP SLA or object tracking, the router sees the primary route as valid because the interface remains up, so it never installs the backup route. This misunderstanding causes confusion about why users lose internet access despite a floating static backup being configured. The exam tests your knowledge of how Cisco routers handle administrative distance and route tracking, not just static route configuration.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
A floating static route is a static route configured with an administrative distance higher than the primary route, so it acts as a backup route that only becomes active when the primary route is removed from the routing table. Administrative distance (AD) is a value that routers use to select the best path when multiple routes to the same destination exist. The route with the lowest AD is preferred and installed in the routing table. In Cisco routers, static routes have an AD of 1 by default, but floating static routes typically have a higher AD (e.g., 10, 200) to ensure they are only used when the primary route fails.
The key to floating static routes working correctly is route removal detection. If the primary static route remains in the routing table, even if the next hop is unreachable, the floating static route will not be installed. This happens because the router does not automatically detect next-hop reachability beyond the directly connected interface. To solve this, IP SLA tracking or object tracking must be configured to monitor the next hop or interface state. When tracking detects failure, it removes the primary route, allowing the floating static route to be installed.
A common exam trap is assuming that a floating static route automatically activates when the next hop fails. However, without tracking mechanisms, the router keeps the primary route as long as the interface is up, even if the next hop is unreachable beyond that segment. This leads to loss of connectivity despite the backup route existing. Practically, network engineers must configure IP SLA or object tracking to ensure floating static routes function as intended and provide true redundancy in routing.
KKey Concepts to Remember
A floating static route uses a higher administrative distance than the primary route to act as a backup and only installs when the primary route is removed.
Cisco routers select the route with the lowest administrative distance to install in the routing table, ignoring higher AD routes unless the primary route disappears.
Without IP SLA or object tracking, a primary static route remains installed even if the next hop beyond the interface is unreachable, preventing backup route activation.
IP SLA and object tracking monitor next-hop reachability or interface status to dynamically remove the primary route when it fails, enabling floating static route failover.
Static routes with the same next hop as the primary route do not provide effective backup; floating static routes typically point to a different next hop.
Floating static routes function independently of dynamic routing protocols and rely on administrative distance and tracking mechanisms for failover.
The router does not automatically detect next-hop failure beyond the directly connected interface without tracking, causing the primary route to persist.
Proper configuration of floating static routes requires combining administrative distance settings with tracking to ensure reliable route failover.
TExam Day Tips
→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
A floating static route uses a higher administrative distance than the primary route to act as a backup and only installs when the primary route is removed.
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. A floating static route uses a higher administrative distance than the primary route to act as a backup and only installs when the primary route is removed. 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.
Review a floating static route uses a higher administrative distance than the primary route to act as a backup and only installs when the primary route is removed., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
IP Routing — This question tests IP Routing — A floating static route uses a higher administrative distance than the primary route to act as a backup and only installs when the primary route is removed..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The primary static route remains installed because there is no tracking to remove it — A floating static route is used only when the primary route disappears from the routing table. If the primary interface stays up and the next hop becomes unreachable beyond that segment, the route can remain installed unless tracking or another detection mechanism removes it.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review a floating static route uses a higher administrative distance than the primary route to act as a backup and only installs when the primary route is removed., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
A floating static route uses a higher administrative distance than the primary route to act as a backup and only installs when the primary route is removed.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.