Question 1hardmultiple choice
Full question →hardmultiple choiceObjective-mapped
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 choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Distractor review
The backup route has a higher administrative distance and therefore is never considered
That higher AD is exactly what makes it a floating backup.
B
Best answer
The primary static route remains installed because there is no tracking to remove it
Without IP SLA or object tracking, the router may keep the primary route.
C
Distractor review
Floating statics work only with dynamic routing protocols
They work perfectly well without dynamic routing.
D
Distractor review
The backup route must use the same next hop as the primary route
A backup usually points to a different next hop.
Common exam trap
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.
Technical deep dive
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.
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More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A router learns the same prefix from both OSPF and EIGRP. Which route is installed by default?
Question 2
A router shows this output: R1#show ip ospf neighbor Neighbor ID Pri State Dead Time Address Interface 10.1.1.2 1 FULL/DR 00:00:34 192.168.12.2 GigabitEthernet0/0 10.1.1.3 1 2WAY/DROTHER 00:00:39 192.168.12.3 GigabitEthernet0/0 Which statement is correct?
Question 3
What is the OSPF metric called?
Question 4
A non-root switch has two uplinks toward the root bridge. One path has a lower total STP cost than the other. What role will the lower-cost uplink have?
Question 5
A router interface applies this ACL inbound: 10 deny tcp any any eq 80 20 permit ip any any A user reports that web browsing to a server by IP address fails, but ping works. Which statement best explains the behavior?
Question 6
A router learns route 198.51.100.0/24 from OSPF with AD 110 and also has a static route to the same prefix configured with AD 150. Which route is installed?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
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?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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