The answer is to remove the static route to 192.168.10.0/24 via 198.51.100.2 and add a floating static route via that same next-hop with an Administrative Distance (AD) of 200, while ensuring the primary route via 192.0.2.2 uses the default AD of 1. This is correct because a floating static route AD is intentionally set higher than the primary route’s AD, making it less preferred; the router always chooses the path with the lowest AD. In this scenario, the backup route was mistakenly given the default AD of 1, making it preferred over the primary path configured with AD 200—exactly the opposite of the intended failover behavior. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this tests your understanding of how AD values determine route selection and the proper configuration of backup paths. A common trap is assuming a higher AD makes a route more reliable, when in fact a lower AD means higher trust. Memory tip: think of AD as a “priority number”—lower is better, so a floating static route must “float” above the primary with a higher number to stay hidden until needed.
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
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.
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
192.0.2.0/30 is subnetted, 1 subnets
C 192.0.2.0/30 is directly connected, GigabitEthernet0/0
198.51.100.0/30 is subnetted, 1 subnets
C 198.51.100.0/30 is directly connected, GigabitEthernet0/1
192.168.10.0/24 is subnetted, 1 subnets
S 192.168.10.0/24 [1/0] via 198.51.100.2
R1# show running-config | section ip route
ip route 192.168.10.0 255.255.255.0 198.51.100.2
ip route 192.168.10.0 255.255.255.0 192.0.2.2 200
A
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.
This corrects the AD values: the primary path gets the lower AD (1) and the backup gets a higher AD (200), so the primary is preferred when available.
B
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 wrong: 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.
C
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 wrong: This removes the backup route entirely, which eliminates redundancy. The requirement is for automatic failover, not removal of the backup.
D
Configure a policy-based route to prefer the next-hop 192.0.2.2 for traffic to 192.168.10.0/24.
Why wrong: Policy-based routing (PBR) is not the standard solution for simple primary/backup path selection; static route AD manipulation is the correct method.
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.
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 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
This corrects the AD values: the primary path gets the lower AD (1) and the backup gets a higher AD (200), so the primary is preferred when available.
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 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
This removes the backup route entirely, which eliminates redundancy. The requirement is for automatic failover, not removal of the backup.
✗
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 not the standard solution for simple primary/backup path selection; static routeAD manipulation is the correct method.
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
This corrects the AD values: the primary path gets the lower AD (1) and the backup gets a higher AD (200), so the primary is preferred when available.
✗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?”
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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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