- A
The static route remains a backup and is used only if the OSPF route is lost.
This is correct because the static route’s administrative distance is higher than OSPF’s, so it floats in reserve.
- B
The static route overrides OSPF immediately because static routes always win.
Why wrong: This is wrong because route preference depends on administrative distance, not simply on whether a route is static.
- C
Both routes must be installed simultaneously because they point to the same destination.
Why wrong: This is wrong because routes from different sources are not automatically installed together unless specific conditions support that behavior.
- D
The router removes the OSPF route because the static route has a manually configured distance.
Why wrong: This is wrong because the manually configured distance is higher, so OSPF remains preferred.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is that the static route remains a backup and is used only if the OSPF route is lost. This behavior is governed by administrative distance (AD), where a lower AD indicates a more trusted route source; OSPF’s default AD of 110 is preferred over the static route’s configured AD of 200, so the router installs the OSPF route in the routing table while the static route stays in reserve as a floating static route. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this concept tests your understanding of route selection between dynamic and static protocols, often appearing in troubleshooting scenarios where a higher-AD static route is intentionally configured for redundancy. A common trap is assuming a static route always overrides dynamic routes, but the higher AD here ensures it only activates when the OSPF neighbor fails or the route is removed. Remember the memory tip: “Higher AD means lower trust—it floats until the better path is bust.”
CCNA IP Routing Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of ip routing. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. A key principle to apply: administrative distance determines the trustworthiness of routing sources, with lower values preferred over higher ones.. 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.
A router has both an OSPF route and a static route to the same destination. The static route has an administrative distance of 200. What is the expected behavior while the OSPF route remains available?
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
The static route remains a backup and is used only if the OSPF route is lost.
The static route with an administrative distance of 200 behaves as a floating backup. In plain language, the router keeps it in reserve and prefers the OSPF route while OSPF is healthy, because OSPF’s default administrative distance of 110 is lower and therefore more trusted. The static route does not disappear from the configuration, but it stays out of the active routing table unless the better route is lost. This is a very common CCNA concept because it shows how routing preference works between different route sources. The higher-distance static route is not useless; it is intentionally configured so that it becomes active only during a failure. That design provides backup routing without interfering with the normal dynamic path. The correct answer is the one describing the static route as a standby or floating route rather than as the preferred path.
Key principle: Administrative distance determines the trustworthiness of routing sources, with lower values preferred over higher ones.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
The static route remains a backup and is used only if the OSPF route is lost.
Why this is correct
This is correct because the static route’s administrative distance is higher than OSPF’s, so it floats in reserve.
Related concept
Administrative distance determines the trustworthiness of routing sources, with lower values preferred over higher ones.
- ✗
The static route overrides OSPF immediately because static routes always win.
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because route preference depends on administrative distance, not simply on whether a route is static.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario where a static route has a lower administrative distance than OSPF (e.g., a static route with a distance of 90), the static route would immediately override OSPF, making this option correct. The question would need to specify that the static route has a lower administrative distance.
- ✗
Both routes must be installed simultaneously because they point to the same destination.
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because routes from different sources are not automatically installed together unless specific conditions support that behavior.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario where both routes have the same administrative distance, such as if the static route were configured with an administrative distance of 110 (the same as OSPF), the router would install both routes and use equal-cost multipath routing to forward packets.
- ✗
The router removes the OSPF route because the static route has a manually configured distance.
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because the manually configured distance is higher, so OSPF remains preferred.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario where the static route has a lower administrative distance than the OSPF route, the router would remove the OSPF route from the routing table, making this option correct. For example, if the static route had an administrative distance of 110, it would take precedence over the OSPF route.
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 static route remains a backup and is used only if the OSPF route is lost.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
This is correct because the static route’s administrative distance is higher than OSPF’s, so it floats in reserve.
✗The static route overrides OSPF immediately because static routes always win.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Static routes do not always override dynamic routes; route selection is based on administrative distance. OSPF has a default AD of 110, which is lower than 200, so the OSPF route is preferred. The statement that static routes always win is incorrect because AD values determine preference.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario where a static route has a lower administrative distance than OSPF (e.g., a static route with a distance of 90), the static route would immediately override OSPF, making this option correct. The question would need to specify that the static route has a lower administrative distance.
Why candidates choose this
Students often mistakenly believe that static routes are inherently preferred over dynamic routes due to their manual configuration. However, AD is the decisive factor, and a static route with a higher AD is less preferred.
✗Both routes must be installed simultaneously because they point to the same destination.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Routers install only the best route (lowest AD) for a given destination in the routing table, unless equal-cost multipath (ECMP) is configured with identical metrics. Since OSPF and static routes have different ADs, they are not installed simultaneously; only the OSPF route is used.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario where both routes have the same administrative distance, such as if the static route were configured with an administrative distance of 110 (the same as OSPF), the router would install both routes and use equal-cost multipath routing to forward packets.
Why candidates choose this
Some students think that multiple routes to the same destination are always installed together for load balancing. However, load balancing requires equal AD and metric; otherwise, only the best route is installed.
✗The router removes the OSPF route because the static route has a manually configured distance.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The router does not remove the OSPF route because the static route has a manually configured distance. The OSPF route has a lower AD (110) than the static route's AD (200), so OSPF remains the preferred route and stays in the routing table.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario where the static route has a lower administrative distance than the OSPF route, the router would remove the OSPF route from the routing table, making this option correct. For example, if the static route had an administrative distance of 110, it would take precedence over the OSPF route.
Why candidates choose this
Students may think that a manually configured distance on a static route gives it some special priority. However, the AD value is compared numerically; a higher AD means lower preference, so OSPF is not removed.
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
Remember that lower administrative distance means higher preference, regardless of whether a route is static or dynamic.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Administrative distance (AD) is a key concept in Cisco routing that determines the trustworthiness of a route source. Each routing protocol and route type has a default AD value, with lower values indicating more preferred routes. OSPF has a default AD of 110, while static routes default to 1 but can be manually configured to any value, including higher values like 200 to create floating static routes. When multiple routes to the same destination exist, the router installs the route with the lowest AD into the routing table. In this scenario, the static route has an AD of 200, which is higher than OSPF's 110. This means the router prefers the OSPF route and installs it in the routing table as long as it is available. The static route acts as a floating backup route, remaining in the configuration but not used unless the OSPF route fails or is withdrawn. This behavior ensures seamless failover without manual intervention. A common exam trap is assuming that static routes always override dynamic routes regardless of AD. In reality, the router compares AD values and prefers the route with the lowest AD. Configuring a static route with a higher AD intentionally creates a backup route that only activates when the primary dynamic route is lost. This design is practical for network redundancy and is a frequent topic in CCNA exams to test understanding of routing preferences and administrative distance.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Administrative distance determines the trustworthiness of routing sources, with lower values preferred over higher ones.
- OSPF routes have a default administrative distance of 110, which is lower than a static route configured with an AD of 200.
- A static route with a higher administrative distance than a dynamic route acts as a floating backup route.
- The router installs the route with the lowest administrative distance into the routing table and uses it for forwarding.
- Floating static routes remain in the configuration but are inactive unless the preferred dynamic route becomes unavailable.
- Manually increasing the administrative distance of a static route is a common technique to create backup routes.
- Routing preference is based on administrative distance, not on whether a route is static or dynamic by default.
- The router does not remove a dynamic route if a static route with a higher administrative distance exists.
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
Administrative distance determines the trustworthiness of routing sources, with lower values preferred over higher ones.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A network engineer at a university connects two campus buildings via a fibre link. Both routers run OSPF, but no adjacency forms — even though both routers can ping each other. The engineer finds one router is in area 0 and the other in area 1. OSPF adjacency requires matching area numbers, hello/dead timers, and network type. IP reachability alone is not enough.
What to study next
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Review administrative distance determines the trustworthiness of routing sources, with lower values preferred over higher ones., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
IP Routing — This question tests IP Routing — Administrative distance determines the trustworthiness of routing sources, with lower values preferred over higher ones..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The static route remains a backup and is used only if the OSPF route is lost. — The static route with an administrative distance of 200 behaves as a floating backup. In plain language, the router keeps it in reserve and prefers the OSPF route while OSPF is healthy, because OSPF’s default administrative distance of 110 is lower and therefore more trusted. The static route does not disappear from the configuration, but it stays out of the active routing table unless the better route is lost. This is a very common CCNA concept because it shows how routing preference works between different route sources. The higher-distance static route is not useless; it is intentionally configured so that it becomes active only during a failure. That design provides backup routing without interfering with the normal dynamic path. The correct answer is the one describing the static route as a standby or floating route rather than as the preferred path.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review administrative distance determines the trustworthiness of routing sources, with lower values preferred over higher ones., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Administrative distance determines the trustworthiness of routing sources, with lower values preferred over higher ones.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on 200-301
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A branch router learns a route to 10.20.30.0/24 from OSPF with metric 30 and also has a static route to the same prefix with an administrative distance of 5. Which route will appear in the routing table?
medium- A.The OSPF route because metric 30 is lower than the static route metric
- ✓ B.The static route because its administrative distance is lower
- C.Both routes with equal preference because they point to the same prefix
- D.Neither route until the router performs a full SPF recalculation
Why B: The router installs the static route because administrative distance is compared before metric when two different routing sources advertise the same prefix. OSPF metric matters only against other OSPF choices, not against a lower-AD static route.
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Last reviewed: May 17, 2026
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