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IP Routing →hardTroubleshootingObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The answer is to replace the primary static route with one that specifies an exit interface: `ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 GigabitEthernet1/0/1 192.0.2.2`. This is correct because a static route configured with only a next-hop IP address remains in the routing table as long as that next-hop is reachable via any active route, even if the directly connected interface fails; by adding the exit interface, the route becomes directly dependent on that interface’s operational state, so it is automatically removed when the link goes down, allowing the floating static route with a higher administrative distance (AD 200) to take over. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of recursive versus directly attached static routes and the behavior of floating static route failover troubleshooting—a common trap is assuming a next-hop IP route will vanish when the interface fails, but it may survive via a recursive lookup to a still-active path. Remember the memory tip: “Interface ties the route to the wire; without it, the route can hide behind another path.”

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.

Exhibit

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, GigabitEthernet1/0/1
L       192.0.2.1/32 is directly connected, GigabitEthernet1/0/1
     198.51.100.0/30 is subnetted, 1 subnets
C       198.51.100.0/30 is directly connected, GigabitEthernet1/0/2
L       198.51.100.1/32 is directly connected, GigabitEthernet1/0/2
S       203.0.113.0/24 [1/0] via 192.0.2.2
S       203.0.113.0/24 [200/0] via 198.51.100.2

R1# show running-config | section ip route
ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 192.0.2.2
ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 198.51.100.2

R1# show ip interface brief
Interface              IP-Address      OK? Method Status                Protocol
GigabitEthernet1/0/1   192.0.2.1       YES manual up                    up
GigabitEthernet1/0/2   198.51.100.1    YES manual up                    up

(Simulate that after failure, show ip interface brief shows Gi1/0/1 down/down, but show ip route still shows the static route via 192.0.2.2 as the best route.)

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

     198.51.100.0/30 is subnetted, 1 subnets
C       198.51.100.0/30 is directly connected, GigabitEthernet1/0/2
L       198.51.100.1/32 is directly connected, GigabitEthernet1/0/2
S       203.0.113.0/24 [1/0] via 192.0.2.2
S       203.0.113.0/24 [200/0] via 198.51.100.2

(Note: The connected route for 192.0.2.0/30 is missing, but the static route via 192.0.2.2 remains with AD 1, blocking the floating static from being installed.)

You are troubleshooting connectivity from R1 to the 203.0.113.0/24 network. R1 is a multilayer switch running routed ports. Currently, R1 has two paths to reach that network: one via R2 (192.0.2.2) and one via R3 (198.51.100.2). The path via R2 is preferred, but after a link failure between R1 and R2, traffic should automatically fail over to the R3 path. However, after the failure, traffic is still being sent to R2. Examine the routing table and configuration, then fix the issue so that the floating static route takes over correctly when the primary route is lost.

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.

Question 1hardTroubleshooting
Read the full NAT/PAT explanation →

Exhibit

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, GigabitEthernet1/0/1
L       192.0.2.1/32 is directly connected, GigabitEthernet1/0/1
     198.51.100.0/30 is subnetted, 1 subnets
C       198.51.100.0/30 is directly connected, GigabitEthernet1/0/2
L       198.51.100.1/32 is directly connected, GigabitEthernet1/0/2
S       203.0.113.0/24 [1/0] via 192.0.2.2
S       203.0.113.0/24 [200/0] via 198.51.100.2

R1# show running-config | section ip route
ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 192.0.2.2
ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 198.51.100.2

R1# show ip interface brief
Interface              IP-Address      OK? Method Status                Protocol
GigabitEthernet1/0/1   192.0.2.1       YES manual up                    up
GigabitEthernet1/0/2   198.51.100.1    YES manual up                    up

(Simulate that after failure, show ip interface brief shows Gi1/0/1 down/down, but show ip route still shows the static route via 192.0.2.2 as the best route.)

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

     198.51.100.0/30 is subnetted, 1 subnets
C       198.51.100.0/30 is directly connected, GigabitEthernet1/0/2
L       198.51.100.1/32 is directly connected, GigabitEthernet1/0/2
S       203.0.113.0/24 [1/0] via 192.0.2.2
S       203.0.113.0/24 [200/0] via 198.51.100.2

(Note: The connected route for 192.0.2.0/30 is missing, but the static route via 192.0.2.2 remains with AD 1, blocking the floating static from being installed.)

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

✓

Replace the primary static route with one that uses an exit interface: ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 GigabitEthernet1/0/1 192.0.2.2

The issue is that the primary static route to 203.0.113.0/24 via 192.0.2.2 has an administrative distance of 1 (default), and the backup floating static route via 198.51.100.2 has an AD of 200. When the next-hop interface (Gi1/0/1) goes down, the route via 192.0.2.2 should be removed from the routing table because its next-hop is unreachable. However, the show output indicates that the route remains, which suggests that the static route is configured with the 'permanent' keyword or that the next-hop is still considered reachable via some other mechanism (e.g., a recursive lookup to a still-active route). In this case, the most common fix is to add the 'track' option or to remove the static route and re-add it without the 'permanent' keyword, or to ensure that the static route uses an interface instead of just an IP address. The correct solution is to replace the primary static route with one that uses an exit interface, so that the route is automatically removed when the interface goes down. For example: 'ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 GigabitEthernet1/0/1 192.0.2.2'. This causes the route to be directly dependent on the interface state.

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.

  • ✓

    Replace the primary static route with one that uses an exit interface: ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 GigabitEthernet1/0/1 192.0.2.2

    Why this is correct

    This is correct because when a static route specifies an exit interface, the route is directly dependent on the interface state. If the interface goes down, the route is automatically removed from the routing table, allowing the floating static route with a higher AD to take over.

    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.

  • ✗

    Increase the administrative distance of the floating static route to 255

    Why it's wrong here

    This is incorrect because an AD of 255 means the route is considered unreachable and will never be installed in the routing table. The floating static route would never become active.

  • ✗

    Add the permanent keyword to the floating static route

    Why it's wrong here

    This is incorrect because the permanent keyword keeps a static route in the routing table even if the next-hop becomes unreachable. This would prevent the floating static route from taking over, as the primary route would remain.

  • ✗

    Change the administrative distance of the primary static route to 200 and the floating static route to 1

    Why it's wrong here

    This is incorrect because swapping the AD values would make the floating static route the primary route (lower AD) and the original primary route the backup. This does not fix the issue of the primary route not being removed when the interface fails.

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.

✓Replace the primary static route with one that uses an exit interface: ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 GigabitEthernet1/0/1 192.0.2.2Correct answer▾

Why this is correct

This is correct because when a static route specifies an exit interface, the route is directly dependent on the interface state. If the interface goes down, the route is automatically removed from the routing table, allowing the floating static route with a higher AD to take over.

✗Increase the administrative distance of the floating static route to 255Wrong answer — click to see why▾

Why this is wrong here

The specific factual error: An administrative distance of 255 is reserved for routes that are not considered valid; they are not installed in the routing table.

Why candidates choose this

Candidates might think that increasing the AD further ensures the backup route is only used when the primary is gone, but 255 makes it unusable.

✗Add the permanent keyword to the floating static routeWrong answer — click to see why▾

Why this is wrong here

The specific factual error: The permanent keyword forces the route to stay in the routing table regardless of reachability, which is the opposite of what is needed.

Why candidates choose this

Candidates may confuse 'permanent' with 'persistent' or think it ensures the route is always available, but it actually prevents failover.

✗Change the administrative distance of the primary static route to 200 and the floating static route to 1Wrong answer — click to see why▾

Why this is wrong here

The specific factual error: The AD values determine route preference; swapping them changes which route is preferred but does not address the removal of the route when the next-hop is unreachable.

Why candidates choose this

Candidates might think that adjusting AD is the only way to control route selection, but they overlook the need for the route to be removed when the interface goes down.

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.

Trap categories for this question

  • Keyword trap

    This is incorrect because the permanent keyword keeps a static route in the routing table even if the next-hop becomes unreachable. This would prevent the floating static route from taking over, as the primary route would remain.

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.

What to study next

Got this wrong? Here's your next step.

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.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this 200-301 question test?

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: Replace the primary static route with one that uses an exit interface: ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 GigabitEthernet1/0/1 192.0.2.2 — The issue is that the primary static route to 203.0.113.0/24 via 192.0.2.2 has an administrative distance of 1 (default), and the backup floating static route via 198.51.100.2 has an AD of 200. When the next-hop interface (Gi1/0/1) goes down, the route via 192.0.2.2 should be removed from the routing table because its next-hop is unreachable. However, the show output indicates that the route remains, which suggests that the static route is configured with the 'permanent' keyword or that the next-hop is still considered reachable via some other mechanism (e.g., a recursive lookup to a still-active route). In this case, the most common fix is to add the 'track' option or to remove the static route and re-add it without the 'permanent' keyword, or to ensure that the static route uses an interface instead of just an IP address. The correct solution is to replace the primary static route with one that uses an exit interface, so that the route is automatically removed when the interface goes down. For example: 'ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 GigabitEthernet1/0/1 192.0.2.2'. This causes the route to be directly dependent on the interface state.

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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Last reviewed: Jun 6, 2026

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