The answer is to configure the IPv6 static route using the exit interface GigabitEthernet0/0 instead of a next-hop address, and to set the IPv4 default route’s administrative distance to 200. This resolves the recursive routing failure because the IPv6 next-hop 2001:db8:0:1::2 is not directly connected, forcing the router to perform a recursive lookup that fails without a route to that subnet; specifying the exit interface bypasses recursion entirely. For the floating static default, the default administrative distance of 1 on the existing route prevents it from acting as a backup, so raising it to 200 ensures it only activates when the directly connected default route fails. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this tests your understanding of recursive versus directly connected static routes and floating static concepts—a common trap is forgetting that IPv6 static routes often require an exit interface when the next-hop is not on a directly connected link. Memory tip: for recursive failures, “point to the port, not the peer.”
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 connected to R1. Configure IPv4 and IPv6 static routes so that R1 can reach the loopback networks on R2 (192.0.2.0/24 and 2001:db8:1::/32) via G0/0. Also, configure a floating static default route via G0/1 (next-hop 203.0.113.2) with an administrative distance of 200 so that it is only used if the directly connected default route fails. The current configuration has a recursive routing failure for the IPv6 route and a missing default route.
R1# show running-config | section ip route
ip route 192.0.2.0 255.255.255.0 10.0.0.2
ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 203.0.113.2
!
R1# show running-config | section ipv6 route
ipv6 route 2001:db8:1::/32 2001:db8:0:1::2
!
R1# show ip route
Codes: C - connected, S - static, ...
10.0.0.0/30 is subnetted, 1 subnets
C 10.0.0.0/30 is directly connected, GigabitEthernet0/0
S 192.0.2.0/24 [1/0] via 10.0.0.2
S* 0.0.0.0/0 [1/0] via 203.0.113.2
!
R1# show ipv6 route
IPv6 Routing Table - default - 3 entries
C 2001:db8:0:1::/64 [0/0]
via GigabitEthernet0/0, directly connected
S 2001:db8:1::/32 [1/0]
via 2001:db8:0:1::2
!
A
ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 203.0.113.2 200
ipv6 route 2001:db8:1::/32 GigabitEthernet0/0
This configuration correctly sets the floating static default route with AD 200 and fixes the IPv6 recursive routing failure by using the exit interface instead of a next-hop address.
B
ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 203.0.113.2 200
ipv6 route 2001:db8:1::/32 2001:db8:0:1::2
Why wrong: This is incorrect because the IPv6 static route uses a next-hop address that is not directly connected, causing a recursive routing failure.
C
ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 203.0.113.2
ipv6 route 2001:db8:1::/32 GigabitEthernet0/0
Why wrong: This is incorrect because the default route is not configured as a floating static route; it has the default AD of 1, so it will always be preferred over a connected default route.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because the IPv6 route still uses a non-directly connected next-hop, and the AD of 200 is unnecessary for a static route to a loopback network.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 203.0.113.2 200
ipv6 route 2001:db8:1::/32 GigabitEthernet0/0
The IPv6 static route uses a next-hop address (2001:db8:0:1::2) that is not directly connected; the router will attempt recursive lookup but fails because there is no route to that subnet. The fix is to use the exit interface (GigabitEthernet0/0) instead. The IPv4 default route is present but has AD 1, which prevents it from being a floating route; change it to AD 200 so it only activates when the connected default route (if any) is down. The task did not require a connected default route, so the floating static is the only default.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 203.0.113.2 200
ipv6 route 2001:db8:1::/32 GigabitEthernet0/0
Why this is correct
This configuration correctly sets the floating static default route with AD 200 and fixes the IPv6 recursive routing failure by using the exit interface instead of a next-hop address.
ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 203.0.113.2 200
ipv6 route 2001:db8:1::/32 2001:db8:0:1::2
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because the IPv6 static route uses a next-hop address that is not directly connected, causing a recursive routing failure.
✗
ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 203.0.113.2
ipv6 route 2001:db8:1::/32 GigabitEthernet0/0
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because the default route is not configured as a floating static route; it has the default AD of 1, so it will always be preferred over a connected default route.
This is incorrect because the IPv6 route still uses a non-directly connected next-hop, and the AD of 200 is unnecessary for a static route to a loopback network.
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.
This configuration correctly sets the floating static default route with AD 200 and fixes the IPv6 recursive routing failure by using the exit interface instead of a next-hop address.
✗ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 203.0.113.2 200
ipv6 route 2001:db8:1::/32 2001:db8:0:1::2Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The IPv6 next-hop 2001:db8:0:1::2 is not reachable via a directly connected network; the router cannot resolve it.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates often think a next-hop address is always valid, but it must be directly connected or reachable via another route.
✗ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 203.0.113.2
ipv6 route 2001:db8:1::/32 GigabitEthernet0/0Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The administrative distance must be set to a higher value (e.g., 200) to make it a floating route.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may forget to add the AD parameter, assuming the route will automatically be floating.
✗ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 203.0.113.2 200
ipv6 route 2001:db8:1::/32 2001:db8:0:1::2 200Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The IPv6 route fails due to recursive lookup failure; adding AD does not fix the next-hop issue.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think adding an AD to the IPv6 route solves the problem, but the core issue is the next-hop not being directly connected.
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: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
→Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
→Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
→Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A network engineer segments a warehouse floor into three subnets: 20 scanners, 5 printers, and 2 management hosts. Picking the wrong mask wastes addresses or leaves too few usable hosts. Exam questions test whether you can apply CIDR notation, calculate block size, and identify the correct usable-host range for a given prefix.
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 block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related 200-301 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
IP Routing — This question tests IP Routing — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 203.0.113.2 200
ipv6 route 2001:db8:1::/32 GigabitEthernet0/0 — The IPv6 static route uses a next-hop address (2001:db8:0:1::2) that is not directly connected; the router will attempt recursive lookup but fails because there is no route to that subnet. The fix is to use the exit interface (GigabitEthernet0/0) instead. The IPv4 default route is present but has AD 1, which prevents it from being a floating route; change it to AD 200 so it only activates when the connected default route (if any) is down. The task did not require a connected default route, so the floating static is the only default.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related 200-301 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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 →
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. You are connected to R1. Configure IPv4 and IPv6 static routes so that R1 can reach the loopback networks on R2 and R3 (203.0.113.0/24 and 2001:db8:1::/48) with proper failover. Ensure that the primary link (G0/0 to R2) is preferred over the backup link (G0/1 to R3) using a floating static route with an appropriate administrative distance. Additionally, configure a default route on R1 for IPv4 and IPv6 so that traffic to unknown destinations is forwarded via the primary link. Troubleshoot the existing configuration to identify and fix a recursive routing failure caused by a wrong next-hop address in one of the static routes.
hard
✓ A.The recursive routing failure is caused by a missing route to the next-hop network; correct by changing the static route to use an exit interface: `ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 GigabitEthernet0/0 10.0.0.2`
B.The floating static route for IPv4 should have an administrative distance of 1 to ensure it is preferred over the primary route.
C.The IPv6 static route to 2001:db8:1::/48 should use a next-hop of 2001:db8:0:1::1 (R1's own interface) to ensure reachability.
D.The default route for IPv4 should be configured with an administrative distance of 200 to match the floating static route.
Why A: The recursive routing failure occurs because the static route `ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 10.0.0.2` requires R1 to have a route to the next-hop network (10.0.0.0/30) in its routing table. Since 10.0.0.0/30 is directly connected via G0/0, the route should install, but if the interface is down or misconfigured, recursion fails. The fix is to specify both the exit interface and next-hop: `ip route 203.0.113.0 255.255.255.0 GigabitEthernet0/0 10.0.0.2`, which avoids recursive lookup. Option B is wrong because an administrative distance of 1 would make the floating static route equal to the default AD of the primary static route, defeating failover; the floating route should have a higher AD (e.g., 200). Option C is wrong because using R1's own interface address (2001:db8:0:1::1) as next-hop would point the route back to itself, not to R2; the correct next-hop is R2's link-local or global address on G0/0. Option D is wrong because the default route for IPv4 should have the default AD of 1 to be preferred over the floating static route; setting it to 200 would make it equally preferred and could cause routing loops.
Variation 2. You are connected to R1. Configure static routes so that R1 can reach the IPv4 network 203.0.113.0/24 and the IPv6 network 2001:db8:acad:1::/64 via R2 (G0/0 10.0.0.2/30). Additionally, configure a floating static default route (IPv4) with an administrative distance of 200 via R2, and a fully specified IPv6 default route via R2. Then, verify that the IPv4 static route to 203.0.113.0/24 is correctly installed by checking the routing table. The current configuration has an incorrect next-hop causing recursive routing failure for the IPv4 static route.
hard
✓ A.Change the IPv4 static route next-hop from 10.0.0.1 to 10.0.0.2, change the IPv6 static route next-hop from 10.0.0.2 to 2001:db8:acad:2::2, and change the IPv6 default route to use next-hop 2001:db8:acad:2::2.
B.Change the IPv4 static route next-hop from 10.0.0.1 to 10.0.0.2, and change the IPv6 static route to use exit interface G0/0 instead of a next-hop.
C.Change the IPv4 static route next-hop from 10.0.0.1 to 10.0.0.2, and change the IPv4 default route administrative distance to 1.
D.Change the IPv4 static route next-hop from 10.0.0.1 to 10.0.0.2, and change the IPv6 default route to use exit interface G0/0.
Why A: The IPv4 static route to 203.0.113.0/24 incorrectly uses next-hop 10.0.0.1 (R1's own interface) instead of 10.0.0.2 (R2), causing recursive routing failure because R1 tries to reach itself. To fix, change the next-hop to 10.0.0.2. The IPv6 static route to 2001:db8:acad:1::/64 also incorrectly uses an IPv4 next-hop; it must be a fully specified IPv6 next-hop (2001:db8:acad:2::2) or an exit interface. The IPv4 default route has AD 200 which is correct for a floating route, but it is not shown in the routing table because there is no route to the next-hop; after fixing the recursive route, the default route will appear. The IPv6 default route uses an IPv4 next-hop which is invalid; it should be a fully specified IPv6 route (e.g., ipv6 route ::/0 2001:db8:acad:2::2).
Variation 3. Drag and drop the following steps into the correct order to configure an IPv4 default static route with a floating backup route on a Cisco router.
medium
✓ A.Enter privileged EXEC mode using the enable command.
✓ B.Enter global configuration mode using the configure terminal command.
✓ C.Configure the primary default static route with ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 [primary-next-hop].
✓ D.Configure the floating backup static route with ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 [backup-next-hop] [higher-AD].
✓ E.Exit global configuration mode using the end command.
✓ F.Save the configuration using the copy running-config startup-config command.
Why A: The correct order is: 1. Enter privileged EXEC mode using the enable command, because you must be in privileged mode to enter global configuration. 2. Enter global configuration mode with configure terminal, as static routes are configured in global configuration. 3. Configure the primary default route using ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 <next-hop> with default administrative distance (1), establishing the primary path. 4. Configure the floating backup route using ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 <backup-next-hop> <higher-AD> (e.g., 10), so it is less preferred. 5. Exit global configuration mode using end to return to privileged EXEC. 6. Save the configuration with copy running-config startup-config to ensure the routes persist after a reboot.
Variation 4. Drag and drop the following steps into the correct order to configure and verify a floating IPv4 static route as a backup path.
medium
✓ A.Configure the primary static route to the destination network using the primary next-hop address, leaving the administrative distance at its default value (1).
✓ B.Check the administrative distance of the configured primary route (default is 1 for static routes).
✓ C.Configure the floating static route to the same destination network using the backup next-hop address and an administrative distance higher than the primary (for example, AD 10).
✓ D.Issue the show ip route command to confirm that only the primary route is currently installed in the routing table.
✓ E.Shut down the primary outgoing interface to simulate a failure of the primary path.
✓ F.Re-issue the show ip route command to verify that the floating static route is now installed and providing backup connectivity.
Why A: The correct order begins with configuring the primary static route because it defines the main path. Checking its administrative distance (default 1) is essential to then set a higher AD for the floating route, ensuring it acts only as a backup. Next, the floating static route is configured with a higher AD so it is less preferred. Verification of the routing table shows only the primary route installed. Simulating a failure by shutting down the primary interface triggers the failover. Finally, rechecking the routing table confirms the floating route is now active, proving backup operation.
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