- A
1. Configure interface with 'standby version 2' on both routers. 2. Configure virtual IP with 'standby <group> ip <virtual-ip>'. 3. Set priority on active router with 'standby <group> priority <value>'. 4. Enable preempt with 'standby <group> preempt'. 5. Verify with 'show standby' and test failover.
This is the correct order: first ensure both routers use HSRP version 2, then assign the virtual IP, set priority to determine active router, enable preempt so the higher-priority router takes over after a failure, and finally verify the configuration.
- B
1. Configure virtual IP with 'standby <group> ip <virtual-ip>'. 2. Enable preempt with 'standby <group> preempt'. 3. Set priority on active router with 'standby <group> priority <value>'. 4. Configure interface with 'standby version 2' on both routers. 5. Verify with 'show standby' and test failover.
This order is incorrect because HSRP version must be configured before the virtual IP and other parameters; otherwise, the routers may default to version 1, causing incompatibility.
- C
1. Set priority on active router with 'standby <group> priority <value>'. 2. Enable preempt with 'standby <group> preempt'. 3. Configure interface with 'standby version 2' on both routers. 4. Configure virtual IP with 'standby <group> ip <virtual-ip>'. 5. Verify with 'show standby' and test failover.
This order is incorrect because priority and preempt are configured after the virtual IP; the virtual IP must be set first to establish the HSRP group.
- D
1. Enable preempt with 'standby <group> preempt'. 2. Set priority on active router with 'standby <group> priority <value>'. 3. Configure virtual IP with 'standby <group> ip <virtual-ip>'. 4. Configure interface with 'standby version 2' on both routers. 5. Verify with 'show standby' and test failover.
This order is incorrect because preempt and priority cannot be configured before the HSRP group is created with the virtual IP command; also, version should be set first.
Quick Answer
The correct order is: configure HSRP version 2 on both interfaces, then the virtual IP, then set priority on the active router, then enable preempt, and finally verify with show standby. This sequence is critical because HSRP version 2 must be enabled first to ensure both routers negotiate using the same protocol version—otherwise, they will not form a group. The virtual IP must come before priority and preempt since those commands reference an existing HSRP group; without the virtual IP, the group does not exist. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this drag-and-drop task tests your understanding of the HSRP election process and the logical dependency between configuration steps. A common trap is placing preempt before priority, but preempt only triggers a takeover when a higher priority is already set. Remember the mnemonic “VIPs Prefer Priority Preempt” to recall the order: Version, IP, Priority, Preempt.
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. 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.
Drag and drop the following steps into the correct order to configure HSRP version 2 on a pair of routers, set the active router via priority and preempt, then verify the election and failover process.
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
1. Configure interface with 'standby version 2' on both routers. 2. Configure virtual IP with 'standby <group> ip <virtual-ip>'. 3. Set priority on active router with 'standby <group> priority <value>'. 4. Enable preempt with 'standby <group> preempt'. 5. Verify with 'show standby' and test failover.
The correct order is: first configure HSRP version 2 on both routers to ensure they use the same protocol version. Then configure the virtual IP address; the virtual IP must be set before priority and preempt because priority and preempt reference the HSRP group that already has a virtual IP. Next, set the priority on the desired active router; priority determines which router becomes active when both have equal preempt settings. Finally, enable preempt to allow the higher-priority router to take over if it recovers after a failure. The verify step confirms the active router and failover behavior.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
1. Configure interface with 'standby version 2' on both routers. 2. Configure virtual IP with 'standby <group> ip <virtual-ip>'. 3. Set priority on active router with 'standby <group> priority <value>'. 4. Enable preempt with 'standby <group> preempt'. 5. Verify with 'show standby' and test failover.
Why this is correct
This is the correct order: first ensure both routers use HSRP version 2, then assign the virtual IP, set priority to determine active router, enable preempt so the higher-priority router takes over after a failure, and finally verify the configuration.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
1. Configure virtual IP with 'standby <group> ip <virtual-ip>'. 2. Enable preempt with 'standby <group> preempt'. 3. Set priority on active router with 'standby <group> priority <value>'. 4. Configure interface with 'standby version 2' on both routers. 5. Verify with 'show standby' and test failover.
Why this is correct
This order is incorrect because HSRP version must be configured before the virtual IP and other parameters; otherwise, the routers may default to version 1, causing incompatibility.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
1. Set priority on active router with 'standby <group> priority <value>'. 2. Enable preempt with 'standby <group> preempt'. 3. Configure interface with 'standby version 2' on both routers. 4. Configure virtual IP with 'standby <group> ip <virtual-ip>'. 5. Verify with 'show standby' and test failover.
Why this is correct
This order is incorrect because priority and preempt are configured after the virtual IP; the virtual IP must be set first to establish the HSRP group.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
1. Enable preempt with 'standby <group> preempt'. 2. Set priority on active router with 'standby <group> priority <value>'. 3. Configure virtual IP with 'standby <group> ip <virtual-ip>'. 4. Configure interface with 'standby version 2' on both routers. 5. Verify with 'show standby' and test failover.
Why this is correct
This order is incorrect because preempt and priority cannot be configured before the HSRP group is created with the virtual IP command; also, version should be set first.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 200-301 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which 200-301 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
IP Routing — This question tests IP Routing — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 1. Configure interface with 'standby version 2' on both routers. 2. Configure virtual IP with 'standby <group> ip <virtual-ip>'. 3. Set priority on active router with 'standby <group> priority <value>'. 4. Enable preempt with 'standby <group> preempt'. 5. Verify with 'show standby' and test failover. — The correct order is: first configure HSRP version 2 on both routers to ensure they use the same protocol version. Then configure the virtual IP address; the virtual IP must be set before priority and preempt because priority and preempt reference the HSRP group that already has a virtual IP. Next, set the priority on the desired active router; priority determines which router becomes active when both have equal preempt settings. Finally, enable preempt to allow the higher-priority router to take over if it recovers after a failure. The verify step confirms the active router and failover behavior.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Identify which 200-301 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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 →
Same concept, more angles
3 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. Drag and drop the following steps into the correct order to configure HSRP version 2 on an interface and ensure the router becomes the active router, then verify the HSRP state.
medium- ✓ A.1. Configure HSRP version 2 on the interface 2. Configure the HSRP group and virtual IP address 3. Set the HSRP priority to a higher value 4. Enable HSRP preempt 5. Verify HSRP state using show standby
- ✓ B.1. Configure the HSRP group and virtual IP address 2. Set the HSRP priority to a higher value 3. Enable HSRP preempt 4. Configure HSRP version 2 on the interface 5. Verify HSRP state using show standby
- ✓ C.1. Configure HSRP version 2 on the interface 2. Set the HSRP priority to a higher value 3. Enable HSRP preempt 4. Configure the HSRP group and virtual IP address 5. Verify HSRP state using show standby
- ✓ D.1. Configure HSRP version 2 on the interface 2. Configure the HSRP group and virtual IP address 3. Enable HSRP preempt 4. Set the HSRP priority to a higher value 5. Verify HSRP state using show standby
Why A: HSRP version must be set before group configuration, then the virtual IP is assigned, followed by priority and preempt to control active router election.
Variation 2. Drag and drop the following steps into the correct order to configure and verify HSRP active/standby election, including priority, preempt, virtual IP, and failover verification.
medium- ✓ A.1. Configure interface with IP address and no shutdown 2. Set HSRP priority and preempt 3. Configure HSRP virtual IP 4. Verify HSRP state and failover with 'show standby'
- B.1. Configure HSRP virtual IP 2. Set HSRP priority and preempt 3. Configure interface with IP address and no shutdown 4. Verify HSRP state and failover with 'show standby'
- C.1. Set HSRP priority and preempt 2. Configure HSRP virtual IP 3. Configure interface with IP address and no shutdown 4. Verify HSRP state and failover with 'show standby'
- D.1. Configure HSRP virtual IP 2. Configure interface with IP address and no shutdown 3. Set HSRP priority and preempt 4. Verify HSRP state and failover with 'show standby'
Why A: The order ensures the interface is ready, then priority and preempt are set to influence the election, followed by the virtual IP and verification of failover behavior.
Variation 3. Drag and drop the following steps into the correct order to configure HSRP on a Cisco IOS-XE router, including priority, preempt, virtual IP, and then verify the active/standby election and failover process.
medium- ✓ A.1. Configure the interface with an IP address. 2. Set the HSRP virtual IP address. 3. Configure the HSRP priority. 4. Enable HSRP preempt. 5. Verify HSRP status. 6. Test failover.
- B.1. Configure the interface with an IP address. 2. Set the HSRP virtual IP address. 3. Enable HSRP preempt. 4. Configure the HSRP priority. 5. Verify HSRP status. 6. Test failover.
- C.1. Configure the interface with an IP address. 2. Configure the HSRP priority. 3. Set the HSRP virtual IP address. 4. Enable HSRP preempt. 5. Verify HSRP status. 6. Test failover.
- D.1. Configure the HSRP virtual IP address. 2. Configure the interface with an IP address. 3. Configure the HSRP priority. 4. Enable HSRP preempt. 5. Verify HSRP status. 6. Test failover.
Why A: First, the interface is configured. Then the virtual IP is set, followed by priority and preempt. Verification confirms the election, and failover testing demonstrates the preempt mechanism works.
Last reviewed: Jun 6, 2026
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