Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
What is the main purpose of a floating static route in a network that already uses dynamic routing?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Best answer
It acts as a backup path that becomes active if the preferred dynamic route is lost.
This is correct because floating static routes are designed as standby routes.
B
Distractor review
It always overrides the dynamic route because static routes are preferred by definition.
This is wrong because floating statics are given higher administrative distance so they do not override the preferred route.
C
Distractor review
It removes the need for administrative distance.
This is wrong because floating static behavior depends directly on administrative-distance tuning.
D
Distractor review
It converts dynamic routes into connected routes.
This is wrong because a floating static route does not change the type of other routes.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common exam trap is believing that static routes always override dynamic routes because static routes have a default administrative distance of 1. This misconception leads to selecting options that claim floating static routes always take precedence. In reality, floating static routes are configured with a higher administrative distance than dynamic routes, so they do not override the preferred route. Instead, they remain inactive until the dynamic route disappears, at which point they become the backup path. Misunderstanding this behavior can cause candidates to confuse the purpose of floating static routes and select incorrect answers.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
A floating static route is a static route configured with an administrative distance higher than the dynamic routing protocol's administrative distance. This means it is not installed in the routing table under normal conditions because the dynamic route has a lower administrative distance and is preferred. The floating static route acts as a backup path that only becomes active if the primary dynamic route fails or is removed from the routing table. In Cisco routing, administrative distance is a value used to select the best path when multiple routes to the same destination exist from different routing protocols or sources. By setting a floating static route with a higher administrative distance than the dynamic route, the router ensures the dynamic route is preferred during normal operation. If the dynamic route disappears, the floating static route's higher administrative distance no longer blocks it, allowing it to be installed and used as a failover. A common exam trap is to assume that static routes always override dynamic routes because static routes have a default administrative distance of 1. However, floating static routes deliberately use a higher administrative distance to avoid overriding dynamic routes. This design allows network administrators to maintain dynamic routing benefits while having a simple, manual backup route ready to activate automatically if needed.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- A floating static route uses a higher administrative distance than dynamic routes to remain inactive unless the dynamic route fails.
- Administrative distance determines route preference when multiple routes to the same destination exist in the routing table.
- Dynamic routing protocols like OSPF or EIGRP typically have lower administrative distances than static routes by default.
- Floating static routes provide backup paths without disrupting the primary dynamic routing operation.
- When the preferred dynamic route is lost, the floating static route becomes active and is installed in the routing table.
- Static routes with default administrative distance of 1 always override dynamic routes unless their distance is manually increased.
- Floating static routes do not convert dynamic routes into connected routes; they simply act as standby routes.
- Proper use of floating static routes enhances network resilience by providing simple failover without complex dynamic routing changes.
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.
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More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A router learns the same prefix from both OSPF and EIGRP. Which route is installed by default?
Question 2
A router shows this output: R1#show ip ospf neighbor Neighbor ID Pri State Dead Time Address Interface 10.1.1.2 1 FULL/DR 00:00:34 192.168.12.2 GigabitEthernet0/0 10.1.1.3 1 2WAY/DROTHER 00:00:39 192.168.12.3 GigabitEthernet0/0 Which statement is correct?
Question 3
What is the OSPF metric called?
Question 4
A non-root switch has two uplinks toward the root bridge. One path has a lower total STP cost than the other. What role will the lower-cost uplink have?
Question 5
A router interface applies this ACL inbound: 10 deny tcp any any eq 80 20 permit ip any any A user reports that web browsing to a server by IP address fails, but ping works. Which statement best explains the behavior?
Question 6
A router learns route 198.51.100.0/24 from OSPF with AD 110 and also has a static route to the same prefix configured with AD 150. Which route is installed?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
A floating static route uses a higher administrative distance than dynamic routes to remain inactive unless the dynamic route fails.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: It acts as a backup path that becomes active if the preferred dynamic route is lost. — A floating static route provides a standby backup path without replacing the preferred dynamic route during normal operation. In plain language, it sits in reserve because its administrative distance is set higher than the primary route source. If the dynamic route disappears, the floating static route can take over automatically. This is valuable because it adds simple backup behavior without forcing the administrator to abandon the dynamic design. The correct answer is the one focused on backup failover rather than immediate preference.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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