Match each IPv4 route type to its most accurate source or description.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A frequent exam trap is mistaking static routes for default routes or assuming dynamic routes always take precedence over static routes. Candidates often overlook that connected routes have the highest priority with an administrative distance of 0, static routes come next with a distance of 1, and dynamic routes have higher distances. This misunderstanding can lead to incorrect answers about route selection and troubleshooting. Another trap is confusing the purpose of a default route, which is a catch-all route used only when no specific route matches, rather than a manually configured static route to a known network.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
IPv4 routing tables contain entries from various sources, each representing a different route type. Connected routes are directly linked to router interfaces with assigned IP addresses and are immediately installed in the routing table when the interface is up. Static routes are manually configured by network administrators to define explicit paths for traffic, often used for simple or stub networks. Dynamic routes are learned through routing protocols like OSPF or EIGRP, which dynamically exchange routing information to adapt to network topology changes. Default routes act as a fallback path when no specific route matches a destination, directing traffic to a designated next-hop or exit interface. Cisco routers use administrative distance to prioritize routes from different sources. Connected routes have the lowest administrative distance of 0, making them the most trusted. Static routes have an administrative distance of 1, preferred over dynamic routes but less than connected routes. Dynamic routes have higher administrative distances depending on the protocol (e.g., OSPF is 110, EIGRP is 90). When multiple routes to the same destination exist, the router selects the route with the lowest administrative distance. Default routes simplify routing by providing a catch-all route, reducing the need for exhaustive routing entries. A common exam trap is confusing static routes with default routes or assuming dynamic routes always override static routes. In practice, static routes have a lower administrative distance than dynamic routes, so they are preferred unless configured otherwise. Another pitfall is misunderstanding connected routes as static; connected routes are automatically installed and have the highest priority. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for troubleshooting routing issues and interpreting routing tables accurately in Cisco environments.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- A connected IPv4 route is automatically installed in the routing table when an interface is configured with an IP address and is operationally up.
- A static IPv4 route is manually configured by a network administrator to define a specific path for traffic to reach a destination network.
- A dynamic IPv4 route is learned and maintained by routing protocols such as OSPF, EIGRP, or RIP, which exchange routing information between routers.
- A default IPv4 route is used by a router when no specific match exists in the routing table for a destination IP address, typically pointing to a next-hop or exit interface.
- Routing protocols assign administrative distance and metrics to routes, which influence route selection when multiple routes to the same destination exist.
- Connected routes have the lowest administrative distance (0) and are preferred over static and dynamic routes in Cisco routers.
- Static routes have a default administrative distance of 1, making them preferred over dynamic routes but less preferred than connected routes.
- Default routes simplify routing tables by providing a catch-all path, preventing the need for exhaustive route entries for all possible destinations.
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 connected IPv4 route is automatically installed in the routing table when an interface is configured with an IP address and is operationally up.
What exam trap should I watch out for?
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword: A frequent exam trap is mistaking static routes for default routes or assuming dynamic routes always take precedence over static routes. Candidates often overlook that connected routes have the highest priority with an administrative distance of 0, static routes come next with a distance of 1, and dynamic routes have higher distances. This misunderstanding can lead to incorrect answers about route selection and troubleshooting. Another trap is confusing the purpose of a default route, which is a catch-all route used only when no specific route matches, rather than a manually configured static route to a known network.
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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