- A
Connected route: A route automatically added when an interface is configured with an IP address and is up.
Connected routes are automatically added to the routing table when an interface is configured with an IP address and is in the up/up state. They have an administrative distance of 0.
- B
Static route: A manually configured route that specifies a fixed path to a destination network.
This is incorrect because connected routes are automatically generated, not manually configured. Manual configuration describes static routes.
- C
OSPF: A link-state routing protocol that uses cost as its metric and maintains a full topology database.
This is incorrect because connected routes are not learned via dynamic routing protocols; they are directly connected to the router. Dynamic protocols learn routes from other routers.
- D
EIGRP: A hybrid routing protocol that uses bandwidth and delay as metrics and supports unequal-cost load balancing.
This is incorrect because the default gateway is typically a static default route or learned via DHCP, not a connected route. Connected routes only provide paths to directly attached networks.
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. A key principle to apply: a connected route is automatically installed in the routing table when an interface is configured with an IP address and is operationally up, indicating a directly attached network.. 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.
Match each route source or route type to its most accurate description.
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
Connected route: A route automatically added when an interface is configured with an IP address and is up.
Connected routes are automatically added when an interface is active and has an IP address configured; static routes are manually entered by an administrator; OSPF routes are dynamically learned through the OSPF link-state routing protocol; floating static routes are static routes configured with a higher administrative distance than the primary route, serving as a backup.
Key principle: A connected route is automatically installed in the routing table when an interface is configured with an IP address and is operationally up, indicating a directly attached network.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Connected route: A route automatically added when an interface is configured with an IP address and is up.
Why this is correct
Connected routes are automatically added to the routing table when an interface is configured with an IP address and is in the up/up state. They have an administrative distance of 0.
Related concept
A connected route is automatically installed in the routing table when an interface is configured with an IP address and is operationally up, indicating a directly attached network.
- ✓
Static route: A manually configured route that specifies a fixed path to a destination network.
Why this is correct
This is incorrect because connected routes are automatically generated, not manually configured. Manual configuration describes static routes.
Related concept
A connected route is automatically installed in the routing table when an interface is configured with an IP address and is operationally up, indicating a directly attached network.
- ✓
OSPF: A link-state routing protocol that uses cost as its metric and maintains a full topology database.
Why this is correct
This is incorrect because connected routes are not learned via dynamic routing protocols; they are directly connected to the router. Dynamic protocols learn routes from other routers.
Related concept
A connected route is automatically installed in the routing table when an interface is configured with an IP address and is operationally up, indicating a directly attached network.
- ✓
EIGRP: A hybrid routing protocol that uses bandwidth and delay as metrics and supports unequal-cost load balancing.
Why this is correct
This is incorrect because the default gateway is typically a static default route or learned via DHCP, not a connected route. Connected routes only provide paths to directly attached networks.
Related concept
A connected route is automatically installed in the routing table when an interface is configured with an IP address and is operationally up, indicating a directly attached network.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The exam often tests the automatic nature of connected routes. Do not confuse them with static or dynamic routes. Remember that connected routes appear only when the interface is up/up.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Routing in Cisco networks relies on different route sources, each with unique characteristics that influence how routes are learned and prioritized. Connected routes represent networks directly attached to a router's interfaces and are automatically added to the routing table with the lowest administrative distance (AD) of 0, making them the most trusted. Static routes are manually configured paths that administrators use to define explicit routes for traffic, typically assigned an AD of 1. Dynamic routing protocols like OSPF learn routes automatically by exchanging link-state information, calculating the best path based on metrics such as cost, and assigning an AD of 110. The decision process for route selection in Cisco routers depends primarily on administrative distance, which ranks route sources by trustworthiness. Connected routes are preferred first, followed by static routes, then dynamic protocols like OSPF. Floating static routes are static routes configured with an artificially higher AD than dynamic routes, ensuring they act as backup routes that only become active if the primary dynamic route fails. This mechanism provides network redundancy without interfering with normal routing operations. A common exam trap is confusing floating static routes with regular static routes or misunderstanding the role of administrative distance. Candidates may incorrectly assume static routes always override dynamic routes or that floating static routes are active simultaneously with primary routes. In practice, floating static routes remain inactive until the preferred route is lost, preventing routing loops and ensuring seamless failover. Understanding these behaviors is critical for interpreting routing tables and designing resilient networks in Cisco environments.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- A connected route is automatically installed in the routing table when an interface is configured with an IP address and is operationally up, indicating a directly attached network.
- A static route is manually configured by a network administrator to specify a fixed path for traffic to reach a particular network, overriding dynamic routing protocols if necessary.
- OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) dynamically learns routes by exchanging link-state advertisements with other OSPF routers, building a topology map to calculate the shortest path.
- A floating static route is a static route configured with a higher administrative distance than dynamic routes, serving as a backup path that activates only if the primary route fails.
- Administrative distance determines the trustworthiness of a route source, with lower values preferred; connected routes have the lowest AD, followed by static, then dynamic protocols like OSPF.
- Routing tables prioritize routes based on administrative distance and metric; understanding route source types helps in troubleshooting and predicting routing behavior.
- Static routes require manual updates if network topology changes, whereas OSPF automatically adapts to topology changes by recalculating routes.
- Floating static routes provide redundancy by remaining inactive under normal conditions and only taking effect when dynamic routes become unavailable.
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.
Key takeaway
A connected route is automatically installed in the routing table when an interface is configured with an IP address and is operationally up, indicating a directly attached network.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A network engineer at a university connects two campus buildings via a fibre link. Both routers run OSPF, but no adjacency forms — even though both routers can ping each other. The engineer finds one router is in area 0 and the other in area 1. OSPF adjacency requires matching area numbers, hello/dead timers, and network type. IP reachability alone is not enough.
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
IP Routing — This question tests IP Routing — A connected route is automatically installed in the routing table when an interface is configured with an IP address and is operationally up, indicating a directly attached network..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Connected route: A route automatically added when an interface is configured with an IP address and is up. — Connected routes are automatically added when an interface is active and has an IP address configured; static routes are manually entered by an administrator; OSPF routes are dynamically learned through the OSPF link-state routing protocol; floating static routes are static routes configured with a higher administrative distance than the primary route, serving as a backup.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review a connected route is automatically installed in the routing table when an interface is configured with an IP address and is operationally up, indicating a directly attached network., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
A connected route is automatically installed in the routing table when an interface is configured with an IP address and is operationally up, indicating a directly attached network.
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Last reviewed: May 17, 2026
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