Match each route source or route type to its most accurate description.
Drag a concept onto its matching description — or click a concept then click the description.
Present because the network is directly attached
Manually configured route
Learned dynamically through the routing protocol
Backup static route with higher administrative distance
⚠ Common exam trap
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.
Answer choices
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 installed when an interface is configured with an IP address and is in the up/up state. Static routes are manually configured by an administrator to specify a fixed path. OSPF is a link-state routing protocol that uses cost as its metric and maintains a complete topology database. EIGRP is a hybrid protocol that uses bandwidth and delay as metrics and supports unequal-cost load balancing.
Answer analysis
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
A connected route is automatically inserted into the routing table when an interface has a valid IPv4 address and is in the up/up state. It identifies the network directly attached to that interface, is shown with the 'C' code, and holds an administrative distance of 0, making it the most preferred route source. Since the route is tied to the interface's operational state, it disappears automatically if the interface goes down, and no next-hop address is needed because the router owns that subnet.
Static route: A manually configured route that specifies a fixed path to a destination network.
Why this is correct
A static route is manually defined by an administrator using the 'ip route' command, specifying the destination prefix and either a next-hop IP address or an exit interface. It does not change on its own, requiring manual intervention to reflect topology changes, and its default administrative distance is 1, second only to connected routes. Static routes are often used for small networks, stub networks, or to create a default route, and they can also be used to provide a backup path in conjunction with floating static routes.
OSPF: A link-state routing protocol that uses cost as its metric and maintains a full topology database.
Why this is correct
OSPF is a link-state routing protocol that exchanges Link-State Advertisements (LSAs) to build a complete view of the network's topology in the link-state database. Using the Shortest Path First (SPF) algorithm, also known as Dijkstra's algorithm, it calculates the shortest path to each destination based on the cumulative interface cost, where cost is inversely proportional to bandwidth (reference bandwidth divided by interface bandwidth). This design enables fast convergence, supports CIDR and VLSM, and is widely used as an enterprise IGP. OSPF's administrative distance is 110.
EIGRP: A hybrid routing protocol that uses bandwidth and delay as metrics and supports unequal-cost load balancing.
Why this is correct
EIGRP is classified as a hybrid routing protocol, combining distance-vector and link-state features, and uses the Diffusing Update Algorithm (DUAL) to compute loop-free paths. By default, it computes its metric from the slowest bandwidth (scaled) and the sum of delays along the path, with load, reliability, and MTU as optional K-values. Uniquely, EIGRP supports unequal-cost load balancing through the 'variance' command, allowing traffic to be distributed across multiple paths with different metrics. Its internal administrative distance is 90, making it preferred over OSPF and static routes by default.
Visual reference
Quick reference
| Protocol | Metric | Max Hops | Algorithm | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIP v2 | Hop count | 15 | Bellman-Ford | Distance vector |
| OSPF | Cost (bandwidth) | Unlimited | Dijkstra (SPF) | Link state |
| EIGRP | Composite metric | Unlimited | DUAL | Hybrid |
| IS-IS | Cost | Unlimited | Dijkstra | Link state |
| BGP | Policy / attributes | Unlimited | Path vector | Path vector |
RIP's 15-hop limit makes it unsuitable for large networks. OSPF and EIGRP dominate modern enterprise deployments.
Go deeper
Learn chapter
Interpreting HSRP and VRRP Operational Status
Key term
EIGRP
EIGRP is an advanced distance-vector routing protocol that uses bandwidth and delay by default to find the best path for data packets across a computer network.
Key term
OSPF
OSPF is a link-state routing protocol used to find the best path for data packets to travel across IP networks, like a smart GPS that recalculates routes when traffic changes.
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