- A
Route: A path that network traffic takes from source to destination
An AS is a collection of networks under a single administrative domain, using a common routing policy. This is correct because it defines the boundary for Interior Gateway Protocols (IGPs) and Exterior Gateway Protocols (EGPs).
- B
Next Hop: The next router or device that packets are forwarded to along a route
This is incorrect because an IGP operates within a single AS, not between ASes. The term for routing between ASes is Exterior Gateway Protocol (EGP).
- C
Routing Table: A set of rules used to determine where packets are directed
This is incorrect because an EGP operates between different ASes, not within a single AS. The term for routing within an AS is IGP.
- D
Static Route: A manually configured route that does not change automatically
This is incorrect because prefix length defines the subnet mask (e.g., /24), not a routing domain or protocol. It is used in CIDR to specify the network portion of an IP address.
Quick Answer
The correct match for Static Route is a manually configured route that does not change automatically, but to fully understand routing decisions you must grasp how Administrative Distance, metric, and longest prefix match work together. Administrative distance (AD) measures the trustworthiness of the route source—a lower AD is preferred when the same prefix is learned from multiple protocols, such as OSPF versus EIGRP. Metric, on the other hand, is a protocol-specific value like OSPF cost or EIGRP composite metric, used to select the best path among routes from the same source. The longest prefix match rule is the fundamental lookup logic: the route with the longest subnet mask (most specific) is always used, overriding both AD and metric. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this concept often appears in scenario-based questions where a router has overlapping routes, testing your ability to prioritize specificity over trust or cost. A common trap is forgetting that a default route (0.0.0.0/0) is the least specific and only used as a last resort. Memory tip: think “most specific wins first, then lowest AD, then lowest metric.”
CCNA IP Routing Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of ip routing. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. A key principle to apply: administrative distance determines the trustworthiness of a routing source by assigning a numeric value, with lower values preferred when multiple routing protocols provide routes to the same destination.. 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 routing term to its most accurate meaning.
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
Route: A path that network traffic takes from source to destination
Administrative distance is a measure of trustworthiness of the route source; a lower AD is preferred when the same prefix is learned from multiple routing protocols. Metric is a protocol-specific value (e.g., OSPF cost, EIGRP composite) used to choose the best path among routes from the same source. Longest-prefix match is the fundamental routing table lookup rule: the route with the longest subnet mask (most specific) is used regardless of AD or metric. Default route (0.0.0.0/0) acts as a gateway of last resort, forwarding packets when no more specific route exists.
Key principle: Administrative distance determines the trustworthiness of a routing source by assigning a numeric value, with lower values preferred when multiple routing protocols provide routes to the same destination.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Route: A path that network traffic takes from source to destination
Why this is correct
An AS is a collection of networks under a single administrative domain, using a common routing policy. This is correct because it defines the boundary for Interior Gateway Protocols (IGPs) and Exterior Gateway Protocols (EGPs).
Related concept
Administrative distance determines the trustworthiness of a routing source by assigning a numeric value, with lower values preferred when multiple routing protocols provide routes to the same destination.
- ✓
Next Hop: The next router or device that packets are forwarded to along a route
Why this is correct
This is incorrect because an IGP operates within a single AS, not between ASes. The term for routing between ASes is Exterior Gateway Protocol (EGP).
Related concept
Administrative distance determines the trustworthiness of a routing source by assigning a numeric value, with lower values preferred when multiple routing protocols provide routes to the same destination.
- ✓
Routing Table: A set of rules used to determine where packets are directed
Why this is correct
This is incorrect because an EGP operates between different ASes, not within a single AS. The term for routing within an AS is IGP.
Related concept
Administrative distance determines the trustworthiness of a routing source by assigning a numeric value, with lower values preferred when multiple routing protocols provide routes to the same destination.
- ✓
Static Route: A manually configured route that does not change automatically
Why this is correct
This is incorrect because prefix length defines the subnet mask (e.g., /24), not a routing domain or protocol. It is used in CIDR to specify the network portion of an IP address.
Related concept
Administrative distance determines the trustworthiness of a routing source by assigning a numeric value, with lower values preferred when multiple routing protocols provide routes to the same destination.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common pitfall is believing that a lower metric route always wins over a higher administrative distance route. In reality, AD determines which route makes it into the routing table, then metric selects within that source; longest-prefix match overrides both.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Routing decisions in Cisco routers rely on multiple concepts to determine the best path for forwarding packets. Administrative distance (AD) is a value assigned to each routing protocol or source to indicate its trustworthiness; lower AD values are preferred. For example, directly connected routes have an AD of 0, static routes 1, EIGRP 90, OSPF 110, and RIP 120. When multiple routing protocols provide routes to the same destination, the router selects the route with the lowest AD. Within a single routing protocol, the router uses metrics to compare multiple candidate routes. Metrics are protocol-specific values that quantify path cost, such as bandwidth, delay, hop count, or composite calculations. The router chooses the route with the lowest metric as the best path. Once the best route is selected, the router uses the longest-prefix match rule to forward packets. This rule means the router looks for the route with the most specific subnet mask matching the destination IP address. For example, a route to 192.168.1.0/24 is more specific than 192.168.0.0/16, so packets destined for 192.168.1.x will use the /24 route. If no specific route matches, the router uses a default route (0.0.0.0/0) if configured, which acts as a fallback path for all unmatched destinations. This mechanism ensures efficient and predictable routing behavior. A common exam trap is confusing administrative distance with metric or misunderstanding the role of longest-prefix match. Administrative distance compares trustworthiness between different routing sources, not path cost. Metrics compare paths within the same routing protocol. Longest-prefix match is about route specificity, not trust or cost. Misapplying these concepts can lead to incorrect answers about route selection. In practical networks, understanding these distinctions helps troubleshoot routing issues and optimize path selection, especially in multi-protocol environments or when default routes are involved.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Administrative distance determines the trustworthiness of a routing source by assigning a numeric value, with lower values preferred when multiple routing protocols provide routes to the same destination.
- Routing metrics quantify the cost of a path within a routing protocol, allowing the router to select the best route among multiple candidates from the same protocol.
- Longest-prefix match selects the most specific route in the routing table by choosing the route with the most bits matching the destination IP address.
- A default route acts as a catch-all path used when no other more specific route exists in the routing table for a given destination.
- Routers use administrative distance first to choose between routes from different routing protocols before considering metrics within a single protocol.
- Metrics vary by routing protocol; for example, OSPF uses cost based on bandwidth, while EIGRP uses a composite metric including bandwidth and delay.
- Longest-prefix match is fundamental to IP routing and ensures packets are forwarded using the most precise route available, improving routing efficiency.
- Default routes simplify routing tables by providing a fallback path, especially useful in stub networks or when routing to unknown 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.
Key takeaway
Administrative distance determines the trustworthiness of a routing source by assigning a numeric value, with lower values preferred when multiple routing protocols provide routes to the same destination.
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 — Administrative distance determines the trustworthiness of a routing source by assigning a numeric value, with lower values preferred when multiple routing protocols provide routes to the same destination..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Route: A path that network traffic takes from source to destination — Administrative distance is a measure of trustworthiness of the route source; a lower AD is preferred when the same prefix is learned from multiple routing protocols. Metric is a protocol-specific value (e.g., OSPF cost, EIGRP composite) used to choose the best path among routes from the same source. Longest-prefix match is the fundamental routing table lookup rule: the route with the longest subnet mask (most specific) is used regardless of AD or metric. Default route (0.0.0.0/0) acts as a gateway of last resort, forwarding packets when no more specific route exists.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review administrative distance determines the trustworthiness of a routing source by assigning a numeric value, with lower values preferred when multiple routing protocols provide routes to the same destination., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Administrative distance determines the trustworthiness of a routing source by assigning a numeric value, with lower values preferred when multiple routing protocols provide routes to the same destination.
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Last reviewed: Apr 12, 2026
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