CCNA IP Routing Practice Question
Exhibit
ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 203.0.113.1
R1 has the following static route configured:
ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 203.0.113.1
What does this route accomplish?
⚠ Common exam trap
Do not confuse default routes with specific network routes or access control lists; focus on the 0.0.0.0/0 prefix.
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
✓
It creates a default route used when no more specific route exists.
This command creates a default static route. In everyday terms, it tells the router, “If you do not know a more specific way to reach a destination, send the traffic to 203.0.113.1.” That next-hop address usually points toward an upstream router or ISP edge. The command does not describe one specific remote network; it represents every destination not otherwise matched by a more specific entry. At the routing-table level, `0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0` is the broadest possible IPv4 prefix. Because it matches everything, it is used only when nothing more specific exists.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
It blocks unknown destinations from leaving the router.
Why it's wrong here
This command does not block or filter any traffic; instead, it provides a forwarding path by sending all unmatched packets to next hop 203.0.113.1. Blocking unknown destinations would require an access control list (ACL) or a static route pointing to the Null0 interface (e.g., ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 Null0) to silently discard them. Since the static route in question has a real next hop, it enables forwarding rather than rejecting traffic.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different question context, if the question asked about a router's access control list (ACL) or firewall rules that specifically deny traffic to unknown destinations, then this option would be correct, as those configurations can block such traffic.
- ✗
It creates a host route to 203.0.113.1 only.
Why it's wrong here
A host route is defined by a /32 mask (255.255.255.255) and points to one exact destination address. The configured route uses a /0 mask (0.0.0.0), so it matches all destinations, not just 203.0.113.1. Furthermore, 203.0.113.1 is the next-hop address toward the default route, not the destination network itself, so this is definitely not a host route.
When this WOULD be correct
If the exam question specified that the static route was configured with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.255 for the IP address 203.0.113.1, then it would create a host route to that specific IP address, making this option correct.
- ✗
It advertises all connected routes into OSPF.
Why it's wrong here
Static routes are not automatically advertised into OSPF unless you explicitly redistribute them, for example with the redistribute static subnets command under the OSPF process. The given command only installs a default route in the routing table; it has no effect on OSPF protocol operation. Connected routes on interfaces are advertised only if those interfaces are included in OSPF network statements, which is a separate configuration step unrelated to this static route.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question were about a router configuration that includes both static routes and OSPF, and it asked how static routes can be redistributed into OSPF, then this option could be correct. In that context, a static route could be configured to be advertised into OSPF through redistribution commands.
- ✓
It creates a default route used when no more specific route exists.
Why this is correct
This static route has a destination of 0.0.0.0 and a mask of 0.0.0.0, which is the IPv4 default route. It matches any IP packet whose destination does not have a more specific (longer-prefix) match in the routing table, so it acts as the gateway of last resort. Next hop 203.0.113.1 is where all unmatched traffic is forwarded.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The 200-301 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓It creates a default route used when no more specific route exists.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
This static route has a destination of 0.0.0.0 and a mask of 0.0.0.0, which is the IPv4 default route. It matches any IP packet whose destination does not have a more specific (longer-prefix) match in the routing table, so it acts as the gateway of last resort. Next hop 203.0.113.1 is where all unmatched traffic is forwarded.
✗It blocks unknown destinations from leaving the router.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This option is incorrect because static routes do not inherently block traffic; they simply define paths for routing packets. A static route allows traffic to specific destinations, rather than blocking unknown ones.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different question context, if the question asked about a router's access control list (ACL) or firewall rules that specifically deny traffic to unknown destinations, then this option would be correct, as those configurations can block such traffic.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might choose this option due to a misunderstanding of static routes and their role in routing; they may confuse routing with access control mechanisms that manage traffic flow based on destination addresses.
✗It creates a host route to 203.0.113.1 only.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This option is wrong because the static route configured does not limit routing to a single host; instead, it typically defines a broader range or a default route for multiple destinations.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the exam question specified that the static route was configured with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.255 for the IP address 203.0.113.1, then it would create a host route to that specific IP address, making this option correct.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may be tempted by this option because they might confuse the concept of a static route with host routes, leading them to believe that a specific IP address configuration implies a host route.
✗It advertises all connected routes into OSPF.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This option is wrong because static routes do not inherently advertise routes into OSPF; they simply define a path to a specific destination. The question specifically asks about the function of a static route, which does not involve OSPF route advertisement.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question were about a router configuration that includes both static routes and OSPF, and it asked how static routes can be redistributed into OSPF, then this option could be correct. In that context, a static route could be configured to be advertised into OSPF through redistribution commands.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may find this option tempting because they might confuse static routes with dynamic routing protocols like OSPF, leading them to mistakenly believe that static routes can automatically participate in OSPF route advertisements.
Analysis generated from the official 200-301blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Visual reference
Quick reference
Routing Protocol Comparison
| 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
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Key term
Router
A router is a networking device that connects different networks together and directs data traffic between them by choosing the best path for data to travel.
Key term
Route
A route is a path that data takes through a network from one device or network to another, determined by routing protocols and configured rules.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 200-301 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-301 exam.