- A
A floating static route is configured with a lower administrative distance than the primary route.
Why wrong: A floating static route must have a higher administrative distance than the primary route so it is only used as a backup.
- B
An IPv6 default static route can be configured using the destination prefix ::/0.
The IPv6 default route is ::/0, similar to 0.0.0.0/0 for IPv4.
- C
A static route with an administrative distance of 1 is preferred over a directly connected route.
Why wrong: Directly connected routes have an administrative distance of 0, which is lower (more preferred) than 1.
- D
A floating static route becomes active in the routing table only when the primary route is removed or fails.
Due to its higher administrative distance, the floating static route is not installed until the primary route (with lower AD) disappears.
- E
IPv4 and IPv6 static routes are configured using the same command syntax.
Why wrong: IPv4 static routes use 'ip route' while IPv6 static routes use 'ipv6 route'. They are different commands.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is that a floating static route becomes active in the routing table only when the primary route is removed or fails. This works because a floating static route is configured with a higher administrative distance than the primary route, so it remains inactive until the lower-AD route disappears, at which point the floating route is installed. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this concept tests your understanding of route selection and administrative distance, often appearing alongside questions about default routes—for example, the IPv6 default static route uses the destination prefix ::/0, matching all IPv6 addresses just as 0.0.0.0/0 does in IPv4. A common trap is confusing the AD value: remember that floating static routes use a *higher* AD, not lower, to serve as a backup. For a quick memory tip, think of a floating static route as a "life raft" that only deploys when the main ship sinks—higher AD means it waits its turn.
CCNA IP Routing Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of ip routing. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. 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.
Which TWO statements about IPv4/IPv6 static routing are true?
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
An IPv6 default static route can be configured using the destination prefix ::/0.
Option B is correct because the IPv6 default static route uses the destination prefix ::/0, which matches all IPv6 addresses, similar to 0.0.0.0/0 in IPv4. Option D is correct because a floating static route is configured with a higher administrative distance and only becomes active when the primary route (with a lower AD) is removed or fails. Option A is wrong: a floating static route is configured with a higher administrative distance, not lower. Option C is wrong: a directly connected route has an administrative distance of 0, which is always preferred over a static route (even with AD 1). Option E is wrong: IPv4 static routes use the 'ip route' command, while IPv6 static routes use the 'ipv6 route' command; the syntax is different.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
A floating static route is configured with a lower administrative distance than the primary route.
Why it's wrong here
A floating static route must have a higher administrative distance than the primary route so it is only used as a backup.
- ✓
An IPv6 default static route can be configured using the destination prefix ::/0.
Why this is correct
The IPv6 default route is ::/0, similar to 0.0.0.0/0 for IPv4.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
A static route with an administrative distance of 1 is preferred over a directly connected route.
Why it's wrong here
Directly connected routes have an administrative distance of 0, which is lower (more preferred) than 1.
- ✓
A floating static route becomes active in the routing table only when the primary route is removed or fails.
Why this is correct
Due to its higher administrative distance, the floating static route is not installed until the primary route (with lower AD) disappears.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
IPv4 and IPv6 static routes are configured using the same command syntax.
Why it's wrong here
IPv4 static routes use 'ip route' while IPv6 static routes use 'ipv6 route'. They are different commands.
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.
✓An IPv6 default static route can be configured using the destination prefix ::/0.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
The IPv6 default route is ::/0, similar to 0.0.0.0/0 for IPv4.
✗A floating static route is configured with a lower administrative distance than the primary route.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The administrative distance must be higher (less preferred) for the floating static route to serve as a backup.
✗A static route with an administrative distance of 1 is preferred over a directly connected route.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Directly connected routes are always preferred over any static route because their AD is 0.
✗IPv4 and IPv6 static routes are configured using the same command syntax.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The commands are different; 'ip route' for IPv4 and 'ipv6 route' for IPv6.
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?”
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the inverse relationship between administrative distance and route preference, trapping candidates who think a lower AD makes a route less preferred rather than more preferred.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
IPv4 static routes use 'ip route' while IPv6 static routes use 'ipv6 route'. They are different commands.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Administrative distance (AD) is a Cisco-proprietary trustworthiness metric ranging from 0 to 255, where 0 is the most trusted (directly connected) and 255 means unreachable. A static route defaults to AD 1, but a floating static route uses a higher AD (e.g., 5 or 10) to serve as a backup. The IPv6 default route ::/0 is configured via 'ipv6 route ::/0 {next-hop | exit-interface}', and it is only used if no more specific route matches.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
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
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
IP Routing — This question tests IP Routing — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: An IPv6 default static route can be configured using the destination prefix ::/0. — Option B is correct because the IPv6 default static route uses the destination prefix ::/0, which matches all IPv6 addresses, similar to 0.0.0.0/0 in IPv4. Option D is correct because a floating static route is configured with a higher administrative distance and only becomes active when the primary route (with a lower AD) is removed or fails. Option A is wrong: a floating static route is configured with a higher administrative distance, not lower. Option C is wrong: a directly connected route has an administrative distance of 0, which is always preferred over a static route (even with AD 1). Option E is wrong: IPv4 static routes use the 'ip route' command, while IPv6 static routes use the 'ipv6 route' command; the syntax is different.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
6 more ways this is tested on 200-301
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Exhibit: R1 has a default route pointing to 10.1.1.2. Users lose internet access when that next hop fails, even though a floating static backup exists. Why is the backup not installed?
hard- A.The backup route has a higher administrative distance and therefore is never considered
- ✓ B.The primary static route remains installed because there is no tracking to remove it
- C.Floating statics work only with dynamic routing protocols
- D.The backup route must use the same next hop as the primary route
Why B: A floating static route is used only when the primary route disappears from the routing table. If the primary interface stays up and the next hop becomes unreachable beyond that segment, the route can remain installed unless tracking or another detection mechanism removes it.
Variation 2. Match each route source or concept to its most accurate description.
medium- ✓ A.Directly connected route: A route that is automatically added to the routing table when an interface is configured with an IP address and is up/up.
- B.Static route: A route that is learned via a dynamic routing protocol such as OSPF or EIGRP.
- C.Default route: A route that is used when no other specific route matches the destination IP address, typically pointing to a next-hop router.
- D.Floating static route: A static route that is used as a backup and has a higher administrative distance than the primary route.
Why A: These are fundamental routing concepts and sources. Each pairing matches the route source with its accurate description as taught in Cisco certification exams.
Variation 3. Match each routing concept to its most accurate description.
medium- ✓ A.Static routing: A network path manually configured by a network administrator.
- ✓ B.Dynamic routing: A network path automatically determined by routing protocols based on current topology.
- ✓ C.Default route: A catch-all route used when no specific route matches the destination.
- ✓ D.Policy-based routing: A routing method that forwards packets based on criteria other than destination IP.
Why A: Administrative distance is used by a router to select the best path when multiple routing protocols provide route information for the same destination; a lower AD is preferred. Metric is a value used by a specific routing protocol (e.g., OSPF cost, EIGRP composite metric) to compare routes within that protocol; a lower metric is preferred. A default route (0.0.0.0/0) is the entry used when no other more specific route matches the destination. A floating static route is a static route configured with a higher administrative distance than the primary route, so it becomes active only when the primary route fails.
Variation 4. Match each route-selection concept to its most accurate meaning.
medium- ✓ A.Administrative distance: A measure of the trustworthiness of a routing protocol.
- ✓ B.Metric: A value used by a routing protocol to determine the best path.
- ✓ C.Prefix length: The number of bits in the subnet mask that defines the network portion.
- ✓ D.Longest prefix match: The routing decision that selects the most specific route.
Why A: Administrative distance indicates the trustworthiness of a routing protocol or static route, with lower values preferred. Metric is a protocol-specific cost used to compare routes from the same source. The longest-prefix match selects the route with the most specific (longest) subnet mask. A floating static route serves as a backup by using a higher administrative distance than the primary route.
Variation 5. Match each routing concept to its most accurate meaning.
medium- ✓ A.Administrative Distance is a measure of the trustworthiness of a routing information source, such as a routing protocol or a static route.
- B.Administrative Distance is the metric used by a routing protocol to determine the best path within that protocol.
- C.Administrative Distance is the time it takes for a routing protocol to converge after a network change.
- D.Administrative Distance is the number of hops a packet takes to reach its destination.
Why A: Administrative Distance measures route source trustworthiness; Metric determines best path within a protocol; Convergence is the time to reach consistent routing; Route Summarization reduces routing table size; Floating Static Route acts as a backup; ECMP enables load balancing.
Variation 6. Match each routing term to its most accurate description.
medium- ✓ A.Administrative distance: A measure of the trustworthiness of a routing information source, used to select the best path when multiple routing protocols provide route information.
- B.Administrative distance: The metric used by a routing protocol to determine the best path within that protocol, such as hop count or bandwidth.
- C.Administrative distance: The number of routers a packet must traverse to reach its destination, used to compare routes from the same routing protocol.
- D.Administrative distance: The time it takes for a route to be considered invalid if no updates are received, used to age out stale routes.
Why A: Administrative distance (AD) is a trust value assigned to a route source (e.g., OSPF = 110, EIGRP = 90); it is not a metric or a default route. Metric is a protocol-specific value (e.g., hop count, bandwidth) used to compare paths within the same routing protocol; it is not a trust value. Default route is the fallback used when no more specific match exists in the routing table, not a summarization method. Summarization combines multiple routes into a broader advertisement to reduce routing table size, not a fallback mechanism. These definitions align correctly, while common confusions (e.g., swapping AD and metric) would misassign the terms.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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