Question 1easymultiple choice
Full question →easymultiple choiceObjective-mapped
Which Cisco IOS command configures a default static route pointing to next hop 203.0.113.1?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Best answer
ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 203.0.113.1
Correct. This is the standard Cisco IOS syntax.
B
Distractor review
ip default-gateway 203.0.113.1
ip default-gateway is not the same thing on a router with routing enabled.
C
Distractor review
default-information originate 203.0.113.1
That command is used within routing protocols, not to create the static route itself.
D
Distractor review
route add 0.0.0.0 203.0.113.1
That is not Cisco IOS syntax.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A frequent exam trap is selecting 'ip default-gateway 203.0.113.1' as the command to configure a default route. This command only sets the default gateway for a router acting as a host or a Layer 2 switch without routing enabled, and it does not create a routing table entry. Another trap is confusing routing protocol commands like 'default-information originate' with static route configuration; the former is used to advertise default routes within protocols like OSPF, not to set static routes. Also, syntax from other operating systems, such as 'route add', is invalid in Cisco IOS. These traps can lead to incorrect configurations and exam mistakes.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
A default static route in Cisco IOS is a routing entry that directs packets destined for any network not explicitly listed in the routing table to a specified next-hop IP address or exit interface. This route uses the destination network 0.0.0.0 with a subnet mask of 0.0.0.0, which matches all possible IP addresses. It is essential in routing because it provides a gateway of last resort, allowing routers to forward traffic when no specific route exists for a destination. The command syntax for configuring a default static route in Cisco IOS is 'ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 [next-hop IP address]'. This tells the router to send all unknown traffic to the specified next-hop IP, in this case, 203.0.113.1. This static route has an administrative distance of 1, making it preferred over dynamic routes with higher distances unless a more specific route exists. The router uses this route only when no other matching route is found in the routing table. A common exam trap is confusing the 'ip default-gateway' command with the default static route. 'ip default-gateway' is used on Layer 2 devices or routers without routing enabled and does not create a route in the routing table. Additionally, commands like 'default-information originate' are related to routing protocol advertisements, not static route configuration. Understanding these distinctions is critical for correct Cisco IOS routing configuration and exam success.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- A default static route uses the destination network 0.0.0.0 with subnet mask 0.0.0.0 to match all unknown IP destinations.
- The 'ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 [next-hop]' command installs a default route in the Cisco IOS routing table directing traffic to the specified next-hop IP.
- Routers use default static routes as gateways of last resort when no more specific route exists in the routing table.
- The 'ip default-gateway' command configures a default gateway only on devices without routing enabled, such as Layer 2 switches.
- Routing protocol commands like 'default-information originate' advertise default routes within protocols but do not configure static routes.
- Cisco IOS commands must follow exact syntax; commands like 'route add' are invalid and not recognized by Cisco routers.
- Static routes have an administrative distance of 1, making them preferred over dynamic routes with higher distances unless overridden.
- Understanding the difference between static route configuration and routing protocol advertisement is critical for correct routing setup.
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.
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More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A router learns the same prefix from both OSPF and EIGRP. Which route is installed by default?
Question 2
A router shows this output: R1#show ip ospf neighbor Neighbor ID Pri State Dead Time Address Interface 10.1.1.2 1 FULL/DR 00:00:34 192.168.12.2 GigabitEthernet0/0 10.1.1.3 1 2WAY/DROTHER 00:00:39 192.168.12.3 GigabitEthernet0/0 Which statement is correct?
Question 3
What is the OSPF metric called?
Question 4
A non-root switch has two uplinks toward the root bridge. One path has a lower total STP cost than the other. What role will the lower-cost uplink have?
Question 5
A router interface applies this ACL inbound: 10 deny tcp any any eq 80 20 permit ip any any A user reports that web browsing to a server by IP address fails, but ping works. Which statement best explains the behavior?
Question 6
A router learns route 198.51.100.0/24 from OSPF with AD 110 and also has a static route to the same prefix configured with AD 150. Which route is installed?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
A default static route uses the destination network 0.0.0.0 with subnet mask 0.0.0.0 to match all unknown IP destinations.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 203.0.113.1 — A default static route uses the all-zero network and mask, followed by the next-hop IP address or exit interface.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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