This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of ip routing. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. A key principle to apply: floating static routes are static routes configured with a higher administrative distance to act as backup routes in the routing table.. 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 accurately describe floating static routes?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
They are static routes configured with higher administrative distance so they act as backups.
The two correct statements describe floating static routes as backup routes with higher administrative distance that activate when the preferred route is lost. Option C is wrong because floating static routes have a higher administrative distance, so they do not override dynamic routes immediately; they only activate if the dynamic route is lost. Option D is wrong because floating static routes are for backup, not equal-cost load balancing. Option E is wrong because floating static routes are entries in the routing table that provide backup, not a replacement for it.
Key principle: Floating static routes are static routes configured with a higher administrative distance to act as backup routes in the routing table.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
They are static routes configured with higher administrative distance so they act as backups.
Floating static routes are static routes configured with a higher administrative distance to act as backup routes in the routing table.
✓
They can become active automatically if the preferred route is lost.
Why this is correct
This is correct because backup activation is their purpose.
Related concept
Floating static routes are static routes configured with a higher administrative distance to act as backup routes in the routing table.
✗
They always override dynamic routes immediately.
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because their higher administrative distance is specifically meant to prevent that.
When this WOULD be correct
In a question that asks about routing behavior in a scenario where all routes are configured with the same administrative distance, stating that floating static routes always override dynamic routes would be correct if the context specified that the floating static routes were intended to take precedence in all cases, regardless of the primary route's state.
✗
They are identical to equal-cost load balancing.
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because floating statics are backup mechanisms, not ECMP behavior.
When this WOULD be correct
If the exam question were to ask about routing protocols that utilize equal-cost multi-path (ECMP) routing, then stating that floating static routes are identical to equal-cost load balancing could be considered correct in a context where static routes are being compared to dynamic routing protocols that support ECMP.
✗
They remove the need for routing tables.
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because they are still part of routing-table logic.
When this WOULD be correct
In a question asking about routing protocols that simplify network management by removing the need for routing tables, this option could be correct. For example, if the question specified a scenario where a new routing protocol automatically manages all routes without traditional tables, this statement could apply.
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.
✓They are static routes configured with higher administrative distance so they act as backups.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
This is correct because that is the definition of a floating static route.
✗They always override dynamic routes immediately.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This option is incorrect because floating static routes do not override dynamic routes immediately; they only take effect when the primary route fails, allowing for a backup route to be used.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a question that asks about routing behavior in a scenario where all routes are configured with the same administrative distance, stating that floating static routes always override dynamic routes would be correct if the context specified that the floating static routes were intended to take precedence in all cases, regardless of the primary route's state.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may choose this option due to a misunderstanding of how static and dynamic routes interact, mistakenly believing that floating static routes inherently have priority over dynamic routes at all times.
✗They are identical to equal-cost load balancing.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This option is incorrect because floating static routes do not perform load balancing; they serve as backup routes with higher administrative distances that activate only when the primary route fails.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the exam question were to ask about routing protocols that utilize equal-cost multi-path (ECMP) routing, then stating that floating static routes are identical to equal-cost load balancing could be considered correct in a context where static routes are being compared to dynamic routing protocols that support ECMP.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may find this option tempting because they might confuse the concept of floating static routes with load balancing techniques, especially if they have encountered scenarios where multiple routes are used for redundancy and performance.
✗They remove the need for routing tables.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This option is wrong because floating static routes do not eliminate the need for routing tables; they simply provide a backup route with a higher administrative distance. Routing tables are still necessary for the overall routing process.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a question asking about routing protocols that simplify network management by removing the need for routing tables, this option could be correct. For example, if the question specified a scenario where a new routing protocol automatically manages all routes without traditional tables, this statement could apply.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might find this option tempting because they may confuse floating static routes with advanced routing protocols that claim to simplify routing management, leading to the misconception that static routes could eliminate routing tables altogether.
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
Be cautious of confusing floating static routes with load balancing or manual intervention requirements.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Floating static routes are a type of static route configured with an administrative distance higher than that of the primary route. Administrative distance is a value used by Cisco routers to select the best path when multiple routes to the same destination exist from different routing sources. By assigning a higher administrative distance to a floating static route, it remains inactive and does not interfere with the preferred route learned via dynamic routing protocols or lower-distance static routes.
The router uses the administrative distance to decide which route to install in the routing table. When the preferred route fails or is removed, the floating static route with the higher administrative distance becomes the next best option and activates automatically. This failover mechanism ensures network resilience without requiring complex dynamic routing protocol configurations. Floating static routes are commonly used as backup routes to provide simple redundancy.
A common exam trap is misunderstanding the behavior of floating static routes as always overriding dynamic routes or participating in load balancing. Because floating static routes have a higher administrative distance, they do not immediately override dynamic routes or equal-cost load balancing paths. Instead, they only activate when the preferred route disappears, serving as a backup rather than a primary path. Recognizing this distinction is critical for correctly answering questions about routing behavior and administrative distance in the CCNA exam.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Floating static routes are static routes configured with a higher administrative distance to act as backup routes in the routing table.
The router prefers routes with lower administrative distance and installs them in the routing table over floating static routes.
Floating static routes become active only when the preferred route with a lower administrative distance is lost or unavailable.
Administrative distance determines the trustworthiness of a route source and influences route selection in Cisco routers.
Floating static routes do not participate in equal-cost multipath (ECMP) load balancing because they have higher administrative distance.
Dynamic routing protocols typically have lower administrative distance than floating static routes, so dynamic routes are preferred.
Floating static routes provide a simple failover mechanism without requiring dynamic routing protocol reconfiguration.
Misunderstanding floating static routes as always overriding dynamic routes is a common exam trap.
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
Floating static routes are static routes configured with a higher administrative distance to act as backup routes in the routing table.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 200-301 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Floating static routes are static routes configured with a higher administrative distance to act as backup routes in the routing table. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 200-301 question in full detail.
Review floating static routes are static routes configured with a higher administrative distance to act as backup routes in the routing table., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
IP Routing — This question tests IP Routing — Floating static routes are static routes configured with a higher administrative distance to act as backup routes in the routing table..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: They are static routes configured with higher administrative distance so they act as backups. — The two correct statements describe floating static routes as backup routes with higher administrative distance that activate when the preferred route is lost. Option C is wrong because floating static routes have a higher administrative distance, so they do not override dynamic routes immediately; they only activate if the dynamic route is lost. Option D is wrong because floating static routes are for backup, not equal-cost load balancing. Option E is wrong because floating static routes are entries in the routing table that provide backup, not a replacement for it.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review floating static routes are static routes configured with a higher administrative distance to act as backup routes in the routing table., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Floating static routes are static routes configured with a higher administrative distance to act as backup routes in the routing table.
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