CCNA IP Routing Practice Question
You are configuring a Cisco router that connects to an ISP through two different providers. The primary path is learned dynamically through OSPF, and the backup path is a static route pointing to a next-hop of 203.0.113.1. You need the static route to remain in the routing table only when the OSPF-learned default route is unavailable. Which configuration should you apply?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that any static route automatically acts as a backup without adjusting its administrative distance above the dynamic protocol's distance.
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
✓
ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 203.0.113.1 250
A floating static route is created by configuring a static route with an administrative distance higher than that of the dynamic routing protocol providing the primary route. OSPF's default administrative distance is 110, so a static route with a distance of 250 will not be installed while the OSPF route exists. When OSPF loses the route, the static route becomes active and provides backup connectivity.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 203.0.113.1 110
Why it's wrong here
Setting the static route's administrative distance to 110 makes it equal to the OSPF default distance. When two routes have the same administrative distance but different sources, the router may install both or choose based on other factors, but it does not reliably create a floating backup that activates only when OSPF fails.
- ✗
ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 203.0.113.1 90
Why it's wrong here
An administrative distance of 90 is lower than the OSPF default distance of 110, so the static route would always be preferred over the OSPF-learned default route. This would make the static path primary, not a backup, and would prevent the OSPF route from being installed while the static route is present.
- ✗
ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 203.0.113.1 permanent
Why it's wrong here
The permanent keyword keeps the static route in the routing table even if the outgoing interface goes down, but it does not change administrative distance. It does not create a floating backup relative to OSPF, and it could cause traffic to be forwarded to a dead next hop when the primary path fails.
- ✓
ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 203.0.113.1 250
Why this is correct
Assigning an administrative distance of 250 to the static default route makes it less preferred than the OSPF-learned default route, which has a default administrative distance of 110. The static route is installed in the routing table only when the OSPF route is removed, providing the required floating backup behavior.
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
Related to this question
Learn chapter
OSPF Authentication
Key term
ISP
An ISP is a company that provides individuals and organizations access to the Internet, along with related services like email and web hosting.
Key term
Floating static route
A floating static route is a backup route in a routing table that is only used when the primary route fails, because it has a higher administrative distance (lower priority).
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
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.