300-410 Layer 3 Technologies Practice Question
A network engineer is configuring a static route on a Cisco IOS router. The engineer wants the route to be used only if the primary route fails. Which command should be used to configure a floating static route?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse the `permanent` or `track` keywords with floating static routes, when the key is administrative 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 0.0.0.0 192.168.1.1 200
A floating static route is a static route with an administrative distance higher than the primary route, so it is only installed in the routing table when the primary route is unavailable. The command `ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 192.168.1.1 200` sets the administrative distance to 200, making it less preferred than dynamic routes. This is the standard method to configure a floating static route.
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 0.0.0.0 192.168.1.1 200
Why this is correct
A floating static route is configured with an administrative distance higher than that of the primary route. The command `ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 192.168.1.1 200` sets the administrative distance to 200, which is higher than the default administrative distance of most dynamic routing protocols (e.g., OSPF is 110, EIGRP is 90). This ensures the static route is only used if the primary route is not in the routing table.
- ✗
ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 192.168.1.1 track 1
Why it's wrong here
The `track` keyword associates the static route with a tracking object, allowing the route to be removed if the tracked object goes down. This is not a floating static route; it is a conditional static route that reacts to tracking. A floating static route uses administrative distance to determine preference, not tracking.
- ✗
ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 192.168.1.1 name BACKUP
Why it's wrong here
The `name` keyword assigns a name to the static route for identification purposes. It does not affect the route's administrative distance or its preference. This command creates a normal static route with a name, not a floating static route.
- ✗
ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 192.168.1.1 permanent
Why it's wrong here
The `permanent` keyword keeps the static route in the routing table even if the interface goes down. This does not make it a floating static route; it simply prevents the route from being removed. A floating static route requires a higher administrative distance, not the permanent keyword.
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JA
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 300-410 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 300-410 exam.