- A
The next-hop 10.10.10.2 does not have a route to the destination, causing traffic to be dropped. Ensure the next-hop has a route to the destination or use a next-hop that does.
PBR forwards traffic to the set next-hop, but if that next-hop does not have a route to the destination, the traffic will be dropped. This is a common issue when PBR is used to steer traffic through a specific path that does not have full routing information.
- B
The route-map on R1 is missing a 'set ip next-hop verify-availability' command, causing PBR to use an unreachable next-hop.
Why wrong: The debug output shows traffic being forwarded to 10.10.10.2, indicating the next-hop is reachable. The issue is that the next-hop does not have a route to the destination, not that it is unreachable.
- C
The routing table on R1 has a better route to the destination via 10.20.20.2, but PBR is overriding it incorrectly.
Why wrong: PBR is designed to override the routing table for matched traffic. The issue is not that PBR is overriding incorrectly, but that the next-hop it is using does not have a route to the destination.
- D
The ACL in the route-map is matching traffic from the wrong subnet, causing PBR to be applied to the wrong traffic.
Why wrong: The debug output shows traffic from 172.16.1.0/24 being forwarded to 10.10.10.2, so the ACL is matching correctly.
Quick Answer
The answer is that the next-hop 10.10.10.2 lacks a route to the destination, causing traffic to be silently dropped. Policy-based routing (PBR) overrides the routing table by forcing traffic to a specified next-hop, but it does not verify whether that next-hop can actually forward the packets further. In this scenario, the debug output confirms PBR is forwarding traffic to 10.10.10.2, yet the destination remains unreachable because the WAN router at that address has no path back to the target network. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this tests your understanding that PBR only controls the first hop; the next-hop router must still have its own valid route to the destination. A common trap is assuming PBR handles end-to-end delivery, when in fact it simply bypasses the local routing table. Remember the memory tip: “PBR picks the path, but the next-hop must have the map”—the next-hop router must know where to send the traffic, or it will be dropped.
300-410 Policy-Based Routing (PBR) Practice Question
This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of policy-based routing (pbr). Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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.
A network uses PBR to route traffic from a specific subnet (172.16.1.0/24) through a WAN link (next-hop 10.10.10.2). After a routing change, traffic from this subnet is being sent to the WAN link but is not reaching the destination. Router R1 shows: 'show route-map' shows the route-map is applied, 'debug ip policy' shows traffic being forwarded to 10.10.10.2, but 'show ip route' on R1 shows a route to the destination via a different next-hop (10.20.20.2). What is the root cause?
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
The next-hop 10.10.10.2 does not have a route to the destination, causing traffic to be dropped. Ensure the next-hop has a route to the destination or use a next-hop that does.
PBR forwards traffic to the set next-hop (10.10.10.2), but the routing table on R1 shows a different route to the destination. This indicates that PBR is overriding the routing table, but the next-hop 10.10.10.2 may not have a route to the destination, causing the traffic to be dropped. The solution is to ensure the next-hop has a route to the destination or use a different next-hop.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
The next-hop 10.10.10.2 does not have a route to the destination, causing traffic to be dropped. Ensure the next-hop has a route to the destination or use a next-hop that does.
Why this is correct
PBR forwards traffic to the set next-hop, but if that next-hop does not have a route to the destination, the traffic will be dropped. This is a common issue when PBR is used to steer traffic through a specific path that does not have full routing information.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- ✗
The route-map on R1 is missing a 'set ip next-hop verify-availability' command, causing PBR to use an unreachable next-hop.
Why it's wrong here
The debug output shows traffic being forwarded to 10.10.10.2, indicating the next-hop is reachable. The issue is that the next-hop does not have a route to the destination, not that it is unreachable.
- ✗
The routing table on R1 has a better route to the destination via 10.20.20.2, but PBR is overriding it incorrectly.
Why it's wrong here
PBR is designed to override the routing table for matched traffic. The issue is not that PBR is overriding incorrectly, but that the next-hop it is using does not have a route to the destination.
- ✗
The ACL in the route-map is matching traffic from the wrong subnet, causing PBR to be applied to the wrong traffic.
Why it's wrong here
The debug output shows traffic from 172.16.1.0/24 being forwarded to 10.10.10.2, so the ACL is matching correctly.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The debug output shows traffic being forwarded to 10.10.10.2, indicating the next-hop is reachable. The issue is that the next-hop does not have a route to the destination, not that it is unreachable.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
- Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
- The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
- Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
- Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
- Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
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.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related 300-410 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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Policy-Based Routing (PBR) — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 300-410 question test?
Policy-Based Routing (PBR) — This question tests Policy-Based Routing (PBR) — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The next-hop 10.10.10.2 does not have a route to the destination, causing traffic to be dropped. Ensure the next-hop has a route to the destination or use a next-hop that does. — PBR forwards traffic to the set next-hop (10.10.10.2), but the routing table on R1 shows a different route to the destination. This indicates that PBR is overriding the routing table, but the next-hop 10.10.10.2 may not have a route to the destination, causing the traffic to be dropped. The solution is to ensure the next-hop has a route to the destination or use a different next-hop.
What should I do if I get this 300-410 question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related 300-410 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026
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