The answer is that when both `set ip next-hop` and `set ip default next-hop` are configured in the same route-map entry, the `set ip next-hop` is evaluated first and used if reachable; if it is unreachable, the `set ip default next-hop` is applied only when the routing table contains no explicit route to the destination. This layered behavior exists because `set ip next-hop` overrides the routing table entirely when the next hop is available, while `set ip default next-hop` acts as a fallback that only kicks in when the routing table itself has no route—making it a conditional override rather than a simple backup. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this distinction is a classic trap: many candidates mistakenly assume the default next-hop is used whenever the primary next-hop fails, but the key is that the default next-hop is ignored if a route exists in the routing table, even if that route is less optimal. To remember this, think of the phrase “primary first, default only if no route exists”—the `set ip default next-hop` is not a failover for an unreachable next-hop; it is a failover for a missing route.
300-410 Policy-Based Routing (PBR) Practice Question
This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of policy-based routing (pbr). This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
What is the default behavior of PBR when a 'set ip next-hop' and a 'set ip default next-hop' are both configured in the same route-map entry?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The 'set ip next-hop' is used if reachable; otherwise, the 'set ip default next-hop' is used if the routing table has no explicit route.
The 'set ip next-hop' is evaluated first. If it is reachable, it is used. If not, then the 'set ip default next-hop' is used, but only if there is no explicit route in the routing table.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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 'set ip default next-hop' is always used first.
Why it's wrong here
The 'set ip next-hop' is evaluated first.
✗
Both are used simultaneously, and the router load-balances.
Why it's wrong here
Only one next-hop is used; there is no load-balancing between them.
✓
The 'set ip next-hop' is used if reachable; otherwise, the 'set ip default next-hop' is used if the routing table has no explicit route.
Why this is correct
This is the correct order of evaluation.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The router ignores both and uses the routing table.
Why it's wrong here
PBR processes the set commands in order.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
PBR processes the set commands in order.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 300-410 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. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. 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 300-410 question in full detail.
Identify which 300-410 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Policy-Based Routing (PBR) — This question tests Policy-Based Routing (PBR) — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The 'set ip next-hop' is used if reachable; otherwise, the 'set ip default next-hop' is used if the routing table has no explicit route. — The 'set ip next-hop' is evaluated first. If it is reachable, it is used. If not, then the 'set ip default next-hop' is used, but only if there is no explicit route in the routing table.
What should I do if I get this 300-410 question wrong?
Identify which 300-410 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Which statement correctly describes the behavior of PBR when the next-hop specified in a 'set ip next-hop' command is unreachable?
medium
A.The packet is dropped immediately.
B.The router sends an ICMP unreachable message.
✓ C.The router uses the routing table to forward the packet.
D.The router uses the default route if configured.
Why C: If the next-hop is unreachable, PBR will fall back to the normal routing table lookup, unless a 'set ip default next-hop' is configured.
Variation 2. A network engineer is troubleshooting PBR on a Cisco router where traffic from subnet 172.16.1.0/24 should be forwarded to next-hop 10.10.10.2. The route map 'PBR-172' is applied to interface GigabitEthernet0/0. The engineer notices that the PBR policy is not working at all. The engineer checks the route map configuration and sees 'match ip address 110' and 'set ip next-hop 10.10.10.2'. The engineer also checks the ACL 110 and confirms it matches 172.16.1.0/24. The engineer then checks the interface configuration and sees 'ip policy route-map PBR-172' applied. What should the engineer do next to isolate the issue?
medium
✓ A.Check if the next-hop 10.10.10.2 is reachable via the routing table.
B.Add the 'set ip default next-hop' command to the route map.
C.Change the route map to use 'set interface' instead of 'set ip next-hop'.
D.Apply the route map to the outgoing interface instead of the incoming interface.
Why A: The engineer should verify that the next-hop 10.10.10.2 is reachable via a directly connected interface or a static route. PBR will not forward traffic to a next-hop that is not in the routing table or not directly connected, and will fall back to the routing table. The engineer can use 'show ip route 10.10.10.2' to check reachability.
Variation 3. An engineer configures PBR on a Cisco router using the following commands: 'route-map PBR permit 10', 'match ip address 100', 'set ip next-hop 10.1.1.1', and applies it inbound on interface GigabitEthernet0/1. Which TWO statements about this configuration are true? (Choose TWO.)
hard
A.The command 'ip policy route-map PBR' must be applied under interface GigabitEthernet0/1 in global configuration mode.
B.If the next hop 10.1.1.1 becomes unreachable, packets that match ACL 100 will be dropped by default.
✓ C.Packets that do not match ACL 100 will be forwarded using the normal routing table.
✓ D.The command 'debug ip policy' can be used to verify which packets are being policy-routed and to which next hop.
E.The route map must also include a 'match interface' statement to specify the incoming interface.
Why C: PBR is applied inbound on an interface. The route map matches packets using ACL 100. If the next hop is unreachable, the packet is forwarded using the routing table (if a default route exists) or dropped. PBR can be verified using 'show route-map' and 'debug ip policy'. The route map must be applied to the interface using 'ip policy route-map PBR'.
Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026
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