- A
The 'set ip next-hop' command overrides the routing table only when the next-hop address is reachable; if unreachable, the packet is dropped unless a default route exists.
Correct. PBR with 'set ip next-hop' requires the next hop to be reachable; if not, the packet is forwarded using the routing table (if a default route exists) or dropped.
- B
The 'set ip default next-hop' command is used to forward packets that match the route-map permit statement, regardless of whether a route exists in the routing table.
Why wrong: Incorrect. 'set ip default next-hop' is only applied when the routing table has no explicit route for the destination; if a route exists, the command is ignored.
- C
The 'set ip next-hop verify-availability' feature uses ICMP echo requests to verify next-hop reachability before applying PBR.
Why wrong: Incorrect. 'set ip next-hop verify-availability' uses CEF (Cisco Express Forwarding) adjacency information, not ICMP, to verify reachability.
- D
When using 'set interface' in a PBR route map, the router forwards the packet out the specified interface without requiring a next-hop IP address, but the interface must be up/up.
Correct. 'set interface' can be used to forward packets out a specific interface; the next hop is resolved via ARP or the routing table, but the interface must be operational.
- E
If a route map with 'set ip next-hop' is applied inbound on an interface, PBR processes only the first packet of a flow; subsequent packets use the routing table.
Why wrong: Incorrect. PBR processes every packet that matches the route map, not just the first; fast switching or CEF may cache the result, but the policy is applied per packet.
Quick Answer
The correct answer involves understanding that 'set ip next-hop' forces traffic to a specified next hop regardless of the routing table, while 'set ip default next-hop' only applies when no explicit route exists in the routing table. This distinction is critical because PBR with 'set ip next-hop' will drop the packet if the next hop is unreachable and no default route is present, whereas 'set ip default next-hop' acts as a fallback, forwarding traffic only when the routing table lacks a match. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this topic tests your ability to differentiate between overriding the routing table versus supplementing it, often appearing in scenario-based questions where a candidate must choose the correct command to avoid black-holing traffic. A common trap is confusing 'set ip default next-hop' with a default route—remember, it only kicks in when no explicit route exists, not when the next hop is down. Memory tip: think "next-hop forces, default-next-hop fills the gap."
300-410 Policy-Based Routing (PBR) Practice Question
This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of policy-based routing (pbr). Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.
Which TWO statements correctly describe the behavior of Policy-Based Routing (PBR) when using the 'set ip next-hop' and 'set ip default next-hop' commands? (Choose TWO.)
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 'set ip next-hop' command overrides the routing table only when the next-hop address is reachable; if unreachable, the packet is dropped unless a default route exists.
PBR uses route maps to override the routing table. The 'set ip next-hop' command is applied only if the packet matches the match criteria; if the next hop is unreachable, the packet is dropped (unless a default route exists). The 'set ip default next-hop' command is used only when the routing table has no explicit route for the destination. The 'set ip next-hop verify-availability' option tracks reachability using CEF. The 'set interface' command does not require a next-hop IP but can be used for directly connected networks.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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 next-hop' command overrides the routing table only when the next-hop address is reachable; if unreachable, the packet is dropped unless a default route exists.
Why this is correct
Correct. PBR with 'set ip next-hop' requires the next hop to be reachable; if not, the packet is forwarded using the routing table (if a default route exists) or dropped.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- ✗
The 'set ip default next-hop' command is used to forward packets that match the route-map permit statement, regardless of whether a route exists in the routing table.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. 'set ip default next-hop' is only applied when the routing table has no explicit route for the destination; if a route exists, the command is ignored.
- ✗
The 'set ip next-hop verify-availability' feature uses ICMP echo requests to verify next-hop reachability before applying PBR.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. 'set ip next-hop verify-availability' uses CEF (Cisco Express Forwarding) adjacency information, not ICMP, to verify reachability.
- ✓
When using 'set interface' in a PBR route map, the router forwards the packet out the specified interface without requiring a next-hop IP address, but the interface must be up/up.
- ✗
If a route map with 'set ip next-hop' is applied inbound on an interface, PBR processes only the first packet of a flow; subsequent packets use the routing table.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. PBR processes every packet that matches the route map, not just the first; fast switching or CEF may cache the result, but the policy is applied per packet.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Incorrect. 'set ip default next-hop' is only applied when the routing table has no explicit route for the destination; if a route exists, the command is ignored.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
- Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
- NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
- Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
- Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
- Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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 the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 300-410 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
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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) — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The 'set ip next-hop' command overrides the routing table only when the next-hop address is reachable; if unreachable, the packet is dropped unless a default route exists. — PBR uses route maps to override the routing table. The 'set ip next-hop' command is applied only if the packet matches the match criteria; if the next hop is unreachable, the packet is dropped (unless a default route exists). The 'set ip default next-hop' command is used only when the routing table has no explicit route for the destination. The 'set ip next-hop verify-availability' option tracks reachability using CEF. The 'set interface' command does not require a next-hop IP but can be used for directly connected networks.
What should I do if I get this 300-410 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 300-410 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026
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