mediumMultiple Choice
300-410 Practice Question: Which statement correctly describes the behavior…
Which statement correctly describes the behavior of PBR when the next-hop specified in a 'set ip next-hop' command is unreachable?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap is assuming PBR drops packets when the next-hop is unreachable, when in fact the default behavior is to fall back to the routing table.
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 router uses the routing table to forward the packet.
When the next-hop specified by 'set ip next-hop' is unreachable, PBR does not drop the packet by default. Instead, the router falls back to the normal routing table lookup for the destination and forwards the packet accordingly. This fallback behavior preserves connectivity when the PBR next-hop fails.
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 packet is dropped immediately.
Why it's wrong here
An unreachable set ip next-hop does not drop the packet; the route-map entry fails and policy routing continues to the next entry or the routing table. It is tempting because a failed next-hop looks like a black hole, but dropping only occurs with set ip next-hop verify-availability or a null interface.
- ✗
The router sends an ICMP unreachable message.
Why it's wrong here
PBR does not generate ICMP unreachable messages when a set ip next-hop address fails; the route-map entry simply fails to match and evaluation continues. It is tempting because unreachable destinations normally trigger ICMP from the forwarding path, but policy-based forwarding bypasses that behaviour.
- ✓
The router uses the routing table to forward the packet.
Why this is correct
When the configured next-hop is unreachable, policy-based routing falls back to the routing information base rather than dropping the packet. The router performs a recursive lookup and forwards using the best matching route, satisfying the stem's scenario of an unreachable set ip next-hop target.
- ✗
The router uses the default route if configured.
Why it's wrong here
Policy routing does not fall back to the default route when set ip next-hop is unreachable; the entry fails and normal destination-based forwarding resumes, which may or may not use a default route. It is tempting because default routes are the usual fallback, but PBR bypasses that lookup entirely.
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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
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