The answer is that the next-hop IP address 10.1.1.1 is not reachable within VRF_ORANGE. This is because a static route configured with the ip route vrf command will only be installed into the VRF’s routing table if the specified next-hop is directly connected or already reachable via another route within that same VRF; if the next-hop is missing from the VRF’s routing table, the static route remains in the configuration but is not active. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of VRF-Lite route installation rules, where a common trap is assuming a static route will appear regardless of next-hop reachability—similar to the global table, the VRF must have a valid path to the next-hop. A helpful memory tip is “VRF static routes need a local next-hop friend,” meaning the next-hop must be a known neighbor inside the VRF before the route will show.
300-410 VRF-Lite Practice Question
This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of vrf-lite. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 engineer is troubleshooting a VRF-Lite deployment where a router is configured with VRF_ORANGE. The engineer attempts to configure a static route in VRF_ORANGE using the command 'ip route vrf VRF_ORANGE 192.168.10.0 255.255.255.0 10.1.1.1', but the route does not appear in the routing table. The 'show ip route vrf VRF_ORANGE' does not show the static route. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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 IP address 10.1.1.1 is not reachable in VRF_ORANGE.
Static routes in VRF-Lite require that the next-hop IP address is reachable within the same VRF. If the next-hop is not in the VRF's routing table, the static route will not be installed.
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 next-hop IP address 10.1.1.1 is not reachable in VRF_ORANGE.
Why this is correct
The static route will only be installed if the next-hop is reachable via a connected or dynamic route in the same VRF.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The 'ip classless' command is disabled.
Why it's wrong here
Classless routing is enabled by default and does not affect static route installation per VRF.
✗
The static route is missing the 'permanent' keyword.
Why it's wrong here
The permanent keyword is optional and not required for the route to be installed.
✗
The router has 'no ip routing' configured.
Why it's wrong here
Disabling IP routing would prevent all routing, not just static routes in a VRF.
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
Keyword trap
The permanent keyword is optional and not required for the route to be installed.
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.
VRF-Lite — This question tests VRF-Lite — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The next-hop IP address 10.1.1.1 is not reachable in VRF_ORANGE. — Static routes in VRF-Lite require that the next-hop IP address is reachable within the same VRF. If the next-hop is not in the VRF's routing table, the static route will not be installed.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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