- A
The OSPF route
Why wrong: OSPF preference (10) is higher than static preference (5), so it loses.
- B
The static route
Lower preference number is preferred; static (5) beats OSPF (10).
- C
Neither route
Why wrong: Both routes are configured; one will be active.
- D
Both routes
Why wrong: ECMP requires equal preference; here preferences differ, so only one route is active.
Question 9 of 514
JNCIA-JUNOS Routing Fundamentals Practice Question
This JNCIA-JUNOS practice question tests your understanding of routing fundamentals. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 router has an OSPF route to 10.10.10.0/24 with preference 10 and a static route to the same prefix with preference 5. Which route is active in 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 static route
In Junos, the active route in the routing table is determined by the route preference (administrative distance). A lower preference value indicates a more trusted route. Here, the static route has a preference of 5, which is lower than the OSPF route's preference of 10, so the static route is preferred and becomes active.
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 OSPF route
Why it's wrong here
OSPF preference (10) is higher than static preference (5), so it loses.
- ✓
The static route
Why this is correct
Lower preference number is preferred; static (5) beats OSPF (10).
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Neither route
Why it's wrong here
Both routes are configured; one will be active.
- ✗
Both routes
Why it's wrong here
ECMP requires equal preference; here preferences differ, so only one route is active.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates familiar with Cisco's administrative distance (where OSPF is 110 and static is 1) might assume OSPF is preferred, but Junos uses lower preference values to indicate higher trust, and static routes default to 5, which is lower than OSPF's 10.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Junos uses route preference as the first tiebreaker when multiple routes to the same destination exist from different protocols. The default preference for static routes is 5, while OSPF internal routes default to 10. This preference value can be manually overridden, and the 'show route 10.10.10.0/24' command will display only the active route, with the inactive route shown as a hidden backup.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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 network engineer at a university connects two campus buildings via a fibre link. Both routers run OSPF, but no adjacency forms — even though both routers can ping each other. The engineer finds one router is in area 0 and the other in area 1. OSPF adjacency requires matching area numbers, hello/dead timers, and network type. IP reachability alone is not enough.
Visual reference
Quick reference
Routing Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Metric | Max Hops | Algorithm | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIP v2 | Hop count | 15 | Bellman-Ford | Distance vector |
| OSPF | Cost (bandwidth) | Unlimited | Dijkstra (SPF) | Link state |
| EIGRP | Composite metric | Unlimited | DUAL | Hybrid |
| IS-IS | Cost | Unlimited | Dijkstra | Link state |
| BGP | Policy / attributes | Unlimited | Path vector | Path vector |
RIP's 15-hop limit makes it unsuitable for large networks. OSPF and EIGRP dominate modern enterprise deployments.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this JNCIA-JUNOS question test?
Routing Fundamentals — This question tests Routing Fundamentals — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The static route — In Junos, the active route in the routing table is determined by the route preference (administrative distance). A lower preference value indicates a more trusted route. Here, the static route has a preference of 5, which is lower than the OSPF route's preference of 10, so the static route is preferred and becomes active.
What should I do if I get this JNCIA-JUNOS question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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