- A
Floating static route with a higher preference.
A higher preference (e.g., 15) makes the static route less preferred than OSPF (10), so it acts as a backup.
- B
Static route with a lower metric.
Why wrong: Metric is not compared across protocols; route preference is used.
- C
Reverse path forwarding.
Why wrong: Reverse path forwarding is used for unicast RPF checks, not for backup routing.
- D
Routing policy.
Why wrong: Routing policy can influence route selection but is not the specific feature for a backup static route.
Question 65 of 514
JNCIA-JUNOS Routing Fundamentals Practice Question
This JNCIA-JUNOS practice question tests your understanding of routing fundamentals. 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.
An engineer wants to configure a static route that will be used only if the primary route (learned via OSPF) becomes unavailable. Which feature should be used?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"primary"Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
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
✓
Floating static route with a higher preference.
A floating static route is configured with a higher preference (administrative distance) than the OSPF-learned route. Since JUNOS prefers routes with lower preference values, the static route will only be installed in the routing table when the OSPF route is withdrawn, providing a backup path.
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.
- ✓
Floating static route with a higher preference.
Why this is correct
A higher preference (e.g., 15) makes the static route less preferred than OSPF (10), so it acts as a backup.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Static route with a lower metric.
Why it's wrong here
Metric is not compared across protocols; route preference is used.
- ✗
Reverse path forwarding.
Why it's wrong here
Reverse path forwarding is used for unicast RPF checks, not for backup routing.
- ✗
Routing policy.
Why it's wrong here
Routing policy can influence route selection but is not the specific feature for a backup static route.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'metric' with 'preference' (administrative distance), assuming a lower metric on a static route would make it preferred over OSPF, but metric only applies within the same routing protocol, not between different sources.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In JUNOS, each route has a preference value; OSPF internal routes default to preference 10, while static routes default to 150. By configuring a static route with a preference higher than 10 (e.g., 200), the route is present in the routing table but not active unless the OSPF route is removed. This is analogous to Cisco's floating static route using administrative distance, but JUNOS uses the term 'preference' and the command 'set routing-options static route <prefix> preference <value>'.
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: Floating static route with a higher preference. — A floating static route is configured with a higher preference (administrative distance) than the OSPF-learned route. Since JUNOS prefers routes with lower preference values, the static route will only be installed in the routing table when the OSPF route is withdrawn, providing a backup path.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
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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