The answer is the static route, because it has a lower preference value of 5 compared to OSPF’s default preference of 10. In Junos, when a packet matches both a static route and an OSPF route to the same destination, the route with the lowest preference value is installed in the forwarding table, regardless of metric or protocol overhead. This concept directly tests your understanding of route selection logic for the JNCIA-Junos exam, where preference acts as the primary tiebreaker before any other attributes. A common trap is confusing preference with metric—OSPF may have a better metric, but preference always wins first. Remember the mnemonic: “5 is alive, 10 is the end”—static routes (5) take priority over OSPF (10) in Junos.
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.
During a routing table lookup, a packet matches both a static route and an OSPF route to the same destination. Which route will be installed in the forwarding table?
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, because it has a lower preference value.
In Junos, the route with the lowest preference value is installed in the forwarding table. Static routes have a default preference of 5, while OSPF internal routes have a default preference of 10. Therefore, the static route is preferred and 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.
✗
Both routes, if they are equal-cost.
Why it's wrong here
Routes have different preferences, so not equal-cost.
✗
The route with the higher preference value.
Why it's wrong here
Lower preference is preferred.
✗
The OSPF route, because OSPF is a dynamic routing protocol.
Why it's wrong here
Dynamic protocols may have higher preference, not automatically preferred.
✓
The static route, because it has a lower preference value.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume dynamic protocols like OSPF are always preferred over static routes, but Junos uses preference (administrative distance) where static routes have a lower default value than OSPF, making them more preferred.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Junos uses a single routing table (inet.0) where each route has a preference value; the route with the lowest preference is selected as active and installed in the forwarding table. Static routes default to preference 5, OSPF internal routes to 10, and OSPF external routes to 150. This preference mechanism is independent of metric, so even if OSPF had a better metric, the static route would still win due to lower preference.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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, because it has a lower preference value. — In Junos, the route with the lowest preference value is installed in the forwarding table. Static routes have a default preference of 5, while OSPF internal routes have a default preference of 10. Therefore, the static route is preferred and installed.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
This JNCIA-JUNOS practice question is part of Courseiva's free Juniper Networks certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the JNCIA-JUNOS exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.