This JNCIA-JUNOS practice question tests your understanding of networking 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.
A network administrator is configuring a new subnet for servers that must not communicate with each other directly but must be able to reach a default gateway. Which type of route should be configured on the servers?
Host route for the gateway
Why wrong: Host route is for a single IP, not for reaching all destinations.
Default route pointing to the gateway
Standard for server default gateway configuration.
Dynamic route via OSPF
Why wrong: Servers typically do not run routing protocols.
Static route to each other server
Why wrong: Unnecessary and would allow direct communication.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Default route pointing to the gateway
A default route (0.0.0.0/0) pointing to the gateway is correct because it allows servers to reach any external destination (including the gateway) without requiring explicit routes to each other. Since the servers must not communicate directly, they should not have routes to each other's subnets; the default route ensures all non-local traffic is forwarded to the gateway, which can then enforce isolation policies.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Host route for the gateway
Why it's wrong here
Host route is for a single IP, not for reaching all destinations.
Default route pointing to the gateway
Why this is correct
Standard for server default gateway configuration.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Dynamic route via OSPF
Why it's wrong here
Servers typically do not run routing protocols.
Static route to each other server
Why it's wrong here
Unnecessary and would allow direct communication.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse a default route with a host route, thinking a specific route to the gateway is sufficient, but a default route is required to reach all external destinations beyond the local subnet.
Detailed technical explanation
In Junos, a default route is typically configured as a static route with destination 0.0.0.0/0 and next-hop pointing to the gateway IP. On servers, this is often set via the operating system's routing table (e.g., 'route add default gw <gateway-ip>'). The default route has the lowest prefix length (0), so it matches any destination not covered by more specific routes, ensuring all external traffic is sent to the gateway. In a real-world scenario, this is common in isolated server subnets where east-west traffic is blocked by ACLs or firewall rules, and only north-south traffic through the gateway is allowed.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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FAQ
Networking Fundamentals — This question tests Networking Fundamentals — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Default route pointing to the gateway — A default route (0.0.0.0/0) pointing to the gateway is correct because it allows servers to reach any external destination (including the gateway) without requiring explicit routes to each other. Since the servers must not communicate directly, they should not have routes to each other's subnets; the default route ensures all non-local traffic is forwarded to the gateway, which can then enforce isolation policies.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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