Quick Answer
The directly connected route is the active route in the routing table because it carries a Junos route preference of 0, the lowest possible value, making it unbeatable when the interface is up. In Junos, route preference is the tiebreaker when multiple routing protocols learn the same destination; direct routes (preference 0) always win over static routes (preference 5) and OSPF internal routes (preference 10). This concept is a core topic on the JNCIA-Junos exam, often appearing in route preference comparison questions designed to test your understanding of how Junos selects the active route. A common trap is assuming a static route overrides a direct route, but remember that direct routes are always preferred because they represent the interface itself. For a quick memory tip: think of the preference numbers as a race—zero is the starting line, and no other protocol can cross it first.
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 a directly connected route to 10.10.10.0/24 on interface ge-0/0/0.0, a static route to the same prefix with next-hop 192.168.1.1, and an OSPF route to the same prefix. Which route is active in the routing table?
The static route
Why wrong: Static preference 5 is higher than 0, so loses to direct.
No route is active due to multiple routes
Why wrong: The direct route is active; others remain hidden.
The OSPF route
Why wrong: OSPF preference 10 is higher than direct and static.
The directly connected route
Direct routes have preference 0, which is the lowest possible, so they are always preferred.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
The directly connected route
The correct answer is A. Directly connected routes have a preference of 0, which is the lowest and therefore always preferred when the interface is up. Static routes have preference 5, OSPF internal has 10. So the direct route wins. Options B, C, and D are incorrect because none can beat a direct route.
Key principle: OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
The static route
Why it's wrong here
Static preference 5 is higher than 0, so loses to direct.
No route is active due to multiple routes
Why it's wrong here
The direct route is active; others remain hidden.
The OSPF route
Why it's wrong here
OSPF preference 10 is higher than direct and static.
The directly connected route
Why this is correct
Direct routes have preference 0, which is the lowest possible, so they are always preferred.
Related concept
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
Common exam traps
OSPF neighbour formation depends on matching areas, timers, network type, authentication and passive-interface behaviour. Do not choose an answer only because the devices can ping.
Detailed technical explanation
OSPF questions usually test the details that control adjacency and route selection. Read the neighbour state, area, router ID and interface configuration before deciding what is wrong.
Key takeaway
OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
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
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related JNCIA-JUNOS OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
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FAQ
Routing Fundamentals — This question tests Routing Fundamentals — OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters..
The correct answer is: The directly connected route — The correct answer is A. Directly connected routes have a preference of 0, which is the lowest and therefore always preferred when the interface is up. Static routes have preference 5, OSPF internal has 10. So the direct route wins. Options B, C, and D are incorrect because none can beat a direct route.
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related JNCIA-JUNOS OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
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Same concept, more angles
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A network engineer configures a static route to 10.0.0.0/8 with a preference of 20. An OSPF internal route to 10.0.0.0/8 has a default preference of 10. Which route will be active in the routing table?
mediumWhy C: The OSPF route has a lower preference (10) than the static route (20), so OSPF is chosen. Option A is incorrect because preference is the deciding factor. Option C is false; only one active route per prefix. Option D is incorrect.
Variation 2. What is the default preference value of a directly connected (direct) route in JunOS?
easyWhy C: In JunOS, directly connected routes have a default preference value of 0, which is the highest possible preference (lowest numerical value). This ensures that directly connected routes are always preferred over routes learned from any dynamic routing protocol, as they represent interfaces that are directly reachable on the local device.
Variation 3. What is the default preference of a direct route in Junos?
easyWhy A: Direct routes in Junos have a default preference of 0, which is the highest possible preference (lowest numerical value). This ensures that directly connected routes are always preferred over any other route type, including static routes (preference 5) and OSPF internal routes (preference 10). The preference value is used by Junos to select the best route when multiple routes exist to the same destination.
Variation 4. A Juniper device receives several routes to the same destination prefix from different routing protocols. Which parameter is used first to select the active route?
easyWhy A: Option C is correct because route preference (administrative distance) is compared first when routes are from different protocols. Options A and B are BGP-specific and used after preference. Option D is used within the same protocol only.
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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