Quick Answer
The answer is the route with metric 5 is installed in the routing table. This is because Junos follows a hierarchical route selection process: when two static routes to the same destination share the same preference (administrative distance), the tie is broken by comparing the metric value, with the lower metric winning. In this case, metric 5 is lower than metric 10, so the route with metric 5 is selected for installation. On the JNCIA-Junos exam, this concept tests your understanding of the route selection algorithm, where preference is checked first and metric acts as the decisive tiebreaker for static routes. A common trap is assuming metric is irrelevant for static routes or that higher metrics are preferred, but the rule is always "lower metric wins" when preference is equal. Remember the mnemonic: "Same pref, lower metric gets the shelf."
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 Juniper router is configured with two static routes to the same destination network, both with the same preference. One route has a metric of 5, the other a metric of 10. Which route will be installed in the routing table?
Neither route is installed because they conflict
Why wrong: Static routes can coexist; the best is chosen.
The route with metric 5 is installed
Lower metric is preferred when preference is equal.
The route with metric 10 is installed
Why wrong: Higher metric is worse.
Both routes are installed with equal preference
Why wrong: Only the best route is installed.
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 route with metric 5 is installed
In JUNOS, when multiple static routes to the same destination have the same preference (administrative distance), the route with the lower metric is selected for installation in the routing table. Here, metric 5 is lower than metric 10, so the route with metric 5 is installed. This behavior follows the standard route selection process where preference is evaluated first, then metric (also called cost or next-hop metric) as a tiebreaker.
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.
Neither route is installed because they conflict
Why it's wrong here
Static routes can coexist; the best is chosen.
The route with metric 5 is installed
Why this is correct
Lower metric is preferred when preference is equal.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
The route with metric 10 is installed
Why it's wrong here
Higher metric is worse.
Both routes are installed with equal preference
Why it's wrong here
Only the best route is installed.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse metric with preference or assume that both routes will be installed for load balancing, but JUNOS requires equal metrics (and equal preferences) for ECMP, not just equal preferences.
Detailed technical explanation
JUNOS uses a two-step route selection process: first, the route with the lowest preference value is chosen; if preferences are equal, the route with the lowest metric is selected. For static routes, the metric is set via the 'metric' statement under 'routing-options static', and the default preference for static routes is 5 (unless changed). This behavior is consistent with the JUNOS routing table architecture, where only the active route is installed in the forwarding table, and inactive routes are hidden unless explicitly displayed with 'show route extensive'.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
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: The route with metric 5 is installed — In JUNOS, when multiple static routes to the same destination have the same preference (administrative distance), the route with the lower metric is selected for installation in the routing table. Here, metric 5 is lower than metric 10, so the route with metric 5 is installed. This behavior follows the standard route selection process where preference is evaluated first, then metric (also called cost or next-hop metric) as a tiebreaker.
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
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.
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