The route via 10.0.0.2 on ethernet1/3 is the correct choice because the firewall selects the path with the lowest administrative distance (AD) when multiple routes exist for the same destination network. Administrative distance is a trustworthiness metric; a lower AD value indicates a more reliable routing source. Here, the OSPF-learned route carries an AD of 10, which is lower than the static route’s AD of 20 and the RIP route’s AD of 110, making it the preferred path for forwarding traffic to 10.0.1.1. On the PCNSA exam, this concept tests your understanding of route selection based on administrative distance over ECMP, as Palo Alto firewalls prioritize AD before considering equal-cost multipath. A common trap is assuming all dynamic protocols are equal—remember that OSPF (AD 10) always beats static (AD 10 or 20 depending on configuration) and RIP (AD 110). Memory tip: “Lowest AD wins the road”—think of AD as a VIP pass, with OSPF holding the front-row ticket.
PCNSA Core Concepts Practice Question
This PCNSA practice question tests your understanding of core concepts. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
show routing route 10.0.1.0/24
vr: default
10.0.1.0/24
via 10.0.0.2, interface ethernet1/3, metric 10, preference 10, route-type static
via 10.0.0.3, interface ethernet1/4, metric 20, preference 10, route-type static
via 10.0.0.4, interface ethernet1/5, metric 10, preference 30, route-type ospf
Refer to the exhibit. A firewall has learned three routes for the 10.0.1.0/24 network. Which route will be used for forwarding traffic destined to 10.0.1.1?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The route via 10.0.0.2 on ethernet1/3
The firewall selects the route with the lowest administrative distance (AD) for forwarding traffic to 10.0.1.1. In this scenario, the route via 10.0.0.2 on ethernet1/3 has an AD of 10 (typically OSPF), which is lower than the AD of 20 (static route) and 110 (RIP). Therefore, it is the preferred route.
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.
Incorrect: Preferences differ, so ECMP does not apply.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume ECMP applies whenever multiple routes exist, but they overlook that ECMP requires identical administrative distances and metrics, not just the same destination network.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Administrative distance is a Cisco-proprietary trustworthiness value used to select the best route when multiple routing protocols provide routes to the same destination. The lower the AD, the more trustworthy the route source. In this case, OSPF (AD 10) is preferred over a static route (AD 20) and RIP (AD 110). Even if the metrics were equal, the AD difference prevents ECMP; only routes with identical AD and metric can be load-balanced.
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.
Core Concepts — This question tests Core Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The route via 10.0.0.2 on ethernet1/3 — The firewall selects the route with the lowest administrative distance (AD) for forwarding traffic to 10.0.1.1. In this scenario, the route via 10.0.0.2 on ethernet1/3 has an AD of 10 (typically OSPF), which is lower than the AD of 20 (static route) and 110 (RIP). Therefore, it is the preferred route.
What should I do if I get this PCNSA 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.
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Question Discussion
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