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Cisco CCNA (200-301)IP ConnectivityEasy

A network administrator needs to configure a default route on an IPv4 router so that any traffic without a more specific match is forwarded to next-hop address 203.0.113.1. Which command accomplishes this?

  1. Arouter(config)# ip route 0.0.0.0 255.255.255.255 203.0.113.1
  2. Brouter(config)# ip route default 203.0.113.1
  3. Crouter(config)# ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 203.0.113.1
  4. Drouter(config)# ip default-gateway 203.0.113.1
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C. router(config)# ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 203.0.113.1

A default static route uses network 0.0.0.0 with wildcard/mask 0.0.0.0 to match any destination not covered by a more specific route, followed by the next-hop IP address.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. A /32 mask (255.255.255.255) would only match the single address 0.0.0.0, not act as a default route.
  • B. This is not valid IOS syntax; the keyword 'default' is not used this way.
  • D. ip default-gateway is used on Layer 2 switches or hosts, not for routing on a Layer 3 router.

IPv4 Default Static Route

A route entry matching all destinations (0.0.0.0/0) used when no more specific route exists.

  • Command: ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 <next-hop or exit-interface>
  • Also called the 'gateway of last resort'
  • Shown in routing table as S* 0.0.0.0/0

Memory trick: 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 = 'match anything, go here'.

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