Cisco CCNA (200-301)IP ConnectivityMedium

Two routers, R1 and R2, are running HSRP for VLAN 10. R1 has a priority of 120, and R2 has a priority of 110. Both routers have HSRP preemption enabled. R1 is currently the Active router. What will happen if R1's GigabitEthernet0/1 interface, which serves as the HSRP interface, goes down and then comes back up?

  1. AR2 will remain the Active router, as R1's priority is no longer relevant after a failure.
  2. BR2 will remain the Active router until its HSRP timers expire, then R1 will take over.
  3. CBoth routers will enter a Speak state and attempt to re-elect the Active router, with R2 likely winning due to its established active role.
  4. DR1 will immediately become the Active router again due to preemption and its higher priority.
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D. R1 will immediately become the Active router again due to preemption and its higher priority.

With preemption enabled, if a router with a higher priority comes online or recovers from a failure, it will immediately take over the Active role from the current Active router. Since R1 has a higher priority (120) and preemption is enabled, it will reassume the Active role once its interface comes back up.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. This is incorrect. With preemption, a higher-priority router will reclaim the Active role.
  • B. HSRP timers are relevant for initial election and state transitions, but preemption dictates immediate takeover by a higher-priority router when it becomes available.
  • C. HSRP is designed for fast failover; preemption ensures a quicker return to the preferred Active router, not a lengthy re-election process.

HSRP Preemption

HSRP preemption allows a router with a higher priority to take over the Active role from a lower-priority Active router, even if the lower-priority router is already active.

  • Enabled with 'standby <group-number> preempt' command.
  • Ensures the highest priority router is always Active.
  • Critical for returning to a preferred primary gateway after recovery.

Memory trick: Preemption means the KING always takes the crown back if he's able.

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