Gateway & Backup Routes
Routing
Overview
A default route is the least-specific match. More specific prefixes win before administrative distance; distance selects among candidates for the same prefix. A floating static backup uses a less-preferred distance so it becomes active when the primary route is unavailable.
Protocol stages
- 1Prefix match
- 2Primary candidate
- 3Availability
- 4Backup candidate
Interactive exercise
Knowledge check
Two routes have identical /24 prefixes. Primary has distance 1 and backup 200; both are available. Which wins?
Related practice
Lab: default-routeEducational model — not real hardware, traffic or official certification.