What is a static route?

• A. A route learned dynamically from neighbors
• B. Route manually configured by the administrator
• C. A default path used when no other route is known
• D. A route that changes based on traffic

Answer: (B)

Static routes are entries in a router’s routing table that are configured by an administrator rather than learned from other routers. You specify the destination network and the next-hop IP address (or the exit interface), and the router will always use that exact path for matching traffic. Because of this manual setup, static routes are predictable and simple, making them useful for fixed paths, security, or specific gateway points. They don’t automatically adapt to topology changes—that behavior is handled by dynamic routing protocols that exchange updates and recalculate routes. A default route can be static if you configure a 0.0.0.0/0 next-hop, but in general a static route is defined by manual configuration rather than by automatic learning or traffic-driven changes.