IPv4 static routes are configured using the ip route global configuration command and specifying an administrative distance. If no administrative distance is configured, the default value (1) is used.

Refer to the topology in Figure 1. In this scenario, the preferred route from R1 is to R2. The connection to R3 should be used for backup only.

R1 is configured with a default static route pointing to R2. Because no administrative distance is configured, the default value (1) is used for this static route. R1 is also configured with a floating static default pointing to R3 with an administrative distance of 5. This value is greater than the default value of 1 and, therefore, this route floats and is not present in the routing table, unless the preferred route fails.

Figure 2 verifies that the default route to R2 is installed in the routing table. Note that the backup route to R3 is not present in the routing table.

Use the Syntax Checker in Figure 3 to configure R3 similarly to R1.