4.3.4. Floating Static Route

A floating static route has a higher AD than normal so it's only used if the primary route fails. This creates backup paths.

IPv4 Example:

! Primary route via OSPF (AD 110)
! Backup static route with AD 120
Router(config)# ip route 172.16.0.0 255.255.0.0 10.1.1.1 120

IPv6 Example:

Router(config)# ipv6 route 2001:DB8:2::/64 2001:DB8:1::1 130

Verification:

Router# show ip route static
Router# show ipv6 route static
Router# show ip route 172.16.0.0

⚠️ Exam Trap: If a static route's next-hop IP is unreachable (no route to it), the static route won't appear in the routing table. The route becomes active again when the next hop is reachable. "Unreachable" means the router has no route to the next hop. If the next hop sits in a connected subnet whose interface is still up, the route stays installed even after that device dies, and traffic black-holes unless the route is tied to a tracking object (IP SLA).