CCNA Static Routing: Equal-Cost Load Sharing

Bundle lab · $29.99

Build a small HQ–WAN–Branch triangle with two independent WAN paths. Configure equal-cost static routes on both edge routers so traffic to the opposite site’s LAN installs with two next-hops and is load-shared by CEF. Verify end-to-end reachability from real hosts, observe per-flow load sharing on the routers, and compare behavior to a floating static of higher administrative distance.

Learning objectives

• Configure two static routes to the same remote network using different next-hops with equal administrative distance (ECMP).
• Verify that both static routes are installed in the routing table and seen by CEF on each edge router.
• Demonstrate CEF per-flow load sharing across equal-cost static next-hops.
• Ensure bidirectional reachability between site LANs with proper static return routes.
• Contrast equal-cost static routes with a floating static route of higher administrative distance.

Troubleshooting focus

• Verify every link's interface status and IP addressing (`show ip interface brief`) and correct any interface that is down or misaddressed.
• Confirm each device's running configuration matches the lab objective, and bring any interface, route, or service that is not in its expected state back to health.
• Trace end-to-end reachability with ping/traceroute and isolate the first hop where forwarding fails.