CCNA Static Routing: Host vs Subnet (/32 vs /24)

Bundle lab

Deploy a compact two-site topology with a WAN core and two end hosts to practice IPv4 static host routes (/32) versus subnet routes (/24). You will configure a specific /32 host route to steer one destination host over the direct R1–R3 path while a broader /24 for the same remote LAN is sent via the R1–R2–R3 core. Validate with show commands and traceroute, then troubleshoot longest-prefix match and return-path issues.

Learning objectives

• Configure IPv4 static host routes (/32) and subnet routes (/24) on IOS (iol-xe).
• Demonstrate longest-prefix match where the /32 host route overrides the /24 for the same network.
• Verify forwarding decisions with show ip route and end-to-end traceroute from hosts.
• Troubleshoot overlapping static routes and return-path issues.

Troubleshooting focus

• A host cannot ping its local gateway: check the host IP, mask and default gateway, then show ip interface brief on its edge router — the LAN interface must match the plan and read up/up.
• traceroute -n stalls at the first hop: a static route points at the wrong next-hop, or at the router itself. It must name the neighbor on the connected link, and that address must be reachable out that interface.
• Ping fails even though the forward path looks right: the replies have no way back. Both edges and the core must hold a route to the source subnet or host.
• traceroute -n 10.30.30.10 from CLIENT-A01 leaves via 10.12.12.2 instead of 10.13.13.2: the /32 is on the wrong router or points to the wrong next-hop. It must resolve over the direct intersite link.
• The /32 is in show ip route but test traffic ignores it: check the host address for a typo. It must be exactly 10.30.30.10 on RTR-A-EDGE1 and 10.10.10.10 on RTR-B-EDGE1.