Hands-on CCNA static routing lab: build a small hub-and-spoke with two stub routers and a hub router. Configure default routes on the spokes and specific static routes on the hub so two user LANs reach each other end-to-end. Validate from real hosts and practice first-hop and return-path troubleshooting.
Start here — freeStatic & Default Routing
Ten hands-on static-routing labs — directly-connected/recursive next-hops, default and floating static routes, IPv6 statics, and path verification.
Topics
What you'll learn
- Configure default routes on stub routers toward a hub to reach all non-local networks
- Configure specific static routes on a hub router for remote LANs
- Select correct next-hop IPs and masks for static routes
- Verify routing tables and end-to-end reachability using client-originated tests
- Troubleshoot first-hop and return-path failures using interface status and traceroute
- Deploy a default static route on a branch edge router toward an upstream next-hop
- Understand how the gateway of last resort is selected and represented as S* in the routing table
- Configure a specific return static route on the upstream router back to the branch LAN
Included labs
Configure a default route on a branch edge router and a return static route on an upstream core router to enable full bidirectional connectivity between a stub branch LAN and a core server LAN. Verify the S* default route, gateway of last resort, and end-to-end reachability from real hosts. Troubleshoot missing default or return paths.
View lab detailsHands-on CCNA static routing and manual summarization lab using a compact HQ–Branch–Remote topology. You will replace three specific static routes to Branch networks with a single /22 summary at HQ, verify end-to-end host reachability, observe the routing table reduction, and prevent over-aggregation loops by adding a Null0 discard route at Branch. A recommended step has you add the same /22 summary at Remote (replacing its default) to practice summarization on both sides.
View lab detailsDeploy primary static routes between two branch LANs via a hub router and add a higher-AD floating static for a direct inter-branch backup. Verify end-to-end reachability, simulate a hub outage to trigger automatic failover, then restore the primary path. Includes realistic addressing, unique /30 transits, and host-based verification.
View lab detailsBuild 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.
View lab detailsHands-on IPv6 static and default routing across a 3-router, 2-LAN topology with end-user hosts. You will enable IPv6 unicast routing, apply IPv6 addressing, configure hub-and-spoke static and default routes, and validate bidirectional host reachability. The guide provides scenario context, step-by-step tasks with the why behind each action, and targeted troubleshooting.
View lab detailsDeploy 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.
View lab detailsDesign and implement a 3-router full-mesh with two edge LANs using static IPv4 routes only. Edges use primary defaults toward the core plus floating (higher AD) backup defaults; the core uses specific routes for the edge LANs. Validate bidirectional reachability, path choice, and failover behaviors from real hosts.
View lab detailsBuild a 3-router triangle with two branch LANs and real Alpine clients. Deploy primary static routes via the hub and floating backup statics over a direct branch-to-branch link. Verify reachability, path selection, and failover by simulating a hub outage.
View lab detailsHands-on CCNA static routing troubleshooting in a realistic three-router core/edge topology with two user LANs. Static routing on the network was recently changed and users at SITE-A (10.10.10.10) and SITE-B (10.30.30.10) can no longer reach each other; you will investigate the routers' route tables and next-hop reachability to diagnose and restore full bidirectional connectivity.
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Frequently asked questions
What's included in the Static & Default Routing bundle?
10 hands-on, auto-graded CCNA labs spanning 16 topics — each one a real Cisco Modeling Labs scenario you build on Cisco IOS.
Can I buy this bundle?
No — a subscription is the only plan we sell, and it includes every lab in this bundle for as long as it's active. Anyone who bought this bundle previously keeps it: every lab stays downloadable and gradable, permanently.
Do I need my own Cisco CML to run these labs?
Yes — each lab is a Cisco Modeling Labs (CML) topology you import and build on real Cisco IOS, and the CML free tier is enough. You download the topology and lab guide, then build it yourself.
How does the grading work?
Every lab ships as a problem to solve. You build it in CML, then submit your config to grade it against the answer key — you get a pass/fail on each objective, so you know exactly what's right and what to fix instead of guessing.
Which certification is this bundle for?
CCNA. The labs are sequenced to build the hands-on configuration and troubleshooting skills CCNA candidates are expected to demonstrate on real gear.