Floating static routes are a Cisco mechanism that allow you to
specify a backup route to use if the primary path dies. These
backup routes are fixed in that you specify the route the packets
are to take. The key is to specify the "administrative distance"
appropriately. This parameter is used by the Cisco router to determine
which path is preferable. Routes with a lower "distance"
are preferred over one with a higher value. By selecting a "distance"
value that is higher than the "distance" value used
by normal routing protocols, you can have a static route available
as a backup in case your normal routing protocol (or link) fails.
This feature is most often used in a dial-backup operation, but
may be used in other scenarios as well.
Copyright © Chesapeake 1997