Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Practice Exam

In VRRP, what is the term for the router that is the primary routing device?

1. Virtual router backup

2. Virtual router master

3. Active router

4. Primary router

The correct answer is: Virtual router master

In VRRP (Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol), the term used to describe the primary routing device is "Virtual router master." This designation signifies that the virtual router master is responsible for forwarding packets and maintaining the VIP (Virtual IP) address that devices on the network use to route traffic. The role of the virtual router master is crucial for high availability; it ensures that there is always an active routing device available to handle network traffic. When the virtual router master is operational, it listens for VRRP advertisements to confirm its status as the master. If the master fails, another router in the VRRP configuration can take over the role, thereby minimizing downtime and ensuring continuous connectivity. The other terms might describe different aspects of a network setup or redundancy protocols but do not accurately define the primary routing device in the context of VRRP. The distinctions between those roles are significant for understanding how redundancy is implemented within a network topology.