What defines a floating static route?

A floating static route is characterized by being configured with a higher administrative distance than that of a dynamic routing protocol. This means that under normal operating conditions, the dynamic route will be preferred for routing traffic due to its lower administrative distance. However, if the dynamic route becomes unavailable – for instance, if the link goes down – the floating static route will then take effect because it is still an accessible path, albeit with a higher administrative distance. This allows network administrators to provide a backup route without disrupting the existing routing behavior under normal conditions. This concept is particularly useful for maintaining redundancy and ensuring ongoing connectivity without complicating the operational routing table when primary paths are functional.