Which statement about static versus dynamic routing maintenance is most accurate?

• A. Static routing automatically adapts to topology changes.
• B. Static routing requires no maintenance.
• C. Dynamic routing is maintenance-heavy because it requires manual reconfiguration for changes.
• D. Static routing requires manual configuration and maintenance for changes, while dynamic routing adapts automatically.

Answer: (D)

Static routing relies on fixed, manually configured routes. If any link fails or the network topology changes, someone must update the router's configuration to reflect the new path. In contrast, dynamic routing uses protocols that automatically exchange topology information and recalculate best paths as the network evolves, so changes propagate without manual reconfiguration. This automatic adaptation is why the statement that static routing requires manual configuration and maintenance for changes, while dynamic routing adapts automatically, is the most accurate.

In other words, static routing offers simplicity and predictability but needs ongoing manual updates for topology changes, whereas dynamic routing handles changes on its own, reducing daily maintenance. The other ideas mix up these behaviors: static routing does not automatically adapt, static isn’t maintenance-free, and dynamic routing isn’t inherently maintenance-heavy because it eliminates the need for per-change reconfigurations.