# How to configure Administrative Distance

**URL:** <https://forum.networklessons.com/t/how-to-configure-administrative-distance/949>\
**Category:** Lessons Discussion\
**Created:** [December 24, 2016, 6:30pm UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/how-to-configure-administrative-distance/949 "2016-12-24T18:30:16Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![roi9098](https://cdn-forum.networklessons.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/5daacb/32.png) [@roi9098](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/roi9098)\
**Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 7:29am UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/how-to-configure-administrative-distance/949/43 "2024-05-02T07:29:28Z")

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Thanks for the explanation!

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**Author:** ![mustaphaazoug122](https://cdn-forum.networklessons.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/7ea924/32.png) [@mustaphaazoug122](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/mustaphaazoug122)\
**Post date:** [December 25, 2024, 8:48pm UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/how-to-configure-administrative-distance/949/44 "2024-12-25T20:48:38Z")

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in which scenario do we need to change the AD for certain routes?

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**Author:** ![lagapidis](https://cdn-forum.networklessons.com/user_avatar/forum.networklessons.com/lagapidis/32/4949_2.png) [@lagapidis](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/lagapidis)\
**Post date:** [December 29, 2024, 3:20pm UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/how-to-configure-administrative-distance/949/45 "2024-12-29T15:20:15Z")

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Hello Thiziri

Administrative Distance is a value that should not be changed in most circumstances. These values have been defined by engineers to be ideal for most scenarios. However, there are cases where you may want to change the AD in order to achieve a particular routing behavior.

Some cases where you would change the AD include:

1. Route Redistribution: If you are redistributing routes from one routing protocol into another, you may want to manipulate the AD to control which routes are preferred.
2. Backup Routes: If you want to create a backup route that is only used when the primary route fails, you can manipulate the AD to make the backup route less desirable under normal circumstances. This is the case when you configure a [Floating Static Route](https://networklessons.com/cisco/ccna-routing-switching-icnd1-100-105/floating-static-route).
3. Routing Protocol Preference: If you’re using multiple routing protocols and want to prefer routes learned from one protocol over another in a different way from the default, you can adjust the AD accordingly.

These are just some of the cases where you can manipulate the administrative distance. Keep in mind that these cases are very specialized and would be applied in somewhat complex network deployments.

I hope this has been helpful!

Laz

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