CCNA Network Infrastructure and Connectivity Practice Question
A router interface is configured with the prefix 2001:db8:acad:12::/64 and uses EUI-64 to build the interface ID. What is the main purpose of EUI-64 in this context?
⚠ Common exam trap
Remember, EUI-64 is about address generation, not routing or network configuration. Focus on its role in forming the interface ID.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
It automatically creates the interface ID portion of the IPv6 address from the MAC address.
EUI-64 is used to automatically generate the interface identifier portion of the IPv6 address from the underlying MAC address. In practical terms, the /64 prefix provides the network portion, and EUI-64 helps derive the lower 64 bits without the administrator manually typing a full host portion. This can make addressing easier in environments where automatic formation is desired. The important idea is that EUI-64 affects the interface ID, not the prefix length or the routing behavior of the network. It is an address-construction method, not a routing protocol.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
It automatically creates the interface ID portion of the IPv6 address from the MAC address.
Why this is correct
EUI-64 is the interface ID generation method used when a router interface has no explicit 64-bit host portion configured. The 48-bit MAC address is split, the hex value FFFE is inserted between the OUI and the serial number, and the universal/local bit is flipped to form the 64-bit interface identifier. This automatically completes the IPv6 address and is why the statement is correct.
- ✗
It changes the /64 prefix into a /48 prefix for summarization.
Why it's wrong here
EUI-64 operates exclusively on the interface ID (the low-order 64 bits) of the IPv6 address; it has no mechanism to alter the network prefix or its length. The /64 is the subnet prefix and is configured independently by the network administrator, often for routing and summarization planning. Changing a /64 to a /48 would require a separate renumbering or aggregation configuration, not an automatic process, making this option incorrect.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different question, if it asked about IPv6 address summarization techniques, and it provided a scenario where a network administrator needs to summarize multiple /64 prefixes into a single /48 prefix for routing efficiency, then this option would be correct.
- ✗
It replaces the need for a link-local address.
Why it's wrong here
Every IPv6 interface is required to have a link-local address (fe80::/10) for Neighbor Discovery, duplicate address detection, and many routing protocol operations such as OSPFv3. EUI-64 can be used to generate the interface ID for a link-local address, but it in no way removes the need for that address. Even when a global unicast address is configured, the link-local address remains active and essential, so this option is false.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different question setup, if the question asked about a technology that eliminates the need for link-local addresses in specific scenarios, such as a proprietary protocol that uses a different addressing scheme, then this option could be correct.
- ✗
It encrypts IPv6 traffic between neighbors.
Why it's wrong here
EUI-64 is purely a deterministic method for generating a 64-bit interface identifier from a MAC address, involving bit manipulation and insertion of FFFE. It performs no cryptographic operations and provides no confidentiality or integrity for transmitted data. IPv6 traffic encryption is handled by IPsec (AH or ESP headers), which is a separate security framework unrelated to address assignment, thus this option is incorrect.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different question that asks about the security features of IPv6 protocols, if it specifically inquires about methods to secure communications between neighboring devices, then the option could be correct if discussing encryption mechanisms like IPsec, which can be used in conjunction with IPv6.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The 200-301 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓It automatically creates the interface ID portion of the IPv6 address from the MAC address.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
EUI-64 is the interface ID generation method used when a router interface has no explicit 64-bit host portion configured. The 48-bit MAC address is split, the hex value FFFE is inserted between the OUI and the serial number, and the universal/local bit is flipped to form the 64-bit interface identifier. This automatically completes the IPv6 address and is why the statement is correct.
✗It changes the /64 prefix into a /48 prefix for summarization.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This option is incorrect because EUI-64 does not change the prefix length of an IPv6 address; it is used solely for generating the interface ID from a MAC address within the existing prefix.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different question, if it asked about IPv6 address summarization techniques, and it provided a scenario where a network administrator needs to summarize multiple /64 prefixes into a single /48 prefix for routing efficiency, then this option would be correct.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may choose this option due to confusion about IPv6 prefix lengths and summarization concepts, leading them to incorrectly associate EUI-64 with prefix manipulation instead of its actual function in interface ID generation.
✗It replaces the need for a link-local address.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This option is incorrect because EUI-64 does not replace the need for a link-local address; link-local addresses are essential for local network communication in IPv6, regardless of how the global address is generated.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different question setup, if the question asked about a technology that eliminates the need for link-local addresses in specific scenarios, such as a proprietary protocol that uses a different addressing scheme, then this option could be correct.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may choose this option due to a misunderstanding of IPv6 addressing concepts, believing that EUI-64's role in generating global addresses might also extend to eliminating the necessity for link-local addresses.
✗It encrypts IPv6 traffic between neighbors.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This option is wrong because EUI-64 does not encrypt IPv6 traffic; it is used to generate the interface ID from the MAC address, which is unrelated to encryption processes.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different question that asks about the security features of IPv6 protocols, if it specifically inquires about methods to secure communications between neighboring devices, then the option could be correct if discussing encryption mechanisms like IPsec, which can be used in conjunction with IPv6.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may choose this option due to a misunderstanding of IPv6 security features, confusing the role of EUI-64 with the need for secure communication methods, leading them to associate it with encryption.
Analysis generated from the official 200-301blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Quick reference
Routing Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Metric | Max Hops | Algorithm | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIP v2 | Hop count | 15 | Bellman-Ford | Distance vector |
| OSPF | Cost (bandwidth) | Unlimited | Dijkstra (SPF) | Link state |
| EIGRP | Composite metric | Unlimited | DUAL | Hybrid |
| IS-IS | Cost | Unlimited | Dijkstra | Link state |
| BGP | Policy / attributes | Unlimited | Path vector | Path vector |
RIP's 15-hop limit makes it unsuitable for large networks. OSPF and EIGRP dominate modern enterprise deployments.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
IPv4 Addressing and Address Classes
Key term
MAC
MAC (Media Access Control) is a unique hardware identifier assigned to network interfaces for communication on a local network segment.
Key term
OSPF
OSPF is a link-state routing protocol used to find the best path for data packets to travel across IP networks, like a smart GPS that recalculates routes when traffic changes.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 200-301 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-301 exam.