CCNA Network Infrastructure and Connectivity Practice Question
Which TWO statements correctly describe IPv4 and IPv6 host configuration?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the misconception that EUI-64 generates the network prefix of an IPv6 address, when in fact it generates only the interface identifier (host portion), while the network prefix is assigned via SLAAC, DHCPv6, or manual configuration.
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
✓
APIPA assigns an IPv4 address in the 169.254.0.0/16 range when a DHCP server is unavailable.
APIPA (Automatic Private IP Addressing) automatically assigns an IPv4 address from the 169.254.0.0/16 range when a DHCP server is unavailable, enabling local subnet communication without manual configuration. Option E is correct because the ipconfig command on Windows displays both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses, subnet masks, default gateways, and DNS servers. Option B is incorrect because while IPv6 link-local addresses start with FE80::/10, they are not always assigned using EUI-64; they can also be randomly generated (privacy extensions) or manually configured. Option C is incorrect because EUI-64 generates the interface identifier (host portion) of an IPv6 address from the MAC address, not the network prefix — the prefix is provided via SLAAC, DHCPv6, or manual configuration. Option D is incorrect because a host can have multiple default gateways configured for redundancy, though only one is active at a time per routing table; additionally, IPv4 and IPv6 default gateways are independent and can coexist.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
APIPA assigns an IPv4 address in the 169.254.0.0/16 range when a DHCP server is unavailable.
Why this is correct
APIPA is a fallback mechanism in IPv4 used by Windows hosts when a DHCP server cannot be reached after a timeout. It automatically configures an interface address from the 169.254.0.0/16 range with a /16 subnet mask, enabling local communication on that subnet only. Because APIPA addresses are not routable, no default gateway is assigned, so internet access is unavailable until DHCP succeeds.
- ✗
IPv6 link-local addresses are always assigned using EUI-64 and start with FE80::/10.
Why it's wrong here
While it is true that IPv6 link-local addresses always belong to the FE80::/10 prefix, the statement incorrectly claims they must be generated via EUI-64. Link-local addresses can also be randomly generated per RFC 4941 privacy extensions, derived from a stable secret, or explicitly configured by an administrator. EUI-64 uses a 48-bit MAC address to form a 64-bit interface identifier, but it is only one of several valid methods for constructing link-local addresses.
- ✗
EUI-64 is used to generate the network prefix of an IPv6 address from the interface's MAC address.
Why it's wrong here
EUI-64 is actually used to create the interface identifier (the low-order 64 bits) of an IPv6 unicast address, not its network prefix. The network prefix is the high-order 64 bits, typically assigned by a router through SLAAC, DHCPv6, or manual configuration. EUI-64 inserts the MAC address—with FFFE inserted and the U/L bit flipped—into the host portion, so claiming it generates the network prefix reverses the two parts of the address.
- ✗
A host can have only one default gateway configured at a time for both IPv4 and IPv6.
Why it's wrong here
A host can be configured with multiple default gateways at the same time for either IPv4 or IPv6. Windows stores them in the routing table and selects the active one based on interface metric and administrative distance, with automatic failover when the primary gateway becomes unreachable. IPv4 and IPv6 also use separate routing tables and separate gateway lists, so a host may hold several gateways for each protocol simultaneously.
- ✓
The ipconfig command on Windows can display both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses, subnet masks, default gateways, and DNS servers.
Why this is correct
The ipconfig command is a Windows networking utility that, when run with the /all switch, displays the full TCP/IP configuration. It reports both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses, subnet masks, default gateways, DNS servers, and additional details like MAC addresses and DHCP lease information. This makes ipconfig a primary first-line tool for verifying whether APIPA, static addressing, or DHCP successfully assigned an address.
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.
✓APIPA assigns an IPv4 address in the 169.254.0.0/16 range when a DHCP server is unavailable.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
APIPA is a fallback mechanism in IPv4 used by Windows hosts when a DHCP server cannot be reached after a timeout. It automatically configures an interface address from the 169.254.0.0/16 range with a /16 subnet mask, enabling local communication on that subnet only. Because APIPA addresses are not routable, no default gateway is assigned, so internet access is unavailable until DHCP succeeds.
✗IPv6 link-local addresses are always assigned using EUI-64 and start with FE80::/10.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The statement incorrectly claims that link-local addresses are always assigned using EUI-64.
✗EUI-64 is used to generate the network prefix of an IPv6 address from the interface's MAC address.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The statement confuses the role of EUI-64; it creates the interface ID, not the network prefix.
✗A host can have only one default gateway configured at a time for both IPv4 and IPv6.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The statement is too restrictive; multiple default gateways can be configured, especially in multi-homed hosts.
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?”
Visual reference
Quick reference
Access Control Model Comparison
| Model | Acronym | Who Controls Access? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discretionary Access Control | DAC | Resource owner | Small teams, file shares |
| Mandatory Access Control | MAC | System / security labels | Classified govt / military |
| Role-Based Access Control | RBAC | Administrator (via roles) | Enterprise environments |
| Attribute-Based Access Control | ABAC | Policy engine (user + resource attributes) | Fine-grained, dynamic policies |
| Rule-Based Access Control | RuBAC | System rules / ACLs | Firewall rules, network ACLs |
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
IPv4 Addressing and Address Classes
Key term
DHCP server
A DHCP server is a network device or service that automatically assigns IP addresses and other network configuration parameters to devices on a network, eliminating the need for manual configuration.
Key term
IPv4 address
An IPv4 address is a unique 32-bit numerical label assigned to each device connected to a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication.
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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.