Question 799 of 1,819
IP RoutingmediumMultiple SelectObjective-mapped

Configuring OSPFv3 for IPv6 Routing

This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of ip routing. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.

Which TWO statements accurately describe OSPFv3 configuration and verification for IPv6?

Quick Answer

The correct answer is that OSPFv3 for IPv6 routing is enabled on a per-interface basis using the `ipv6 ospf <process-id> area <area-id>` command, and it relies on IPv6 link-local addresses for neighbor discovery and next-hop addresses. Unlike OSPFv2, which uses a network statement under the router process, OSPFv3 shifts configuration to the interface level, making it more granular and aligned with IPv6’s link-local addressing model. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this distinction is a frequent trap: candidates often confuse OSPFv3 with OSPFv2 and try to apply a `network` command, which does not exist in OSPFv3. The exam tests your ability to recall that OSPFv3 uses the `ipv6 router ospf <process-id>` command only to enter router configuration mode, not to enable OSPF on interfaces. A helpful memory tip: think “interface-first” for OSPFv3—you enable the protocol on the interface, not the network.

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

OSPFv3 uses IPv6 link-local addresses for neighbor discovery and next-hop addresses.

Option A is correct because OSPFv3 uses IPv6 link-local addresses for neighbor discovery and next-hop addresses. Option C is correct because the 'ipv6 ospf <process-id> area <area-id>' interface command enables OSPFv3 on that interface. Option B is incorrect: OSPFv3 does not use the 'network' command; instead, it relies on interface-level configuration. Option D is incorrect: 'ipv6 router ospf <process-id>' is a global configuration command to enter OSPFv3 router configuration mode, not an interface command. Option E is incorrect: 'show ipv6 ospf neighbor' displays neighbor adjacencies, not the link-state database; use 'show ipv6 ospf database' for that.

Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

  • OSPFv3 uses IPv6 link-local addresses for neighbor discovery and next-hop addresses.

    Why this is correct

    In OSPFv3, routers form adjacencies using their IPv6 link-local addresses, and these addresses are used as next-hop addresses in routing updates.

    Related concept

    Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

  • The 'network' command under 'ipv6 router ospf' is used to advertise subnets into OSPFv3.

    Why it's wrong here

    OSPFv3 does not use the 'network' statement. Instead, OSPFv3 is enabled directly on interfaces using the 'ipv6 ospf <process-id> area <area-id>' command.

  • The 'ipv6 ospf <process-id> area <area-id>' command is used to enable OSPFv3 on an interface.

    Why this is correct

    This is the correct interface configuration command to enable OSPFv3, specifying the process ID and the area.

    Related concept

    Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

  • The 'ipv6 router ospf <process-id>' command is used on an interface to enable OSPFv3.

    Why it's wrong here

    The 'ipv6 router ospf <process-id>' command is a global configuration command that enters router configuration mode, not an interface command.

  • The 'show ipv6 ospf neighbor' command displays the OSPFv3 link-state database.

    Why it's wrong here

    The 'show ipv6 ospf neighbor' command displays neighbor states and adjacencies, not the link-state database. The LSDB is shown with 'show ipv6 ospf database'.

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.

OSPFv3 uses IPv6 link-local addresses for neighbor discovery and next-hop addresses.Correct answer

Why this is correct

In OSPFv3, routers form adjacencies using their IPv6 link-local addresses, and these addresses are used as next-hop addresses in routing updates.

The 'network' command under 'ipv6 router ospf' is used to advertise subnets into OSPFv3.Wrong answer — click to see why

Why this is wrong here

OSPFv3 does not use the 'network' command; instead, it is enabled directly on interfaces using the 'ipv6 ospf <process-id> area <area-id>' command. The 'network' command is used in OSPFv2 for IPv4.

Why candidates choose this

Students familiar with OSPFv2 may mistakenly think the 'network' command also applies to OSPFv3, but OSPFv3 uses a different configuration model.

The 'ipv6 router ospf <process-id>' command is used on an interface to enable OSPFv3.Wrong answer — click to see why

Why this is wrong here

The 'ipv6 router ospf <process-id>' command is a global configuration command that enters OSPFv3 router configuration mode, not an interface command. It does not enable OSPFv3 on an interface.

Why candidates choose this

The command name includes 'router ospf', which might lead students to think it is used on interfaces, but it is actually a global command.

The 'show ipv6 ospf neighbor' command displays the OSPFv3 link-state database.Wrong answer — click to see why

Why this is wrong here

The 'show ipv6 ospf neighbor' command displays OSPFv3 neighbor states and adjacencies, not the link-state database. The LSDB is shown with 'show ipv6 ospf database'.

Why candidates choose this

Students may confuse 'neighbor' with 'database' because both are OSPF show commands, but they serve different purposes.

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?”

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

Cisco often tests the misconception that OSPFv3 uses the same 'network' command as OSPFv2, when in fact OSPFv3 requires interface-level configuration with the 'ipv6 ospf <process-id> area <area-id>' command.

Trap categories for this question

  • Command / output trap

    OSPFv3 does not use the 'network' statement. Instead, OSPFv3 is enabled directly on interfaces using the 'ipv6 ospf <process-id> area <area-id>' command.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

OSPFv3, defined in RFC 5340, runs directly over IPv6 (protocol number 89) and uses link-local addresses for all neighbor relationships and next-hop calculations. Unlike OSPFv2, OSPFv3 does not require a 'network' statement; instead, it relies on interface-level activation, which automatically advertises the IPv6 prefix assigned to that interface. In multi-area designs, the link-local address ensures that routing updates are scoped to the local link, preventing address conflicts.

KKey Concepts to Remember

  • Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
  • Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
  • Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.

TExam Day Tips

  • Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
  • Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.

Key takeaway

Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.

Real-world example

How this comes up in practice

A network engineer at a university connects two campus buildings via a fibre link. Both routers run OSPF, but no adjacency forms — even though both routers can ping each other. The engineer finds one router is in area 0 and the other in area 1. OSPF adjacency requires matching area numbers, hello/dead timers, and network type. IP reachability alone is not enough.

Visual reference

R1 R2 R3 R4 10 100 10 100 OSPF picks R1→R2→R4 (cost 20) over R1→R3→R4 (cost 200)

Quick reference

Routing Protocol Comparison

ProtocolMetricMax HopsAlgorithmType
RIP v2Hop count15Bellman-FordDistance vector
OSPFCost (bandwidth)UnlimitedDijkstra (SPF)Link state
EIGRPComposite metricUnlimitedDUALHybrid
IS-ISCostUnlimitedDijkstraLink state
BGPPolicy / attributesUnlimitedPath vectorPath vector

RIP's 15-hop limit makes it unsuitable for large networks. OSPF and EIGRP dominate modern enterprise deployments.

What to study next

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this 200-301 question test?

IP Routing — This question tests IP Routing — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: OSPFv3 uses IPv6 link-local addresses for neighbor discovery and next-hop addresses. — Option A is correct because OSPFv3 uses IPv6 link-local addresses for neighbor discovery and next-hop addresses. Option C is correct because the 'ipv6 ospf <process-id> area <area-id>' interface command enables OSPFv3 on that interface. Option B is incorrect: OSPFv3 does not use the 'network' command; instead, it relies on interface-level configuration. Option D is incorrect: 'ipv6 router ospf <process-id>' is a global configuration command to enter OSPFv3 router configuration mode, not an interface command. Option E is incorrect: 'show ipv6 ospf neighbor' displays neighbor adjacencies, not the link-state database; use 'show ipv6 ospf database' for that.

What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?

Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026

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