This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of network infrastructure and connectivity. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. A key principle to apply: sLAAC enables IPv6 hosts to autonomously configure their addresses by using network prefix information advertised in ICMPv6 Router Advertisements.. 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.
What does a host rely on when using SLAAC to build an IPv6 address?
Only a DNS reply
Why wrong: DNS does not provide the Layer 3 prefix needed for SLAAC.
A Router Advertisement containing the network prefix
Correct. Router Advertisements are central to SLAAC.
An ARP reply from the default gateway
Why wrong: ARP is an IPv4 mechanism and not used in IPv6 the same way.
A VTP summary advertisement
Why wrong: VTP has nothing to do with IPv6 host addressing.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
A Router Advertisement containing the network prefix
With Stateless Address Autoconfiguration, hosts learn the prefix information from ICMPv6 Router Advertisements and then build their own interface identifier.
Key principle: SLAAC enables IPv6 hosts to autonomously configure their addresses by using network prefix information advertised in ICMPv6 Router Advertisements.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Only a DNS reply
When this WOULD be correct
If the question were about how a host resolves a domain name to an IPv6 address, then 'Only a DNS reply' could be correct. In that context, the question would focus on the role of DNS in IPv6 address resolution rather than address configuration.
A Router Advertisement containing the network prefix
An ARP reply from the default gateway
Why it's wrong here
ARP is an IPv4 mechanism and not used in IPv6 the same way.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different question context, if the question asked about how a host resolves the link-layer address of another device on the same local network, then an ARP reply from the default gateway would be the correct answer, as ARP is used for mapping IP addresses to MAC addresses.
A VTP summary advertisement
Why it's wrong here
VTP has nothing to do with IPv6 host addressing.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question were about the role of VTP in a network configuration scenario, such as asking what protocol is used to propagate VLAN information across switches, then option D would be correct as it directly pertains to VTP's function.
Option-by-option analysis
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.
Why this is correct
Correct. Router Advertisements are central to SLAAC.
Why this is wrong here
This option is incorrect because SLAAC (Stateless Address Autoconfiguration) relies on Router Advertisements to obtain the network prefix, not DNS replies. DNS is used for name resolution, not for address configuration.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question were about how a host resolves a domain name to an IPv6 address, then 'Only a DNS reply' could be correct. In that context, the question would focus on the role of DNS in IPv6 address resolution rather than address configuration.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may choose this option due to a misunderstanding of how IPv6 address configuration works, conflating the roles of DNS in network communication with the address assignment process.
Why this is wrong here
This option is wrong because SLAAC (Stateless Address Autoconfiguration) does not rely on ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) for address configuration; instead, it uses Router Advertisements to obtain the necessary network prefix.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different question context, if the question asked about how a host resolves the link-layer address of another device on the same local network, then an ARP reply from the default gateway would be the correct answer, as ARP is used for mapping IP addresses to MAC addresses.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may find this option tempting because they might confuse SLAAC with the need for address resolution, leading them to think that ARP is involved in the IPv6 address configuration process.
Why this is wrong here
A VTP summary advertisement is related to VLAN Trunking Protocol and is used for managing VLAN configurations, not for building IPv6 addresses. SLAAC relies on Router Advertisements for address configuration, making this option irrelevant.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question were about the role of VTP in a network configuration scenario, such as asking what protocol is used to propagate VLAN information across switches, then option D would be correct as it directly pertains to VTP's function.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse VTP with other network protocols and mistakenly associate it with address configuration processes, leading them to select this option due to a lack of clarity on the specific roles of different networking protocols.
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
A frequent exam trap is assuming that SLAAC depends on DHCP or ARP replies to configure IPv6 addresses. Many candidates mistakenly believe that DHCPv6 or DNS responses provide the necessary prefix information, or that ARP functions similarly in IPv6 as in IPv4. However, SLAAC relies exclusively on ICMPv6 Router Advertisements to deliver network prefix information. Misunderstanding this can lead to incorrect answers, especially when options mention DHCP, DNS, or ARP. Recognizing that Router Advertisements are the sole source of prefix data in SLAAC is essential to avoid this pitfall.
Detailed technical explanation
Stateless Address Autoconfiguration (SLAAC) is a fundamental IPv6 feature that allows hosts to self-configure their IP addresses without requiring a DHCP server. The core mechanism involves the host listening for ICMPv6 Router Advertisements (RAs) sent periodically or in response to Router Solicitations. These RAs contain the network prefix and configuration flags that inform the host how to construct its IPv6 address and whether to use additional configuration methods. When a host receives a Router Advertisement, it extracts the advertised network prefix and appends its own interface identifier, typically derived from the MAC address or generated randomly, to form a full IPv6 address. This process eliminates the need for manual configuration or DHCPv6 in many scenarios. Cisco devices and hosts rely on these RAs to ensure proper network prefix assignment and reachability within the IPv6 subnet. A common exam trap is confusing SLAAC with DHCPv6 or IPv4 mechanisms like ARP. Unlike DHCPv6, SLAAC does not require a server to assign addresses; instead, it depends solely on Router Advertisements. Additionally, ARP is not used in IPv6 for address resolution, so expecting an ARP reply for SLAAC is incorrect. Understanding this distinction is crucial for CCNA candidates to avoid misinterpreting how IPv6 addressing works in Cisco environments.
Key takeaway
SLAAC enables IPv6 hosts to autonomously configure their addresses by using network prefix information advertised in ICMPv6 Router Advertisements.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the 200-301 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. SLAAC enables IPv6 hosts to autonomously configure their addresses by using network prefix information advertised in ICMPv6 Router Advertisements. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Review sLAAC enables IPv6 hosts to autonomously configure their addresses by using network prefix information advertised in ICMPv6 Router Advertisements., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
Network Infrastructure and Connectivity — This question tests Network Infrastructure and Connectivity — SLAAC enables IPv6 hosts to autonomously configure their addresses by using network prefix information advertised in ICMPv6 Router Advertisements..
The correct answer is: A Router Advertisement containing the network prefix — With Stateless Address Autoconfiguration, hosts learn the prefix information from ICMPv6 Router Advertisements and then build their own interface identifier.
Review sLAAC enables IPv6 hosts to autonomously configure their addresses by using network prefix information advertised in ICMPv6 Router Advertisements., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
SLAAC enables IPv6 hosts to autonomously configure their addresses by using network prefix information advertised in ICMPv6 Router Advertisements.
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Last reviewed: May 17, 2026
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