Quick Answer
The answer is the global configuration command ipv6 unicast-routing. This command enables IPv6 forwarding on a Cisco router by activating the IPv6 routing process, allowing the router to forward IPv6 packets between interfaces. Without it, the router will not perform IPv6 routing, even if IPv6 addresses are configured on interfaces. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this command tests your understanding of the distinction between global and interface-level IPv6 configuration—a common trap is confusing ipv6 unicast-routing with ipv6 enable, which only activates IPv6 on a specific interface, not the entire router. The exam often presents distractors like ip routing ipv6 or ipv6 route enable, which are invalid in Cisco IOS. To remember, think of the command as telling the router to "route unicast IPv6 traffic globally," not just enable it on a port.
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: the global command ipv6 unicast-routing enables IPv6 packet forwarding and activates the IPv6 routing table on Cisco routers.. 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 command enables IPv6 routing on a Cisco router?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "which command"
Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
ipv6 unicast-routing
Correct. This is the required global command.
ipv6 enable
Why wrong: ipv6 enable is used at the interface level to enable IPv6 processing, not global routing.
ip routing ipv6
Why wrong: This is not valid Cisco IOS syntax.
ipv6 route enable
Why wrong: This is not a valid IOS command.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
ipv6 unicast-routing
The global configuration command 'ipv6 unicast-routing' enables IPv6 forwarding on a Cisco router. 'ipv6 enable' is an interface-level command used to enable IPv6 on a specific interface, not globally. 'ip routing ipv6' and 'ipv6 route enable' are syntactically invalid commands that do not exist in Cisco IOS.
Key principle: The global command ipv6 unicast-routing enables IPv6 packet forwarding and activates the IPv6 routing table on Cisco routers.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
ipv6 unicast-routing
Why this is correct
Correct. This is the required global command.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
The global command ipv6 unicast-routing enables IPv6 packet forwarding and activates the IPv6 routing table on Cisco routers.
ipv6 enable
Why it's wrong here
ipv6 enable is used at the interface level to enable IPv6 processing, not global routing.
When this WOULD be correct
In a scenario where the question asks for a command to enable IPv6 on an interface, such as 'Which command would you use to enable IPv6 on a specific interface?', 'ipv6 enable' would be the correct answer.
ip routing ipv6
Why it's wrong here
This is not valid Cisco IOS syntax.
When this WOULD be correct
If the exam question asked for a command related to configuring IPv6 routing protocols or managing IPv6 routes, 'ip routing ipv6' could be interpreted as a command for enabling IPv6 routing in that context, especially if it was framed around routing protocol configurations.
ipv6 route enable
Why it's wrong here
This is not a valid IOS command.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario, if the question were about enabling a specific IPv6 routing protocol or feature that uses a command similar to 'ipv6 route enable', this option could be correct. For example, if the question asked about enabling a specific routing protocol that requires a similar command structure, it could be valid.
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. This is the required global command.
Why this is wrong here
The 'ipv6 enable' command is used at the interface level to enable IPv6 processing on that specific interface, not to enable global IPv6 routing. Without 'ipv6 unicast-routing', the router will not forward IPv6 packets between interfaces even if IPv6 is enabled on them.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a scenario where the question asks for a command to enable IPv6 on an interface, such as 'Which command would you use to enable IPv6 on a specific interface?', 'ipv6 enable' would be the correct answer.
Why candidates choose this
Students often confuse 'ipv6 enable' with enabling IPv6 routing because the command name suggests enabling IPv6. However, it only configures IPv6 on an interface, not the routing process.
Why this is wrong here
The command 'ip routing ipv6' is not valid Cisco IOS syntax. The correct command to enable IPv4 routing is 'ip routing', and for IPv6 it is 'ipv6 unicast-routing'. Mixing the syntax leads to a syntax error.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the exam question asked for a command related to configuring IPv6 routing protocols or managing IPv6 routes, 'ip routing ipv6' could be interpreted as a command for enabling IPv6 routing in that context, especially if it was framed around routing protocol configurations.
Why candidates choose this
Test-takers might guess this command because it resembles 'ip routing' for IPv4, assuming a similar pattern for IPv6. However, Cisco uses a different keyword structure for IPv6.
Why this is wrong here
'ipv6 route enable' is not a valid Cisco IOS command. The correct command to enable IPv6 routing is 'ipv6 unicast-routing'. This incorrect option may be confused with static route configuration using 'ipv6 route'.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario, if the question were about enabling a specific IPv6 routing protocol or feature that uses a command similar to 'ipv6 route enable', this option could be correct. For example, if the question asked about enabling a specific routing protocol that requires a similar command structure, it could be valid.
Why candidates choose this
The phrase 'route enable' sounds like it would enable routing, and 'ipv6 route' is a valid command for static routes, so students might incorrectly assume this command enables the routing process.
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
Be careful not to confuse interface-specific commands with global routing commands. Remember that enabling IPv6 globally requires a specific command.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
This is not a valid IOS command.
Detailed technical explanation
IPv6 routing is essential for forwarding IPv6 packets between different networks on a Cisco router. Unlike IPv4, IPv6 requires explicit enabling of routing at the global configuration level to activate the router's capability to forward IPv6 unicast packets. The command ipv6 unicast-routing is the global configuration command that enables this functionality, allowing the router to participate in IPv6 routing protocols and forward IPv6 traffic appropriately. The decision to use ipv6 unicast-routing is based on Cisco IOS design, where IPv6 routing is disabled by default to prevent unintended routing behavior. Enabling this command activates the IPv6 routing table and allows routing protocols such as OSPFv3 or EIGRP for IPv6 to operate. Interface-level commands like ipv6 enable only activate IPv6 processing on interfaces but do not enable routing between interfaces. Therefore, without ipv6 unicast-routing, the router will not forward IPv6 packets between interfaces. A common exam trap is confusing the interface-level command ipv6 enable with the global command ipv6 unicast-routing. While ipv6 enable activates IPv6 on an interface, it does not enable routing between interfaces. Another trap is selecting invalid commands like ip routing ipv6 or ipv6 route enable, which do not exist in Cisco IOS. Practically, enabling ipv6 unicast-routing is the first step in configuring IPv6 routing on Cisco routers, ensuring proper packet forwarding and routing protocol operation.
Key takeaway
The global command ipv6 unicast-routing enables IPv6 packet forwarding and activates the IPv6 routing table on Cisco routers.
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. The global command ipv6 unicast-routing enables IPv6 packet forwarding and activates the IPv6 routing table on Cisco routers. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Review the global command ipv6 unicast-routing enables IPv6 packet forwarding and activates the IPv6 routing table on Cisco routers., 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 — The global command ipv6 unicast-routing enables IPv6 packet forwarding and activates the IPv6 routing table on Cisco routers..
The correct answer is: ipv6 unicast-routing — The global configuration command 'ipv6 unicast-routing' enables IPv6 forwarding on a Cisco router. 'ipv6 enable' is an interface-level command used to enable IPv6 on a specific interface, not globally. 'ip routing ipv6' and 'ipv6 route enable' are syntactically invalid commands that do not exist in Cisco IOS.
Review the global command ipv6 unicast-routing enables IPv6 packet forwarding and activates the IPv6 routing table on Cisco routers., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Yes — watch for: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
The global command ipv6 unicast-routing enables IPv6 packet forwarding and activates the IPv6 routing table on Cisco routers.
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Last reviewed: Apr 12, 2026
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