Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
Which statement best compares a MAC address and an IP address?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Best answer
A MAC address is a local Layer 2 identifier, while an IP address is a Layer 3 logical address used across networks.
This is correct because it captures the role difference between MAC and IP addressing.
B
Distractor review
A MAC address is used only by routers, while an IP address is used only by switches.
This is wrong because it reverses and oversimplifies the actual roles.
C
Distractor review
MAC and IP addresses are interchangeable in routed networks.
This is wrong because they serve different layers and purposes.
D
Distractor review
IP addresses are used only inside one Ethernet broadcast domain.
This is wrong because IP addresses are used across routed networks.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common exam trap is to confuse the scope and function of MAC and IP addresses. Some candidates mistakenly believe MAC addresses are used by routers or that IP addresses only function within a single Ethernet broadcast domain. This misunderstanding arises because MAC addresses are physical and local, while IP addresses are logical and global. The trap lies in reversing these roles or assuming they are interchangeable, which leads to incorrect answers. Recognizing that MAC addresses operate at Layer 2 for local delivery and IP addresses operate at Layer 3 for routing is essential to avoid this pitfall.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
A MAC (Media Access Control) address is a unique hardware identifier assigned to a network interface card (NIC) and operates at Layer 2 (Data Link layer) of the OSI model. It is used for local frame delivery within the same broadcast domain or Ethernet segment. MAC addresses are fixed and burned into the device hardware, enabling switches to forward frames based on MAC address tables. An IP (Internet Protocol) address operates at Layer 3 (Network layer) and serves as a logical identifier for devices across different networks. IP addresses enable routing of packets between distinct networks using routers. Unlike MAC addresses, IP addresses can be assigned dynamically or statically and are hierarchical, allowing for efficient routing and subnetting. The exam trap often confuses candidates by mixing the roles of MAC and IP addresses, such as suggesting MAC addresses are used by routers or that IP addresses are limited to a single broadcast domain. In practice, switches use MAC addresses for local forwarding, while routers use IP addresses to route traffic between networks. Understanding this distinction is critical for correctly answering CCNA questions on addressing and routing.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- A MAC address uniquely identifies a device's network interface at Layer 2 and is used for local frame forwarding within the same broadcast domain.
- An IP address is a Layer 3 logical address that routers use to route packets between different networks across the internet or intranets.
- Switches build MAC address tables to forward frames based on MAC addresses, enabling efficient local traffic delivery without routing.
- Routers use IP addresses to make forwarding decisions, enabling communication between separate IP subnets and different network segments.
- MAC addresses are fixed and assigned by hardware manufacturers, while IP addresses can be assigned dynamically or statically by network administrators.
- MAC addresses operate only within a local Layer 2 broadcast domain, whereas IP addresses function across multiple Layer 3 routed networks.
- Confusing MAC addresses with IP addresses can lead to incorrect assumptions about device roles and network traffic flow in Cisco environments.
- Understanding the distinction between Layer 2 MAC addressing and Layer 3 IP addressing is fundamental for mastering routing, switching, and subnetting concepts.
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.
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More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A router learns the same prefix from both OSPF and EIGRP. Which route is installed by default?
Question 2
A router shows this output: R1#show ip ospf neighbor Neighbor ID Pri State Dead Time Address Interface 10.1.1.2 1 FULL/DR 00:00:34 192.168.12.2 GigabitEthernet0/0 10.1.1.3 1 2WAY/DROTHER 00:00:39 192.168.12.3 GigabitEthernet0/0 Which statement is correct?
Question 3
What is the OSPF metric called?
Question 4
A non-root switch has two uplinks toward the root bridge. One path has a lower total STP cost than the other. What role will the lower-cost uplink have?
Question 5
A router interface applies this ACL inbound: 10 deny tcp any any eq 80 20 permit ip any any A user reports that web browsing to a server by IP address fails, but ping works. Which statement best explains the behavior?
Question 6
A router learns route 198.51.100.0/24 from OSPF with AD 110 and also has a static route to the same prefix configured with AD 150. Which route is installed?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
A MAC address uniquely identifies a device's network interface at Layer 2 and is used for local frame forwarding within the same broadcast domain.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: A MAC address is a local Layer 2 identifier, while an IP address is a Layer 3 logical address used across networks. — A MAC address is primarily a local Layer 2 identifier used for frame delivery on the immediate segment, while an IP address is a Layer 3 logical address used for routed communication across networks. In practical terms, switches make frame-forwarding decisions using MAC information locally, while routers forward packets based on IP information between networks. This is one of the most fundamental distinctions in networking. The exam often tests whether you can separate local data-link identity from routed network-layer identity.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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