Which statement best describes a global unicast IPv6 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.
Best answer
It is the normal IPv6 address type used for routed communication across networks.
This is correct because global unicast addresses are used for wider routed IPv6 communication.
Distractor review
It can be used only on the local link and is never routed.
This is wrong because that describes link-local scope.
Distractor review
It is used only for loopback testing inside a device.
This is wrong because that describes the loopback address, not global unicast.
Distractor review
It is created only when EUI-64 is disabled.
This is wrong because global unicast addressing is not dependent on that condition.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A frequent exam trap is mistaking the global unicast IPv6 address for a link-local or loopback address. Link-local addresses are confined to the local network segment and never routed, while loopback addresses are used only for internal device testing. Candidates often confuse these scopes because all are IPv6 unicast addresses but serve very different purposes. Another trap is believing global unicast addresses depend on EUI-64 addressing, which is incorrect since global unicast addresses can be assigned regardless of EUI-64 usage. Understanding the address scope and routing capability is critical to avoid this confusion.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
A global unicast IPv6 address is a unique address assigned to an interface that is routable on the IPv6 internet or within an enterprise network. It functions similarly to a public IPv4 address, allowing devices to communicate across different networks via routing protocols. These addresses typically start with the prefix 2000::/3, ensuring global uniqueness and reachability. Unlike link-local or loopback addresses, global unicast addresses are designed for end-to-end communication beyond the local segment. The decision to use a global unicast address depends on the scope of communication required. If a device needs to communicate beyond its local link, a global unicast address is necessary. Cisco devices use these addresses in routing protocols such as OSPFv3 or EIGRP for IPv6 to establish neighbor relationships and exchange routing information. The address assignment can be manual or automatic, including SLAAC or DHCPv6, but the presence of a global unicast address is essential for routed IPv6 communication. A common exam trap is confusing global unicast addresses with link-local or loopback addresses. Link-local addresses (FE80::/10) are automatically assigned and only valid on the local link, never routed. Loopback addresses (::1) are used internally for testing and diagnostics. Misunderstanding these scopes can lead to incorrect answers. Practically, network engineers must ensure global unicast addresses are correctly assigned to interfaces that require external communication, while link-local addresses support routing protocol operations on local links.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- A global unicast IPv6 address uniquely identifies an interface and is routable across different IPv6 networks.
- Global unicast addresses typically use the 2000::/3 prefix, ensuring global uniqueness and reachability.
- Link-local IPv6 addresses are limited to local network segments and are never routed beyond the local link.
- Loopback IPv6 addresses (::1) are used internally on a device for testing and are not routable externally.
- Routing protocols like OSPFv3 and EIGRP for IPv6 require global unicast addresses to establish neighbor relationships.
- Global unicast IPv6 addresses can be assigned manually or automatically via SLAAC or DHCPv6, independent of EUI-64 usage.
- Confusing global unicast addresses with link-local or loopback addresses is a common exam mistake to avoid.
- Global unicast addresses enable end-to-end communication across networks, unlike link-local or loopback addresses.
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 global unicast IPv6 address uniquely identifies an interface and is routable across different IPv6 networks.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: It is the normal IPv6 address type used for routed communication across networks. — A global unicast IPv6 address is the normal IPv6 address type used for routed communication across networks. In practical terms, it plays the role that a normal public unicast IPv4 address plays in routed IPv4 communication. Unlike a link-local address, it is not limited to the local segment only. This question tests whether you can separate IPv6 address scope correctly. The common mistake is to confuse global unicast with link-local or loopback addressing.
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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