This 350-501 practice question tests your understanding of networking. 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. 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 THREE of the following are required for successful operation of OSPFv3 in an IPv6 service provider network?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Interface activation with 'ipv6 ospf <process> area <area>'
Option A is correct because OSPFv3 requires interface-level activation using the 'ipv6 ospf <process> area <area>' command to enable the OSPFv3 process on a specific interface and associate it with an area. Without this, the interface will not participate in OSPFv3 neighbor discovery or routing updates, even if the process is configured globally.
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.
✓
Interface activation with 'ipv6 ospf <process> area <area>'
Why this is correct
Each interface must be explicitly activated for OSPFv3.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
OSPFv3 process configuration with router-id
Why this is correct
A router-id is required for the OSPFv3 process.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
IPv6 unicast routing enabled globally
Why this is correct
IPv6 routing must be enabled to forward IPv6 packets.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
OSPFv3 authentication configured
Why it's wrong here
Authentication is optional and not required for basic operation.
✗
OSPFv3 LSA type 9 for link-local addresses
Why it's wrong here
LSA type 9 is automatically generated, not a configuration requirement.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that OSPFv3 authentication is mandatory, but it is optional and uses IPsec AH/ESP headers, not the simple authentication mechanisms of OSPFv2.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
OSPFv3 (RFC 5340) runs directly over IPv6 and uses link-local addresses for neighbor discovery, requiring the 'ipv6 unicast-routing' global command to enable IPv6 forwarding. The router-id must be explicitly configured because OSPFv3 does not derive it from IPv6 addresses; without a router-id, the OSPFv3 process will not start. In real-world service provider networks, missing any of these three prerequisites (interface activation, router-id, unicast routing) will prevent OSPFv3 from forming adjacencies or exchanging routes.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Networking — This question tests Networking — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Interface activation with 'ipv6 ospf <process> area <area>' — Option A is correct because OSPFv3 requires interface-level activation using the 'ipv6 ospf <process> area <area>' command to enable the OSPFv3 process on a specific interface and associate it with an area. Without this, the interface will not participate in OSPFv3 neighbor discovery or routing updates, even if the process is configured globally.
What should I do if I get this 350-501 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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Question Discussion
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