350-401 Architecture Practice Question
A network engineer is comparing first-hop redundancy options for a campus access layer. The requirement is to provide gateway redundancy for IPv6 hosts while also allowing load sharing between two routers, and the solution must use an open standard rather than a Cisco-proprietary protocol. Which FHRP should the engineer select?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that any FHRP supporting IPv6 also satisfies the open-standard requirement, when HSRP and GLBP remain Cisco-proprietary.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP) version 3
VRRPv3 is an IETF open standard that supports IPv6 and allows multiple routers to participate in gateway redundancy, with load sharing achievable through multiple virtual router groups. It is the only listed option that is both open standard and suited to IPv6 first-hop redundancy with load sharing.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Proxy Address Resolution Protocol (Proxy ARP)
Why it's wrong here
Proxy ARP lets a router answer ARP requests on behalf of hosts on another subnet, but it is not a first-hop redundancy protocol. It provides no virtual gateway, no failover, and no load sharing. For IPv6 the analogous function would be proxy Neighbor Discovery, not a redundancy solution, so Proxy ARP cannot meet this requirement.
- ✗
Gateway Load Balancing Protocol (GLBP)
Why it's wrong here
GLBP provides gateway redundancy with built-in load balancing, but it is a Cisco-proprietary protocol. The scenario explicitly requires an open standard, so GLBP fails that criterion even though it offers load sharing. It also has broader IPv6 support limitations in some platforms, reinforcing that it is not the right selection here.
- ✗
Hot Standby Router Protocol (HSRP) version 2
Why it's wrong here
HSRP is Cisco-proprietary, and although HSRPv2 supports IPv6 and group ranges, it does not meet the open-standard requirement. It also normally provides active/standby operation, and even with multiple groups load sharing is achieved by configuration rather than by protocol design. Because the scenario requires an open standard, HSRP is not the correct choice.
- ✓
Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP) version 3
Why this is correct
VRRPv3 is an open standard defined by the IETF and supports both IPv4 and IPv6. It allows multiple routers to share a virtual IP and can be configured for load sharing across groups. Since the scenario requires IPv6 gateway redundancy with an open standard, VRRPv3 satisfies all stated conditions.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
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