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N10-009 Networking Concepts Practice Question

Which of the following IPv6 addresses is a valid link-local address?

⚠ Common exam trap

The N10-009 exam often tests the distinction between link-local (fe80::/10) and unique local (fc00::/7) or global unicast (2000::/3) addresses, and candidates frequently confuse the fe80 prefix with multicast or documentation ranges.

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

✓

fe80::1

Link-local addresses in IPv6 always start with the prefix fe80::/10, and fe80::1 is a valid example. These addresses are automatically configured on interfaces for local link communication and are not routable beyond the local network segment.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

  • ✓

    fe80::1

    Why this is correct

    This address is a valid IPv6 link-local unicast address because it falls within the fe80::/10 prefix range, which is specifically designated for link-local communication. Link-local addresses are automatically configured on all IPv6 interfaces and are used for communication only within the local network segment, such as for Neighbor Discovery Protocol (NDP) operations and stateless address autoconfiguration (SLAAC). The ::1 suffix is a common host identifier for the first address on a link, making fe80::1 a typical example.

  • ✗

    2001:db8::1

    Why it's wrong here

    The address 2001:db8::1 is an IPv6 global unicast address, specifically part of the 2001:db8::/32 prefix reserved by RFC 3849 for use in examples and documentation. Global unicast addresses are publicly routable across the internet, similar to public IPv4 addresses, and are intended for end-to-end communication worldwide. This makes it fundamentally different in scope and purpose from a link-local address, which is confined to a single network segment and not routable beyond it.

    When this WOULD be correct

    This would be correct if the question asked for a valid global unicast address or an example of a documentation address (RFC 3849).

  • ✗

    ff02::1

    Why it's wrong here

    The address ff02::1 is an IPv6 multicast address, specifically the 'all-nodes' multicast address, which is used to send traffic to all IPv6-enabled devices on the local link. Multicast addresses are identified by the ff00::/8 prefix and are distinct from unicast addresses, which are designed for one-to-one communication. While it operates on the local link, ff02::1 is not a link-local unicast address, as requested by the question, but rather a group communication address for all nodes.

    When this WOULD be correct

    This option would be correct for a question asking 'Which IPv6 address is used to send traffic to all nodes on the local link?' or 'Which of the following is a well-known IPv6 multicast address?'

  • ✗

    10.0.0.1

    Why it's wrong here

    The address 10.0.0.1 is an IPv4 address, specifically a private address from the 10.0.0.0/8 range, and is therefore not a valid IPv6 address. IPv6 addresses are 128 bits long and represented in hexadecimal format, often using colon-separated groups, whereas IPv4 addresses are 32 bits long and represented in dotted-decimal notation. This fundamental difference in format, length, and addressing scheme makes 10.0.0.1 incompatible with the IPv6 standard.

    When this WOULD be correct

    If the question were 'Which of the following is a valid private IPv4 address?', then 10.0.0.1 would be correct as it falls within the 10.0.0.0/8 private range.

Option-by-option analysis

Why each answer is right or wrong

Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The N10-009 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.

✓fe80::1Correct answer▾

Why this is correct

This address is a valid IPv6 link-local unicast address because it falls within the fe80::/10 prefix range, which is specifically designated for link-local communication. Link-local addresses are automatically configured on all IPv6 interfaces and are used for communication only within the local network segment, such as for Neighbor Discovery Protocol (NDP) operations and stateless address autoconfiguration (SLAAC). The ::1 suffix is a common host identifier for the first address on a link, making fe80::1 a typical example.

✗2001:db8::1Wrong answer — click to see why▾

Why this is wrong here

The address 2001:db8::1 is a global unicast address (2001:db8::/32 is reserved for documentation), not a link-local address. Link-local addresses must start with fe80::/10.

★ When this WOULD be the correct answer

This would be correct if the question asked for a valid global unicast address or an example of a documentation address (RFC 3849).

Why candidates choose this

Candidates may confuse the prefix 2001:db8::/32 with link-local prefixes, or mistakenly think any IPv6 address with a double colon is link-local.

✗ff02::1Wrong answer — click to see why▾

Why this is wrong here

ff02::1 is an IPv6 multicast address (all-nodes link-local multicast), not a link-local unicast address. Link-local addresses start with fe80::/10.

★ When this WOULD be the correct answer

This option would be correct for a question asking 'Which IPv6 address is used to send traffic to all nodes on the local link?' or 'Which of the following is a well-known IPv6 multicast address?'

Why candidates choose this

Candidates may confuse link-local addresses with multicast addresses because both are used for local network communication, or they may misremember the prefix fe80 as ff80.

✗10.0.0.1Wrong answer — click to see why▾

Why this is wrong here

This is an IPv4 address, not an IPv6 address. The question specifically asks for a valid IPv6 link-local address, and 10.0.0.1 is in the private IPv4 range.

★ When this WOULD be the correct answer

If the question were 'Which of the following is a valid private IPv4 address?', then 10.0.0.1 would be correct as it falls within the 10.0.0.0/8 private range.

Why candidates choose this

Candidates may confuse IPv4 and IPv6 addressing, or mistakenly think that any private address qualifies as link-local, not realizing link-local is an IPv6 concept with a specific prefix (fe80::/10).

Analysis generated from the official N10-009blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”

About these practice questions

One of 464 original N10-009 practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →

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Same concept, more angles

1 more way this is tested on N10-009

These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.

Variation 1. Which of the following IPv6 addresses is a link-local address?

easy
  • A.2001:db8::1
  • ✓ B.fe80::1
  • C.ff02::1
  • D.2000::/3

Why B: (fe80::1) is correct because IPv6 link-local addresses always begin with the prefix fe80::/10, as defined in RFC 4291. These addresses are automatically assigned to every IPv6-enabled interface and are only valid on a single link (subnet), never routed. The address fe80::1 is a common example of a link-local address.

JA

Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security

Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva

This N10-009 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the N10-009 exam.