Cisco CCNA (200-301)Network FundamentalsMedium

Which IPv6 address is automatically configured on every IPv6-enabled interface and is used only for communication within the local link, never routed beyond it?

  1. AA global unicast address beginning with 2001::
  2. BA multicast address beginning with FF00::
  3. CA link-local address beginning with FE80::
  4. DA unique local address beginning with FC00::
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C. A link-local address beginning with FE80::

Link-local addresses (FE80::/10) are automatically assigned to every IPv6 interface and are used for communication with other devices on the same physical link, such as neighbor discovery and routing protocol adjacencies; they are never forwarded by routers.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Global unicast addresses are routable across the internet, not link-restricted.
  • B. Multicast addresses target groups of hosts, not a per-interface unicast identity.
  • D. Unique local addresses are for private internal routing, not automatic link-only use.

IPv6 Link-Local Address

A link-local address (FE80::/10) is automatically assigned to every IPv6 interface for communication only within the local network segment.

  • Never routed off the local link
  • Used for protocols like OSPFv3 and NDP
  • Automatically generated via EUI-64 or random interface ID

Memory trick: FE80 stays local, like a note stuck to your own fridge.

More Network Fundamentals questions