Which IPv6 Addressing Methods Include MAC Addresses for Packet Tracing?
A network administrator is switching to IPv6 and wants to be able to use packet-tracing software on the network to monitor traffic. The administrator wants to set up the IP addressing to include the MAC address of each machine that is connected. Which of the following should the administrator implement? (Choose two.)
Community Votes
80% of anonymous learners picked answer AE. Votes are pick records left by other test-takers — they are not the verified answer.
Community Insight
The question tests whether you understand that SLAAC uses EUI-64 to embed MAC-derived interface identifiers in IPv6 addresses, not DHCPv6 and not APIPA.
For the CompTIA Network+ N10-008 exam, the correct two answers are EUI-64 and SLAAC: EUI-64 derives a 64-bit IPv6 interface identifier from a device's MAC address, and SLAAC automatically configures the address using that identifier. Community discussion strongly favors AE, with 80% of respondents selecting this pair.
The common wrong answer is AD (EUI-64 + DHCPv6), because DHCPv6 is another IPv6 configuration method but it is stateful and does not incorporate the client MAC address into the address, so it would not satisfy the requirement.
Community Discussion (3 comments)
Comments & Corrections
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Expert Analysis
Why the Answer Is Correct
EUI-64 extends a 48-bit MAC address into a 64-bit IPv6 interface identifier by inserting FFFE and flipping the U/L bit. SLAAC (Stateless Address Autoconfiguration) uses this EUI-64 interface identifier to let each host generate its own global IPv6 address, meaning the address is derived directly from the machine's MAC address.
Comment [1] explains that EUI-64 'allows the automatic generation of a 64-bit interface identifier for IPv6 addresses based on the device's MAC address' and that SLAAC 'uses the EUI-64 method to generate IPv6 addresses automatically.' Comment [2] reaches the same conclusion, selecting EUI-64 and SLAAC. This matches the IPv6 addressing objectives in Network+.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
B (RFC1819) is not an IPv6 configuration method; it is an old protocol specification and does not produce MAC-based interface identifiers. C (APIPA) is IPv4 link-local addressing in the 169.254.0.0/16 range, not IPv6. D (DHCPv6) is a stateful DHCP service for IPv6 that can assign addresses and other configuration information, but it does not normally map the assigned IPv6 address to the client's MAC address, so it fails the 'include the MAC address' test.
The 20% who voted AD may have recognized DHCPv6 as an IPv6 assignment method while overlooking that the question specifically requires MAC-derived addresses. As comment [3] shows, that group treated DHCPv6 as plausible, but DHCPv6 and APIPA do not fulfill the stated purpose.
Community Comment Notes
The community is overwhelmingly aligned, with roughly 80% of voters selecting AE and supportive comments explaining the relationship between EUI-64 and SLAAC. Comments [1] and [2] both provide correct rationales and were rated useful. The remaining comment [3] is an outlier and is best used as a reminder of why DHCPv6, although a valid IPv6 assignment method, does not meet the MAC-address requirement.
Official Reference
Exam Strategy
When an IPv6 question mentions MAC addresses, monitorability, or automatic configuration, look for the pair SLAAC and EUI-64 before considering any DHCP-based option. Remember that DHCPv6 is stateful and can be selectively tested, but it does not derive an interface ID from the MAC address as SLAAC/EUI-64 does.