CREST Practitioner Security Analyst (CPSA) Practice

Which of the following is a notable feature of IPv6?

1. It allows broadcasting of packets

2. It employs Anycast addressing

3. It is easier to configure than IPv4

4. It supports dynamic addressing only

The correct answer is: It employs Anycast addressing

The notable feature of IPv6 is its use of Anycast addressing. Anycast is a network addressing and routing method in which data is sent from a single sender to the nearest member of a multicast group. This addresses the need for efficient routing of data packets, allowing multiple devices to share the same address. In an Anycast setup, packets sent to an Anycast address are routed to the closest device in the group, improving performance and reliability in network communication. This feature is particularly advantageous in scenarios such as content delivery networks and distributed services because it enables a single address to serve multiple locations. The network can then direct the traffic to the nearest available server, enhancing response times and load balancing. In contrast, broadcasting of packets, which is more prevalent in IPv4, is not a feature of IPv6 as it was deliberately omitted to prevent broadcast storms and improve the overall efficiency of the network. While IPv6 does indeed offer easier configuration features like Stateless Address Autoconfiguration (SLAAC), it's the Anycast addressing that stands out as a distinctive characteristic that significantly differentiates it from its predecessor, IPv4. Furthermore, while IPv6 supports both dynamic and static addressing, the implication that it supports dynamic addressing only is inaccurate, as it also accommodates static