What is the VRRP virtual MAC address format?

The VRRP (Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol) virtual MAC address uses a specific format that allows multiple routers to operate as a single virtual router, providing redundancy and high availability in network configurations. The correct format for a VRRP virtual MAC address begins with "0000.5e", followed by a designated identifier that corresponds to the virtual router ID, typically represented in hexadecimal. This structure is essential for ensuring that traffic destined for the virtual router is properly handled by the active router in the VRRP group.

In this case, the correct choice highlights the specific MAC address prefix associated with VRRP, which ensures that the virtual router is recognizable on the local network for message routing purposes. The use of a unique MAC address format avoids any conflict with physical MAC addresses allocated to individual devices.

The other formats listed do not conform to the VRRP specification. For example, the prefix "0000.0c9f.fXXX" and the other choices represent different protocols or uses unrelated to VRRP. Understanding the specific MAC address structure associated with VRRP helps in implementing and troubleshooting this protocol effectively in networking scenarios.