Can the interface IP address and the VRRP virtual IP address be the same?

The correct understanding here is that the interface IP address and the VRRP virtual IP address can indeed be the same. In a Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP) setup, the virtual IP address is the address that hosts use as their default gateway. A router participating in VRRP can use its own interface IP address as the VRRP virtual IP address, allowing it to serve as a valid gateway for devices on the network while also presenting a redundancy mechanism.

Utilizing the same IP for both the interface and the virtual IP provides simplicity in configuration and can help in environments where straightforward routing is required. This practice still maintains the overall goal of VRRP, which is to provide high availability by allowing backup routers to take over should the primary router fail.

While there may be some scenarios where it’s advisable to keep these addresses distinct to avoid possible routing complications or address conflicts, under typical circumstances, having them the same is compatible with VRRP functionality.

The other options do not capture this fundamental behavior of VRRP, which is why the statement that they can be the same is indeed an accurate reflection of how the protocol can be configured.